Storm moves on, flooding still concern across area
ATLANTA (AP) - The massive system that brought intense rainfall across Georgia has moved out of the state and is being replaced by high winds that have knocked down trees onto power lines.
A spokesman for Georgia Power Co., Jeff Wilson, says about 7,000 customers were without power about 1 a.m. Friday. That number had dwindled to 680 by daybreak, including 60 in metro Atlanta, 250 around Rome and 300 around Martinez (Marht-n-EHZ').
He says more outages are anticipated during the day because of high wind.
The National Weather Service office in Tallahassee, Fla., says more than 5 inches of rain fell in Albany and Valdosta from Tuesday to Thursday.
Flood warnings remain in effect.
Concerns about flooded roadways and other weather-related problems also prompted school closings in at least 25 Georgia districts.
“My understanding is that they’re actively working to get them clear as soon as possible,” he said.
Hodges said the storm, which brought more than five inches into the area within 24 hours, also knocked down trees and limbs across the county.
“For a 24-period that’s huge,” Hodges said. “The ground was just so wet the roots weren’t able to hold.”
And, ground saturation is something the LHEMA is continuing to monitor as more severe storms are forecasted for the area on Sunday.
Hodges said the area has already received about foot of water over the past week leaving the ground extremely wet.
Jeff Stone, branch manager at Midway for the Georgia Forestry Commission, said if Sunday’s storm system brings in strong, gusty winds, the county could see many more trees topple over.
“A lot of our trees look strong, but have very shallow roots,” he said. “With the ground being so saturated, the potential for falling trees is higher than normal.”
He said his crews will be on stand-by.
“We kind of always have to be ready for anything,” Stone said.
The National Weather Service reported early Friday that the storm moved out of the area quicker than expected and the weather should provide good drying conditions at least until Sunday.