SUMMERVILLE, Ga. — Parts of northwest Georgia are flooding after some areas have received 10-14-inches of rain. Gov. Brian Kemp has issued a state of emergency for that part of the state.
Flood watches continued Monday in the U.S. southeast as forecasters warn of the possibility of torrential downpours on Labor Day across already saturated ground.
Waves of showers and storms were expected to develop Monday in the region, as moisture from the Gulf of Mexico continues to stream across the South, the National Weather Service said. Some training storms — storms that drop several inches of rain as they move over the same areas like train cars — were also possible, the weather service said.
In Georgia, heavy rain impacted portions of Chattooga and Floyd counties, where a flash flood emergency and flash flood warnings were in place.
In Chattooga County, church pastors and volunteers planned to distribute water on Monday in the small towns of Summerville and Trion, according to the Chattooga County Emergency Management Agency. Summerville city officials also had water available at its city hall.
The city of Summerville advised residents who use the city’s water utility services to boil water prior to drinking, cooking or preparing baby food due to flash flooding at the Raccoon Creek Filter plant. It wasn't clear on Monday how long it would take to make repairs to the system.
11Alive's meteorologist Nicole Hartford is tracked rain totals in these areas. As of late Sunday night, rainfall totals have ranged from 10-14 inches throughout portions of Chattooga and Floyd counties. Surrounding areas have 4-10 inches of rain.
Additionally, metro Atlanta counties are under a flood watch until 8 p.m. Monday.
One to three inches of additional rainfall is possible Monday, which could cause some of rivers, creeks, and streams to swell their banks.
Several roads and businesses have flooded in these counties. Floyd County E-911 GA said a dozen roads in the Floyd County area are considered "hazard areas." You can see its full list as of Monday morning.
“This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order,” the service said.
The service declared a “flash flood emergency” for Summerville, Lyerly and James H. Floyd State Park in Chattooga County. Floyd County - just to the south - was also under a flash flood warning.
"Following severe flooding in North Georgia today, I have declared a State of Emergency in Chattooga and Floyd Counties," Gov. Kemp said in a statement. "As we work with local partners to address the damage in affected communities, Marty and I are asking all Georgians to join us in praying for the lives and homes impacted."
Summerville Mayor Harry Harvey told 11Alive that the south end of downtown is seeing the most flooding. He advises residents to stay home. He also said that there have been no injuries reported yet.
The city of Summerville advised residents who use the city's water utility services to boil water prior to drinking, cooking or preparing baby food due to flash flooding at the Raccoon Creek Filter plant.
“Water should be boiled for at least one minute after reaching a rolling boil. Citizens should continue to boil their water until they are notified by their drinking water utility that the water system has been restored to full operation, and that the microbiological quality of the water in the distribution system is safe for human consumption,” the city said on its website.
Bottled water will be available at North Summerville Baptist Church for residents who are without water, according to Chattooga County EMA 911. The church's address is 119 Maplewood Drive in Summerville. The church will be back distributing water between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday.
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The Chattooga County Emergency Management Agency is urging people to stay home and stay off the roads, according to a statement on its social media accounts.
"Chattooga County has seen a huge amount of water this morning, flooding several areas within the county. We are expecting at least 2 more inches of rain today and we are asking everyone to PLEASE stay home and do not travel unless absolutely necessary," they wrote.
The Chattooga River at Summerville is forecast to crest at 16.7 inches, according to the National Weather Service.
Don Durham lives in Summerville and said he's never seen flooding this bad in 25 years.
"I got a call from my neighbor this morning at daybreak saying, 'We're flooding,' so we came and looked out, and sure enough, my wife walked through the bedroom, and hit some wet rugs, and sure enough, I had water coming in my washroom door," Durham said.
Photos and video shared with the 11Alive newsroom showed cars and buildings underwater.
Several dogs and cats were also evacuated from an animal shelter in Chattooga County due to the flooding. Volunteers from Chattooga County and the Floyd County Sheriff's Office helped bring them to safety.
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