ROSWELL, Ga. — The Roswell Fire Department is preparing for rain to come through the area Friday night and is asking residents to do the same.
“We’re constantly monitoring for changes in the weather forecast, if it shifts one way or another, if we're getting more rain than predicted or if there's other hazards that come about,” said Battalion Chief Jason Dooley.
He talked with 11Alive Friday afternoon near the Chattahoochee River off Azalea Road in Roswell.
“This area right here next to the Chattahoochee River, it's a very low-lying area,” said Dooley, adding the parking lot and the street can flood with enough rain.
He said the rain earlier in the week caused flooding and four cars, ignored the barriers on Azalea Road, stalled out in the floodwaters.
“That morning, we closed the road off, had blockades up. We were having an issue with cars driving around the blockade and getting stuck in the floodwaters,” he said. “So it’s important for folks to know that if the road's closed off, don't go around the barriers. Make sure you stay out of that area for your own safety.”
Dooley said it doesn't take a lot of water to flood or wash away a car.
“So if those people aren't able to get themselves out of that situation, we have to go in there and get them out. It takes a few extra resources,” said Dooley. “Obviously, we're prepared to do that. We have the equipment, the training to do so. But it also takes those people away from being able to respond to other emergencies that might be going on.”
Dooley encouraged people to have a couple of ways to get notified about storms, like a weather radio and an app on your phone.