GA Weather: Flash Flood Watch In Effect Through Tuesday Night

GEORGIA — A flash flood watch is in effect for much of north Georgia Monday and into Tuesday night, the National Weather Service said

The first round of heavy rain will be moving in Monday afternoon and continue through midday Tuesday. Two to four inches of rain is expected with local amounts as high as six inches. With saturated soil and very high stream flow, runoff from the heavy rain will be enhanced, leading to a greater threat of flash flooding, NWS said.

Moderate to heavy rainfall will continue across much of north and central Georgia on Tuesday. Additional heavy rain is predicted for Wednesday night and Thursday, and will further increase flooding concerns across the area.

Strong to potentially severe thunderstorms are possible across portions of western Georgia Wednesday afternoon and evening.

Flash flooding and minor to moderate flooding of larger creeks and rivers is expected. This will close some roads and could flood homes and businesses in flood-prone areas. Along larger creeks and rivers, flooding could last for several days.

A flash flood watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding.

Additionally, the National Weather Service has issued a flood warning from Tuesday morning until late Thursday night for Big Creek near Alpharetta, affecting Forsyth and Fulton counties.

Recent heavy rainfall has caused significant runoff into streams and rivers which will cause flooding in some areas.

At 10 a.m. Monday, the stage was 3.8 feet, and steady. Minor flooding is forecast. Flood stage is 7 feet.

The forecast expects the creek to rise above flood stage by Tuesday morning and continue to rise to near 10 feet by Wednesday early afternoon. The river will fall below flood stage by Thursday evening.

At 10 feet, minor flooding expands along the creek from near Cumming to Alpharetta and Roswell. Backyards of homes off Seale Drive and Gunter Court and portions of the Golf of Georgia are under a foot of water.

The Big Creek Greenway experiences significant flooding up to 4 feet deep with closure of the paths. This especially occurs upstream and downstream from the gage on Kimball Bridge Road and Rock Mill Park. A large portion of the YMCA Campground off Preston Ridge Road will be under a two feet of water.

Week forecast:

Monday afternoon

Showers likely, mainly after 4 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 60. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Monday night

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 a.m., then showers likely between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 4 a.m. Low around 58. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Tuesday

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1 p.m., then showers likely between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. High near 68. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Tuesday night

Showers likely, mainly before 8pm. Cloudy, with a low around 53. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Wednesday

A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Wednesday night

Showers, mainly after 8 p.m. Low around 59. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent.

Thursday
Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 8 a.m. High near 62. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent.

Thursday night

Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Friday
Sunny, with a high near 50.