Flooding Rains - January 5-7, 2009

Flooding Rains
January 5-7, 2009

When a frontal system stalls across the southeastern part of the nation, and strong south to southwest winds aloft bring abundant moisture up from the Gulf of Mexico, the result can be an extended period of moderate to heavy rain. This was the case from January 5 through January 7, 2009 when portions of North Georgia received several inches of rain. The bulk of the rain started on the evening of the 5th and continued in waves through the night of the 6th. Most locations along and north of a line from Cedartown in Polk County to Homer in Banks County recorded a two-day total of 3.5 to 5.5 inches. A few locations reported 6 to 7 inches - including Plant Hammond, in western Floyd County. This resulted in widespread flooding of creeks and streams. Some roads were closed at times by either high water, or debris. An example of the flooding was provided by a CoCoRaHS observer near Adairsville in Bartow County.

Here is a breakdown of rainfall amounts by location. [ pdf ]

For current conditions of rivers and streams across Georgia, visit our AHPS page.

Warnings can be viewed from this page.

[ rainfall totals from 5 pm January 5 to 5 pm January 7, 2009 ]

Samples of Flooding Seen in North Georgia ( click images to enlarge ) images provided by Donald Mcclure
Flooding on Dry Creek.	Flooding on Dry Creek - driveway washing out at 70 Doris Road NW Adairsville.	Flooding on Dry Creek - Wayside Road NW just north of Doris Road NW Adairsville.