Severe Flooding Closes GA Roads, Causes Travel Nightmares

ATLANTA, GA — Rolling overnight storms left some metro Atlanta roads underwater, leaving cars stranded and forcing street closures due to flooding Friday morning.

Flash flood warnings went out across the metro as rain soaked communities, leaving lingering impacts for early morning commuters. Warnings for DeKalb, Cobb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties expired at 6:30 a.m.

The National Weather Service's Ryan Willis told Patch the heaviest rain fell from Paulding County through central Cobb, across north central Fulton (including Buckhead up to Sandy Springs), across northern DeKalb (including Chamblee and Tucker) and into southern Gwinnett.

These areas received about 3-4 inches of rain while the rest of metro Atlanta experienced about 1.5 inches to just over 2 inches.

"It was a lot of rain, especially given we've been pretty dry for quite some time," Willis said.

Some creeks had minor flooding, and streets were swamped with water, particularly in places with poor drainage. Willis said much of the water has begun draining.

At least two cars had to be towed after pools of water flowed down Pharr Road in hard-hit Buckhead, WANF-TV reported. A map from 511GA, operated by state transportation officials, showed a right lane remain blocked.

Drivers creeped through sitting water on an Interstate 285 on-ramp at Riverside Drive in Sandy Springs, WXIA-TV's Doug Turnbull said.

Near Georgia Tech, water on North Avenue between Yancey Street Northwest and State Street caused a car to be submerged under the Marietta Street overpass, WAGA-TV reported.

Cobb is one of the latest areas to announce a street closure as Floyd Road was shut down between Clay Road and Landers Drive in Mableton.

Local government officials say the flooding occurred in the 5100 block of Floyd Road. Traffic was detoured from Landers to Barnes Drive.

Mableton Mayor Michael Owens said the flooding has led to the county issuing a stop work order for construction near the impacted area.

"At this time, it is not yet clear whether the flooding is directly related to construction activity," Owens said. "However, out of an abundance of caution, all work has been halted until the cause of the issue can be fully identified and appropriate corrective actions are taken."

He added transportation officials and a contractor have been working since 2 a.m. to remove water from the road. Floyd will not reopen until an inspection is completed, Owens said.

"Our inspection team is on site conducting assessments and will continue to monitor the situation closely," he said. "There is currently no confirmed ETA for reopening. Motorists should continue to avoid Floyd Road between Landers Drive and Clay Road and use alternate routes ... Please know that the City of Mableton is fully engaged, and I am personally monitoring this situation. We will ensure the cause is identified and that all necessary steps are taken to protect the safety of our residents before any work resumes."

Not only were some cars stalled, but several crashes happened Friday morning.

Around 10:30 a.m., 511GA showed a right lane was blocked due to a crash on Interstate 85 south at Pleasantdale Road in DeKalb County.

There was also a crash on the Interstate 75 north exit to Forest Parkway in Clayton County.

All lanes were closed on State Route 331 north at I-75.

The remainder of Friday should be much drier though an isolated light shower cannot be ruled out, Willis said. Skies will be mostly cloudy, and temperatures are expected to warm into the early 60s.

The weekend should be clear of rain. Willis said high temperatures may climb up to an estimated 70 degrees on Saturday and low to mid-70s on Sunday in metro Atlanta.

Here is the National Weather Service's Friday morning detailed forecast for metro Atlanta:

Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 67. Northeast wind around 5 mph.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 67. Northeast wind around 5 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47. Calm wind.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 66.

Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59.

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.

Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76.