Flash Flooding Strikes Southeast Georgia Counties; Big Creek Near Atlanta Shows Minor Flooding
Severe thunderstorms dumped up to 6 inches of rain across Jenkins and Screven counties, triggering flash flood warnings and threatening roadways.
MILLEN, GEORGIA — Severe thunderstorms brought up to 6 inches of rain to southeastern Georgia counties on May 28, leading to flash flood warnings from the National Weather Service as standing water posed a threat to roadways and low-lying areas.
The heaviest rainfall occurred between 4:30 PM and 8:00 PM EDT on Tuesday across Jenkins and Screven counties. Doppler radar indicated between 4 and 6 inches of rain fell from Herndon to Butts, Thrift, and Emmalane, according to the National Weather Service Charleston office.
Multiple Counties Under Flash Flood Warnings
Flash flood warnings were issued for Jenkins County and Screven County in southeastern Georgia until 8:00 PM EDT on Tuesday. The National Weather Service reported that thunderstorms with torrential rainfall remained nearly stationary over the affected areas.
Locations experiencing flash flooding included Millen, Butts, Emmalane, Scarboro, Herndon, Four Points, Lincoln State Park, Thrift, Jenkins County Hospital, and Rogers. The flooding impacted small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets, and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas.
By 6:30 PM EDT Tuesday, radar showed light to moderate rain slowly weakening over much of western and southern Jenkins County. Weather officials said additional flooding was unlikely, but the risk for ongoing flash flooding, including washed out roadways, continued.
North Georgia Counties Also Affected
Separate flash flood warnings were issued for north central Georgia on May 26, affecting southwestern Gilmer County, west central Pickens County, eastern Gordon County, and southeastern Murray County. Between 1.5 and 2.5 inches of rain fell in those areas, with additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 1.5 inches possible.
Communities experiencing flash flooding in the northern region included Fairmount, Ranger, Oakman, Carters, Ramhurst, Tails Creek, and Fort Mountain State Park. That warning remained in effect until 1:45 AM EDT on May 27.
Big Creek Flooding Near Atlanta
Minor flooding continued along Big Creek near Alpharetta, affecting Forsyth and Fulton counties. At 8:45 AM EDT on Tuesday, the creek stage measured 8 feet and remained steady, with flood stage beginning at 7 feet.
The National Weather Service Peachtree City office forecast the river would rise to a crest of 8.4 feet Wednesday morning before falling below flood stage Thursday afternoon. Minor flooding expanded into woodlands and fields along the creek from near Cumming in south Forsyth County to Alpharetta and Roswell in north Fulton County.
Portions of The Big Creek Greenway experienced minor flooding with 1 to 2 feet of water. Most walking and biking paths were closed, especially upstream and downstream from the gauge on Kimball Bridge Road and near Rock Mill Park. Portions of the YMCA Campground off Preston Ridge Road also flooded.
By 10:45 AM EDT Tuesday, the stage had dropped to 7.7 feet and was falling slowly, according to the National Weather Service. The flood warning for Big Creek remained in effect until Wednesday afternoon at 4:00 PM EDT.
