Emergency Declared After Flooding in Northwest Georgia

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Thunderstorms and heavy rain pounded parts of northwest Georgia over the Labor Day weekend, sparking flash flooding in some areas. Local news reports showed roads under water and homeowners struggling to keep water out, even as more storms moved in Monday.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency in Chattooga and Floyd Counties, directing all state resources to help with “preparation, response and recovery activities.” The National Weather Service said rainfall of up to one inch per hour was causing creeks, streams, roadways and urban areas to experience unusually high levels of water. Up to 12 inches of rain was estimated to have fallen in the area, according to Kemp’s executive order.

“This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order,” the service said.

The service declared a “flash flood emergency” for Trion, Summerville, Lyerly and James H. Floyd State Park in Chattooga County. Holland in Chattooga County and Floyd County — just to the south — was also under a flash flood warning.

At 3:10 p.m., the service advised locals to avoid non-emergency travel as another round of emergency rainfall entered the area.

The city of Summerville advised residents who use the city’s water utility services to boil water prior to drinking, cooking or preparing baby food due to flash flooding at the Raccoon Creek Filter plant.

“Water should be boiled for at least one minute after reaching a rolling boil. Citizens should continue to boil their water until they are notified by their drinking water utility that the water system has been restored to full operation, and that the microbiological quality of the water in the distribution system is safe for human consumption,” the city said on its website.

CNN Weather called it a 1,000-year rain event. This year has already seen several notable 1 in 1,000-year rainfall events, including in St. Louis, Texas, eastern Kentucky and Death Valley.

North Georgia isn’t the only region under threat this week, CNN reported. Flash flood watches were also in effect from Alabama to Maine, affecting more than 80 million people, including the cities of Birmingham, Atlanta, Nashville, Louisville, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New York and Boston.

Photo: Trash cans from a nearby park washed up outside of the Coach Inn Sunday in Summerville, Georgia. After heavy rainfall, a flash flood warning was issued. (Olivia Ross/Chattanooga Times Free Press via AP)