Thunderstorms and torrential rain battered parts of northwest Georgia on Sunday, triggering flash flooding in some areas. Local news reports showed roads submerged and homeowners struggling to keep the water out.
The National Weather Service said rains of up to an inch an hour caused streams, creeks, roads and urban areas to experience unusually high water levels. Up to 10 inches of rain has fallen in total in Chattooga County.
“This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless fleeing an area prone to flooding or under an evacuation order,” the service said.
The service declared “flash flood warnings” for Summerville, Lyerly and James H. Floyd State Park in Chattooga County. Floyd County — just to the south — was also warned of flash flooding.
The City of Summerville advised residents who use the city’s water supply services to boil water before drinking, cooking, or preparing baby food due to flash flooding at the Raccoon Creek filtration plant.
Parts of northwest Georgia like Chattooga and Floyd counties have been inundated with up to 10 inches of rain over the past 12 hours as residents were warned to stay indoors
Heavy rain and thunderstorms flood playgrounds, parks and sewers in Chattoga County
Residents have been warned by state officials to boil water before drinking, cooking or preparing baby food due to flash flooding
“Water should be boiled for at least a minute after it has reached a bubbling boil. Citizens should continue to boil their water until notified by their drinking water supplier that the water system is fully operational again and the microbiological quality of the water in the distribution system is safe for human consumption,” the city said on its website.
Rainstorms in Georgia come a week after flooding in Mississippi caused widespread problems and blew out a water treatment plant.
Torrential rain followed by Pearl River flooding exacerbated problems at OB Curtis’ sewage treatment plant, causing a drop in pressure throughout Jackson, where residents were already under a water-boil order due to poor water quality.
“Other areas throughout Jackson are now under pressure,” the city said in a news release Friday. “Many are now experiencing normal pressure. In areas further from the facility and at higher elevations, there may still be little to no pressure.’
Mississippi gets $75 million to address water issues under bipartisan infrastructure bill – over flooding in Canton
Gov. Tate Reeves said the city had struggled with its water infrastructure for years, blaming poor maintenance for the lack of infrastructure. Pictured: Mississippi aquatic plant
A building was inundated by flooding in Canton, just 27 minutes north of Jackson, on August 24
Seven major drinking water distribution sites were announced on Thursday, boosting smaller efforts around the city.
Both Republican Gov. Tate Reeves and Democratic President Joe Biden declared emergencies this week to allow the government to act more quickly. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell was scheduled to visit the city later on Friday.
Reeves has emphasized collaboration between state, local and federal officials, but tensions between politicians were evident.
Biden was critical of Reeves to reporters at the White House late Thursday.
“We offered Mississippi all sorts of things. The governor needs to act,” Biden said. “There is money to solve this problem. We gave them EPA. We have given them everything there is to offer.”
Flood water blanketed streets in some parts of the North Canton Circle neighborhood in Jackson, Mississippi on Monday
Tracy Funches, assistant director of Hinds County Emergency Management Operations, right, and operations coordinator Luke Chennault wade through flood waters in northeast Jackson
President Joe Biden has pledged federal support to Jackson, Mississippi as it suffers from a major water crisis
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to comment on Biden’s comments on Friday. She confirmed that Biden and Reeves had not spoken to each other about the crisis, but downplayed the lack of a call and said there was “no need to make progress on this situation.”
Federally, about $75 million is available specifically for water resources through a bipartisan infrastructure bill signed by Biden last year, Jean-Pierre said.
Another example of political tension came Friday after the city announced a 1 p.m. news conference with the Democratic mayor and Reeves, only to recall the announcement more than an hour later.
Amid the confusion, Reeves’ Twitter account included a rebuke from his communications director, Hunter Estes: “This release by Jackson is false. No 1:00 event. We didn’t invite city politicians to these factual state press conferences about our repairs, because they are held to provide honest information about the state’s work. We’re investigating why they’re publishing misinformation.’
Jackson residents struggled with a failing water system for a long time before the torrential rains and flooding from the Pearl River that triggered the recent crisis.
The National Guard was called to help distribute water. The state emergency agency said 1.1 million bottles of water were distributed on Thursday. Non-potable water for toilet flushing and other uses was also offered to people who brought their own containers to some sites.
City figures show that as of Wednesday morning, 80 percent of water system customers had little or no water. It was unclear how many had been substantially recovered by Friday.
