Satilla River Flood Warning Continues for Waycross, Atkinson Areas
The Satilla River is flooding near Waycross and is forecast to exceed flood stage at Atkinson by Wednesday morning, threatening boat ramps, roadways, and residences across three Georgia counties.
WAYCROSS, GEORGIA — The National Weather Service office in Jacksonville, Florida, issued a continued flood warning Tuesday evening for the Satilla River at two locations in southeast Georgia, affecting Pierce, Ware, and Brantley counties as minor flooding is already underway.
The warning, issued June 23 at 9:01 p.m. EDT, covers the Satilla River at Waycross and the Satilla River at Atkinson. The Waycross location warning is in effect from Tuesday evening until further notice, while the Atkinson location warning begins Wednesday morning and also remains in effect until further notice.
Current Conditions at Waycross
Minor flooding is actively occurring along the Satilla River at Waycross, with additional minor flooding forecast to continue, according to the National Weather Service. Several areas are already experiencing flood impacts depending on river stage levels.
At 16.0 feet, flooding begins affecting agricultural and timberland areas. At that level, the Jamestown Road Boat Ramp on the Ware County side is flooded, and both the boat ramp and dirt access roads at the Pierce/Brantley county line near the State Road 121 Bridge are also flooded.
As the river rises to 17.0 feet, the Jamestown Road Boat Ramp parking lot and its access road on the Ware County side become flooded, and Simmons Trail floods, cutting off access to one residence. On the Pierce County side, golf course holes 14 through 16 at the Okefenokee Country Club begin to flood at that stage.
At 18.0 feet, additional flooding continues on the Pierce County side, with further impacts to the Okefenokee Country Club course.
Atkinson Gauge Forecast to Exceed Flood Stage
The Satilla River at Atkinson, which affects Brantley County, recorded a stage of 11.6 feet as of 8:45 p.m. EDT Tuesday — still below the 13.0-foot flood stage threshold at that location. However, forecasters expect the river to rise above flood stage by late Wednesday morning.
The river is forecast to continue rising and reach 15.2 feet by Friday evening, with additional rises possible after that point, according to the National Weather Service. Flooding warnings for this location take effect Wednesday morning and remain in place until further notice.
At 13.0 feet, Warners Landing, Louis Landing, and secondary roads around KOA campgrounds begin to flood at the Atkinson gauge location. If the river reaches 14.0 feet, River Rock Road will experience flooding across the roadway.
Residents Urged to Monitor River Conditions
The National Weather Service is directing residents and travelers in Pierce, Ware, and Brantley counties to monitor river conditions closely as levels are expected to remain elevated through at least the weekend. Additional information on river stages and forecasts is available through the NWS Jacksonville water resources page at water.weather.gov/wfo/JAX.
General flood safety guidance is also available at weather.gov/safety/flood. Residents near low-lying areas along the Satilla River corridor are advised to avoid flooded roads and boat ramps and to stay away from any areas identified as flood-prone at elevated river stages.
