Flood Watch Issued for Atlanta and North Georgia as Heavy Rain Brings Up to 4 Inch Totals From Wednesday Afternoon Through Thursday Morning
GEORGIA — Heavy rain is set to move over North Georgia and the Atlanta metro area from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning, bringing much needed relief to a region currently under extreme drought conditions. However, forecasters warn the rainfall may arrive too quickly, with 1.5 to 2.5 inch totals expected to be widespread and isolated amounts reaching up to 4 inches across the hardest hit locations. A flood watch has already been issued ahead of the event.
Flood Watch Already Issued as Rainfall Totals Raise Concern
The speed at which heavy rainfall will accumulate is the primary concern driving the flood watch issuance across the region. Smaller rivers, streams, creeks, and urban drainage systems are all at risk of flooding as rainfall totals climb rapidly over a short period. Areas including Atlanta, Rome, Calhoun, Gainesville, Carrollton, and Griffin all fall within the zone of greatest rainfall concern through Thursday morning.
Rainfall Forecast Shows 2 to 4 Inch Totals Across North Georgia
Forecast rainfall maps valid through Thursday noon show the heaviest accumulations concentrated across North Georgia, including the Chattanooga corridor, Blairsville, and areas northeast of Atlanta. The 4 to 8 inch plus range is indicated across isolated pockets, particularly in elevated terrain zones where rainfall can enhance rapidly due to topographic effects.
Strong and Severe Storms Also Being Monitored Alongside Heavy Rain
In addition to the flooding threat, forecasters are also tracking the potential for strong and severe storms to develop alongside the heavy rain event. Residents across the Atlanta metro, North Georgia, and surrounding communities are urged to monitor weather alerts closely from Wednesday afternoon onward and avoid flood prone roadways and low lying areas throughout the event. For continuing coverage of severe weather events across the United States, visit SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
