Flash Flooding and Hail in Georgia, June 27 to 30, 2001

The Gainesville Times newspaper reported that excess rainfall from thunderstorms, on the order of 4 or more inches during a two to three hour period, resulted in flooding of Flat Creek and the subsequent flooding of Downtowner Mobile Home Park on McConnell Road. Twenty-five mobile homes were damaged or destroyed by the flood waters. Flood waters rose up above the doors and windows of the mobile homes. In addition, several roads in Gainesville were flooded and a section of the Atlanta Highway had to be closed. On Thompson Bridge Road, a Publix Grocery Store was flooded by overflowing and blocked drains. However, water was only 4-5 inches deep in the store and little significant damage was reported here.

The Cherokee County Emergency Management Director, as well as the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Cherokee Tribune newspapers, reported that repeated slow-moving thunderstorms dumped excessive rainfall of over 4 inches in a 2 hour period across northern Cherokee County. The rain began around 9 pm EDT and continued until just after midnight, with the heaviest rain occurring between 9:30 pm EDT and midnight. The excessive rain caused flooding of creeks and several roads from Canton to Waleska. Puckett Creek flooded and washed out Shoal Creek Road, the only access road to the Rock Creek Estates subdivision in Canton, along with a six inch water main. Residents were left without water and no vehicle access to their subdivision for over 24 hours. In Waleska, residents on Sardis Road were left without drinking water for over 24 hours as yet another 6-inch water main was ruptured by the flood waters of a nearby creek. Other roads damaged include Fate Conn Road, with major damage to the shoulder, and Hickory Nut Road near Georgia Highway 140, with damage to the shoulder and drainage pipe. Debris caused by high water was also observed on several roads including Land, Worley, Smith, Long, Puckett Creek, Soap Creek, and Damascus Roads.

The Cherokee County Emergency Management Director, along with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, reported that thunderstorms once again dumped excessive rainfall in a two to three hour period in some of the same areas of north and northwest Cherokee county that were affected the previous night. Additional rainfall amounts of 3 to 4 inches occurred in the Canton and Waleska areas. The temporary road that was constructed to replace that portion of Sardis Road washed out by Puckett Creek on Wednesday the 27'th, was itself washed out by the flood waters from Puckett Creek. Sardis road is the only road access to the Rock Creek Estates subdivision. In addition, repairs to the water main were also delayed because of the additional flooding. Numerous other roads in the area were once again flooded causing damage, washing out drainage pipes, and covering the roads with debris. Georgia Highways 20 and 140 were both under water in several places. The excessive rainfall caused the Etowah river to crest near 18 feet, which is 1 foot above flood stage and the highest stage observed in over 3 years.

The Americus Times-Recorder reported that trees were knocked down by thunderstorm winds on Armory Drive, Barlow Street, and between Tabby Lane and Walnut.

The Americus Times-Recorder reported that very heavy rain from a thunderstorm in a short period of time, one hour or less, resulted in flooding of roads. A 30 foot section of Railroad Street was completely washed out when the culvert pipe, running under the street, could not handle the volume of water. The water also snapped a PVC pipe nearly one foot in diameter that carried sewage. Several other roads were flooded but not damaged, including North Jackson Street, East Furlow Street, and Second Street.

The Cherokee County 911 center reported dime size hail.

The Cherokee County 911 center, as well as several residents of the county, reported flash flooding caused by thunderstorms with excessive rainfall. The heaviest rain occurred between 730 pm EDT and 900 pm EDT. These thunderstorms occurred a little further south than the thunderstorms that caused significant flooding in the Waleska and Canton areas the previous two days. This time, the heaviest rain was focused in the southern sections of the county from Hickory Flat, south to Woodstock and Arnold Mill. At least two roads were reported to have been washed out, including Georgia Highway 140 near Hickory Flat. Several creeks were out of their banks near Woodstock and Hickory Flat and water was observed in some basements at Hickory Flat.