Severe Storms Cause Flooded Roads, Closures Across Georgia

GEORGIA — Heavy rain overnight into Wednesday caused flooding in the metro Atlanta area with reports of a couple of possible tornadoes, said Samuel Marlow, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Peachtree City office.

Marlow told Patch the weather service has also received reports of damaging winds.

A flash flood warning is in effect until noon Wednesday for southern Cherokee, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, southwestern Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, southeastern Paulding and other counties.

A flood watch is in effect until 7 p.m. Wednesday for Barrow, Cherokee, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Fulton, Clarke and Paulding counties.

Marlow said showers can be expected through the early afternoon hours but should begin to clear out afterwards with a possibility for light sprinkles.

He urged people to watch out for flooded roadways and practice safe driving.

The storms have prompted some issues with roads in the metro area Thursday morning, including:

• A flooded road in Suwanee, according to city officials. Martin Farm Road is flooded. Drivers are asked to avoid the area.
• A flooded road in Johns Creek, according to the police department. There was standing water at Hanstedt Trace, causing a temporary road closure in the 4600 block.
• A flooded road in Milton, according to the police department. Lively Road is flooded and is temporarily closed due to water levels.
• Closures in Cobb County, according to county officials. Noonday Park in Kennesaw and the park on Robinson Road are closed due to flooding until further notice. East Cobb Park is reopening at 1 p.m. Wednesday after being closed due to flooding, according to Cobb County Athletics.
• Road closures in Forsyth County, according to the sheriff's office. Nicholson Road at Old Federal Road is closed due to flooding. Martin Road westbound is reopened after being closed at GA-400 due to flooding. Bettis Tribble Gap at Spot Road is reopened after being closed due to a tree blocking the road. Doc Sam's Road at Canton Highway and Settingdown Circle at Bottoms Road are closed due to flooding. Castleberry at Majors is now clear after seeing some flooding. Settingdown Road, between GA-400 and the Hamptons, is reopened after being closed due to flooding. Drivers are asked to take alternate routes.
• Standing water and road closures throughout Clarke County, according to the police department. Drivers were asked to use caution. Charlie Bolton Road is closed for repairs due to flooding between Smithonia and Lem Edwards roads. Olympic Drive between Hancock Industrial Boulevard and Athena Drive is damaged and will be closed for repairs. Drivers are asked to avoid the areas. Detour signs will be placed.
• Flooded roadways in Bartow County, according to the sheriff's office. Among the affected roads are Cass White, Simpson, Spring Place and Old Grassdale. The sheriff's office reported several people stranded in flooded cars and homes.
• Flooded roadways in Cherokee County, according to the sheriff's office. Johnson Brady and Bells Ferry roads are affected. Bells Ferry traffic is being rerouted to Wooten and Sixes roads, and Johnson Brady was closed to traffic. A traffic light was out at Knox Bridge and Butterworth. Drivers were asked to use caution. Highway 369, which was temporarily closed Highway 20 to Highway 372, has reopened.
• Road closures in Roswell, according to the police department. East Crossville Road, Highway 92 westbound, is reopened at Mansell Road after being closed due to flooding. Azalea Drive between Willeo Road and Highway 9/Atlanta Street is closed. Drivers were asked to not attempt to drive through standing water on the roads. The police department reported a car that was stuck on a flooded roadway. "Water on the roadway can be deceptively deep and exceedingly dangerous. Just 6 inches of water can immobilize many passenger cars, 12 inches is capable of moving a small car and 2 feet can dislodge and carry away most vehicles," the police department said.
• Flooding in Buckhead, according to Channel 2 Action News. Flooding is at GA-400 northbound at Lenox Road, exit 1, has lanes blocked.

Patch will continue to update the list of closures as we learn of roadways reopening.