DeKalb County has already received 3 inches of rain today, Dec. 28, and more rain is expected this evening and through next week.

The county says it has opened its Emergency Operations Center “to monitor potential flooding conditions.”

“Teams are monitoring and responding to creek and river levels, repeat sanitary-sewer-overflow hotspots, and downed trees and utility lines,” a press release from the county says.

The county also offered the following safety tips:

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·        Sanitary sewer overflows should be immediately reported to 770-270-6243.

·        Be aware that trees can fall during significant rain events. Trees in roadways should be reported to 678-406-7929.

·        If you come across a flooded roadway, “turn around, don’t drown.” A foot of water can stall and sweep vehicles away.

·        When driving, turn on headlights and slow down.

·        Beware of hydroplaning. Only one-twelfth of an inch of rain on the road and a speed of more than 35 miles per hour can cause a vehicle to hydroplane.

·        Do not walk through flooded areas. Six inches of water can knock adults off of their feet.

·        Beware of flood prone areas. Keep pets secure and safe from flood prone areas and high water levels.

The National Weather Service there’s a Flash Flood Watch in effect for our area through Saturday morning, Dec. 29.

According to NWS:

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* Widespread rainfall will continue across portions of Georgia today. Rainfall will be heavy at times. Two to three inches of rainfall have already fallen across much of the area, and additional rainfall amounts of up to 1.5 inches are expected through Saturday morning with isolated higher amounts likely.

* Soil conditions remain very moist and river levels remain high across the area. Even a relatively small amount of rainfall
will produce significant runoff and flooding of creeks and rivers. Even after the rain ends, high water could persist for several days after.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation.

You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

NWS also predicts that on Saturday through Thursday of next week, “Several rounds of showers will continue into next week, with
isolated thunderstorms possible Monday and Tuesday. Much of the area could see an additional 2 to 4 inches of rainfall, with locally
higher amounts possible. This rainfall will continue to elevate the river and stream flood threat, especially since the grounds are
saturated from recent rains. Localized flash flooding will also be a concern in flood prone areas.”

There’s a flood warning in effect for Yellow River near East Lithonia affecting DeKalb and Rockdale counties, NWS reports. The flood warning will continue through Saturday evening, Dec. 29. Here’s the full report regarding DeKalb flooding from NWS:

Flood Statement

National Weather Service Peachtree City GA

2:05 PM EST Fri Dec 28 2018

…The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Georgia…

Yellow River near East Lithonia affecting DeKalb and Rockdale Counties

…Flood Warning extended until Saturday evening…The Flood Warning continues for:

The Yellow River near East Lithonia.

* From this afternoon until Saturday evening.

* At 1PM Friday the stage was 12.4 feet…and rising.

* Minor flooding is forecast.

* Flood stage is 13.0 feet

* Forecast to rise above flood stage by this afternoon and continue to rise to near 16.7 feet by after midnight tomorrow. The river will fall below flood stage by tomorrow afternoon.

* At 15.0 feet…Minor flooding continues and expands further into the woodlands and fields near the river upstream and downstream
from the gage on Pleasant Hill Road. In Dekalb County…some flooding of backyards of homes begin on Harmony Hills Drive and Court. Johnson Creek flowing under Union Grove Road into the river begins to back up.

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