Brian Kemp, the Republican Governor of Georgia, has officially declared a state of emergency for a pair of counties in his state in the wake of extreme flooding that has caused some pretty hefty damage.
On Sunday, Kemp announced this declaration in the wake of various reports of flooded roadways and homes caused by ongoing storms all over certain areas of Georgia.
“Following severe flooding in North Georgia today, I have declared a State of Emergency in Chattooga and Floyd Counties. 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,” stated Kemp via social media, seemingly making reference to his wife.
Following severe flooding in North Georgia today, I have declared a State of Emergency in Chattooga and Floyd Counties. As we work w/ local partners to address the damage in affected communities, Marty and I are asking all Georgians to join us in praying for those impacted. pic.twitter.com/3iUo8ZQaY6
— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) September 4, 2022
The more northwestern counties of the state had previously been placed under an alert throughout the heavy rainfall making its way across the area that day.
“Stay safe and notify emergency responders immediately if your home experiences flooding,” Kemp stated in an earlier post.
Drone footage of the flood was captured in Summerville and posted by Fox 5 Atlanta which highlighted come of the various levels of damage to strike the region.
DRONE VIDEO: @GovKemp has declared a State of Emergency in Chattooga and Floyd Counties. Here is #SKYFOXDrone video captured in Summerville, Georgia that shows some of the damage in the hard hit communities. Georgia’s first responders are hard at work right now. @FOX5Atlanta #wx pic.twitter.com/K0aTtMipcn
— Billy Heath III (@BillyHeathFOX5) September 4, 2022
Chattooga County is still currently telling its motorists to not attempt to come to the downtown area of Summerville. Major flooding took place in the wake of several inches falling quickly overnight.
Quite a few different intersections in Summerville have been shut down, including the major intersection at Highway 27 and Highway 114. More rain was expected to take place later in the day.
Officials with law enforcement reported that motorists were finding themselves stranded in their cars early Sunday morning with quite a few other secondary roads also flooded.
Quite a few videos cropped up on social media that day that showed the affected areas, including several parts of Lyerly Dam Road being entirely underwater.
Flooding on Lyerly Dam rd which is being washed out at this time. #chattoogacounty@NWSAtlanta #gawx @CedricLocal3 @wsbtv @wtvc @DavidKarnes3 @DChandleyFOX5 @BradNitzWSB @GlennBurnsWSB pic.twitter.com/94EysF6JbX
— Lyerly Natl Champion Dawg (@lydawgcha) September 4, 2022
One local Ingles Supermarket, and its nearby parking lot, were also shown to be underwater in the wake of the floods.
Photos from inside the Summerville Ingles Supermarket and the parking lot courtesy of a store employee.#gawx @wsbtv @FOX5Atlanta @Local3News @newschannelnine pic.twitter.com/kLAKRpvhhQ
— Lyerly Natl Champion Dawg (@lydawgcha) September 4, 2022
Officials with the National Weather Service claimed that rainfall of over one inch per hour and up to 10 inches total had fallen during the storm out in Chattooga County.
“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,” stated the service, as reported by the Associated Press.
The city of Summerville also highlighted some issues via an update to speak to residents making use of the water utilities from the city. They told residents to ensure that they boil their water until further notice because of the flooding.
“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,” read the statement.
