It looks like the worst is over…at least for now. At 7:15 p.m. Tuesday the National Weather Service lifted the last remaining Flood Advisory for North Georgia. The advisory was issued several hours earlier due to flooding on the Soque River in Clarkesville.
By early evening the river had crested and the water began to recede. There were a few spots of standing water in Pitts Park in Clarkesville late Tuesday, but the flooding was nowhere near as bad as it has been in the past. The park, which sits adjacent to the Soque River, is prone to severe flooding and was underwater last week.
While there was minor flooding reported in Habersham and White counties, it was nothing like many had feared. Although a lot of rain fell, rainfall rates overnight Monday into Tuesday were lower than predicted and that eased up concerns of flash flooding.
By early afternoon, the National Weather Service canceled its Flash Flood Watch for North Georgia.
Turners Corner west of Cleveland recorded 4.72 inches or rainfall over a 24-hour period Monday in Tuesday, according to WRWH weather reporter Bill Kinsland.
The rain caused some flooding in parts of White County and temporarily closed two county roads, but other than that there were no reports of any major problems.
Habersham County and other area counties also weathered the storm well. There have been no reports of serious accidents or major damage.
Habersham County Emergency Management Director Lynn Smith says canceling school helped. “I think school being out has helped with some of the traffic and accidents,” she says.
Schools were closed in Habersham, Gilmer, and Union counties due to the threat of severe weather. Some other area schools opened late. Stephens, Rabun, and White County Schools kept to their regulars schedules but did not report any problems.
At least one flood gate on Mathis Dam in Rabun County was opened. Emergency management there cautioned more gates could drop due to the overflow caused by rain and snow.
Throughout the day, local public safety officials urged drivers to be careful and avoid flooded roads.
“It only takes six inches [of water] to lose traction and 12 inches of water to sweep a vehicle downstream if you were to encounter a swift water situation,” cautions Habersham County Emergency Services Director Chad Black.
Within just the span of one week, Georgia has gone from 70 degree temperatures, to flooding, to snow, and now flooding again. Gwinnett County even reported an earthquake last week.
Black muses, you “just can’t beat the Georgia weather.”
More rain on way
The weather dried up by early evening Tuesday but that may not last long; there’s more rain in the forecast.
The forecast calls for more rain this week. It will be heavy at times and the National Weather Service says that could cause more flooding.
