Bittings Avenue is seen partially underwater as many homes along the road were affected Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, in Summerville, Ga. After heavy rainfal... Bittings Avenue is seen partially underwater as many homes along the road were affected Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, in Summerville, Ga. After heavy rainfall, a Flash Flood Warning was issued in Summerville Sunday. (Olivia Ross/Chattanooga Times Free Press via AP)
A young man walks his dog along a flooded Bittings Avenue on Sunday, Sept, 4, 2022, in Summerville, Ga. Thunderstorms and heavy rain pounded parts of ... A young man walks his dog along a flooded Bittings Avenue on Sunday, Sept, 4, 2022, in Summerville, Ga. Thunderstorms and heavy rain pounded parts of northwest Georgia on Sunday, sparking flash flooding in some areas. (Olivia Ross/Chattanooga Times Free Press via AP)
Trash cans from JR Dick Dowdy Park wash up outside of the Coach Inn Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, in Summerville, Ga. After heavy rainfall, a Flash Flood War... Trash cans from JR Dick Dowdy Park wash up outside of the Coach Inn Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, in Summerville, Ga. After heavy rainfall, a Flash Flood Warning was issued in Summerville Sunday. (Olivia Ross/Chattanooga Times Free Press via AP)
Erica Phillips takes a photo of the washed-up debris outside of Ingles after heavy rainfall, and a Flash Flood Warning was issued in Summerville, Ga.,... Erica Phillips takes a photo of the washed-up debris outside of Ingles after heavy rainfall, and a Flash Flood Warning was issued in Summerville, Ga., Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022. (Olivia Ross/Chattanooga Times Free Press via AP)
A sculpture at JR Dick Dowdy Park is covered in debris after flooding in Summerville, Ga., on Sept. 4, 2022. (Olivia Ross/Chattanooga Times Free Press... A sculpture at JR Dick Dowdy Park is covered in debris after flooding in Summerville, Ga., on Sept. 4, 2022. (Olivia Ross/Chattanooga Times Free Press via AP)
SUMMERVILLE, Ga. (AP) — Thunderstorms and heavy rain pounded parts of northwest Georgia on Sunday, sparking flash flooding in some areas. Local news reports showed roads under water and homeowners struggling to keep water out.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency Sunday afternoon in Chattooga and Floyd Counties, directing all state resources to help with “preparation, response and recovery activities.” The National Weather Service said rainfall of up to one inch per hour was causing creeks, streams, roadways and urban areas to experience unusually high levels of water. Up to 12 inches of rain was estimated to have fallen in the area, according to Kemp's executive order.
“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.
At 3:10 p.m., the service advised locals to avoid non-emergency travel as another round of emergency rainfall entered the area.
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.
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