AUSTELL, Ga. — Editor's note: The video is of damage from Helene in several states.
The National Weather Service hasextened flood warnings for multiple rivers in Georgia, impacting metro Atlanta counties and posing a major risk to nearby communities following Helene.
Flint River near Lovejoy
A Flood Warning remains in effect for the Flint River near Lovejoy, affecting Clayton, Spalding, and Fayette counties. Major flooding is occurring, and residents should be aware of hazardous conditions that may impact several neighborhoods and roadways.
- Current Conditions: As of midnight Saturday, the river level was at 19 feet, with flood stage being 12 feet.
- Forecast: The river is expected to recede to around 16 feet by Saturday morning.
- Major Impacts: At 18 feet, homes along Roxbury Drive, Rambo Court, and Mockingbird Road are affected, as well as multiple mobile homes along Museum Circle. Businesses and access points near Upper Riverdale Road and Arrowhead Boulevard may also see flooding. Major roadways such as Upper Riverdale Road could become impassable, cutting off access to Southern Regional Hospital.
Additional roads affected include:
- Mockingbird Road
- Museum Circle
- Turner Road
- Harbour Town
- North Bridge Road
Residents in the area are advised to avoid flooded roads and take extra precautions if driving, especially at night. For more safety information, visit weather.gov/safety/flood.
Sweetwater Creek near Austell
Flooding is also occurring at Sweetwater Creek near Austell, impacting Cobb and Douglas counties. The NWS extended the Flood Warning until Monday morning as water levels continue to rise.
- Current Conditions: At 6:30 a.m. Saturday, the river level was at 13.3 feet.
- Forecast: Sweetwater Creek is expected to crest at 17.4 feet late Saturday night before receding below flood stage early Monday morning.
- Major Impacts: Flooding begins at 17 feet, affecting areas upstream and downstream of the Interstate 20 bridge. Athletic fields in Woodrow Wilson Park and portions of the Brook Forest and Beech Gum Mobile Home Parks will likely see water levels rise 6 to 7 feet. Homes on Mount Vernon Road, Wren Circle, Robin Road, Sunlight Drive, Old Marietta Road, and Brooks Drive are also at risk of flooding.
Safety tips during flooding
- Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood-related deaths occur in vehicles.
- Be extra cautious at night when it's more difficult to recognize flooding dangers.
Stay safe and heed all warnings from local authorities and emergency personnel as flooding conditions are expected to persist through the weekend. Keep up to date on the latest alerts and conditions by visiting weather.gov/atlanta.