Cobb County is under a flood watch until 7 p.m. Thursday and parts of the county and metro Atlanta area are under a flood warning as heavy rains and thunderstorms swept through north Georgia overnight.
The rain is expected to continue through New Year’s Day with warm temperatures.
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for parts of South Cobb, especially the area around Nickajack Creek, until further notice.
But conditions for flash flooding exist elsewhere in the county, especially in low-lying areas and around creeks, streams and rivers.
Areas in the flood watch may be subject to excessive water runoff, and creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding also can occur where there’s poor drainage, especially where it’s blocked by pine straw and other debris.
The NWS said that by 10:30 a.m. Thursday, storms had produced between 1.5 and 3.5 inches of rain, and another half-inch to an inch could fall by Thursday night.
Flash flooding has been occurring in some areas, including creeks in southern Paulding County. The NWS alerts include high winds along with the storms.
Areas expected to experience flooding include Atlanta, Douglasville, Carrollton, Decatur, Buchanan, Sandy Springs, Smyrna, East Point, Villa Rica, College Park, Powder Springs, Chamblee, Doraville, Clarkston, Austell, Hapeville, Bremen, Stone Mountain, Temple and Hiram.
The NWS alerts are urging drivers to turn around when encountering flooded roads and for motorists not to attempt to drive through the water.
They also are asked to alert local law enforcement and emergency crews if they see flooding.
For Thursday, the rain is forecast to taper off to 30 percent by the evening hours and all day Friday.
On New Year’s Day, the chance of rain is expected to be 50 percent, and 90 percent on Sunday.
High temperatures will range from the mid 60s to the low 70s.
Sunshine will return for the first full week of 2022, but the weather will be getting colder.
Monday’s high is expected to be in the mid-40s, with Tuesday’s high reaching 50.
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