ATLANTA — Storm preparations in Georgia are underway as another system packed with heavy rain approaches the area.
“There will be flooding, so we are out there doing what we can to get ahead of it and to prevent as much of it, as we possibly can,” said Natalie Dale with the Georgia Department of Transportation.
Dale said road crews have been busy clearing out storm drains and debris from area streets, all in an effort to prepare for this weekend’s potential severe weather.
“When you have a large amount of rain that falls very quickly, think about your bathtub drain," Dale said. How much water can it possibly take, with a small amount coming through versus draining a whole tub? It takes a lot to get that amount of water washed through the system.”
With the water table already high from this week’s rain, a flood watch has been issued for the area. And, Dale said, when debris is added to the roadway, things will only get worse.
“A clear well-flowing drain, can easily become a hazard of the wrong type of trash, a hub cap, an election sign, gets swept into that system. It can create a back flow of that water very quickly,” Dale said.
Earlier this week, residents were already dealing with some of those flooding impacts. In Roswell, rainwater flowed over the banks of the Chattahoochee River onto Azalea Drive.
Four drivers had to be rescued after their cars got stuck in flood waters. The issue has officials issuing a warning for drivers.
“Turn around, don’t drown," Chad Miller with the Roswell Fire Department said. "Anytime there is flood water on the roadways, it’s so unpredictable, you can’t ever assume that you can predict the depth of the water because it can be very deceiving."
Officials said they would be out Friday before the rain rolls in to continue their efforts to clear out drains and prepare for the as much as 4 inches of rain expected in some areas.