SUMMERVILLE — Thunderstorms and heavy rain pounded parts of northwest Georgia on Sunday, sparking flash flooding in some areas and prompting Gov. Brian Kemp to declare a state of emergency.
Local news reports showed roads under water and homeowners struggling to keep water out.
The National Weather Service said rainfall of up to 1 inch per hour was causing creeks, streams, roadways and urban areas to experience unusually high levels of water. Up to 10 inches of rain was reported to have fallen in Chattooga County.
“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 weather service declared a “flash flood emergency” for Summerville, Lyerly and James H. Floyd State Park in Chattooga County. Floyd County — just to the south — was also under a flash flood warning.
At 3:10 p.m., the forecasters remained ominous with an update on the storms: “We hope and pray that this round will not be as extreme, please prepare for the worst.”
In a tweet on Sunday afternoon, Kemp wrote: “Following severe flooding in North Georgia today, I have declared a State of Emergency in Chattooga and Floyd Counties. As we work w/ local partners to address the damage in affected communities, Marty and I are asking all Georgians to join us in praying for those impacted.”
As noted in the emergency executive order, the rainfall totals “will likely continue to cause rivers to rise rapidly.”
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.
