River Flood Warning Issued For Big Creek: Georgia Weather

NORTH FULTON/SOUTH FORSYTH, GA — After intense overnight storms in the metro Atlanta area Thursday night into Friday morning, the National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for the Big Creek area.

The recent heavy rainfall has caused significant runoff into streams and rivers, which has caused flooding in some areas. All people with interests along the river should monitor the latest forecasts, and be prepared to take necessary precautions to protect life and property.

The warning will run from Friday afternoon until Saturday afternoon. The NWS reported that at 7 a.m. Friday, the flood stage was estimated to be around 6 feet and rising.

Flood stage is the level a body of water's surface has risen to cause sufficient inundation of areas that are not normally covered by water, causing an inconvenience or a threat to life and/or property. At 7 feet, flood stage is reached for Big Creek, NWS said.

The NWS reported the forecast will rise above flood stage by Friday afternoon, and continue to rise to near 7.3 feet by Friday evening. By late Saturday morning, the river will fall below flood stage, NWS said.

Minor flooding of woodlands and fields will begin along the creek between Cumming, Alpharetta and Roswell.

Flooding has started to effect portions of the Big Creek Greenway near Alpharetta, causing it to be closed as of Friday morning. Some portions may close with around 1 foot of water, especially upstream and downstream from the Gage on Kimball Bridge Road and near Rock Mill Park.

Portions of the YMCA Campground off Preston Ridge Road will also begin to flood.

Additionally, the NWS has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for portions of North and Central Georgia.

Scattered thunderstorms can be expected Friday, especially during the afternoon and evening hours. Some strong thunderstorms will be possible. The main hazards will be strong to possibly damaging wind gusts, heavy rainfall, and frequent lightning.

Then from Saturday to Thursday, scattered to numerous thunderstorms can be expected each day with the greatest thunderstorm chances during the afternoon and evening hours. Strong to isolated severe storms will be possible and could produce strong gusty winds, frequent lightning and heavy rainfall. Heavy rainfall could lead to localized flooding in flood prone areas.

The forecast for this weekend is:

Friday
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. West wind around 5 mph.

Friday night
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 3 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Saturday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Saturday Night
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Sunday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

Sunday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.