| Downpour surprises residents | | Posted: Tuesday, June 18, 2013 9:18 pm
| By HOPE MONTGOMERY
Messenger Intern
About noon Monday, the South Fulton and Fulton areas were surprised by flash floods brought on by midday thunderstorms.
In just 30 minutes, around three to five inches of rain were reported to have fallen, causing much of the damage.
During that time, strong winds and heavy rains were reported, resulting in fallen trees and flooding to businesses and homes. The municipal building’s flagpole even snapped due to the power of the storm.
South Fulton city manager Debra Craig said the city’s storm drains overflowed in several areas due to the intensity of the rain and caused much of the damage. Many creeks in the area reached capacity as well, adding to the flooding.
Areas such as Village Plaza on Broadway saw the consequences when most of the businesses in the plaza and the entire parking lot were flooded. Howard Worley, whose office is in Village Plaza, watched as the drains overflowed and up to seven inches of water rose outside his office and seeped in under the door.
Ms. Craig said the areas that received the worst of the water damage were in the areas noted as flood zones — areas in the northeast corner of the city and areas such as Iron Street, Forrestdale Street and Central Avenue. Those areas were seeing as much as two feet of standing water.
The Central, Forrestdale and College Street bridges were closed due to safety concerns and flood possibilities by mid-afternoon Monday.
City officials requested the evacuation of four houses on Iron Street that received the worst of the flooding.
South Fulton opened its municipal building to store personal items like furniture for residents for a short period as they tried to save their property during the flood.
Other areas outside of the usual flood watch areas reported severe flooding as well. Residents in the Frankie Lane area reported an unprecedented amount of flooding due to the thunderstorms.
South Fulton’s public works employees, firefighters and police officers were all on duty Monday afternoon assessing damage and helping residents as they waited for a second wave of rain predicted to hit later in the afternoon.
Editor’s note: Hope Montgomery is a sophomore at Hendrix College in Conway, Ark. She is the daughter of Bob and Amy Montgomery of Union City.
Published in The Messenger 6.18.13 | | | | |
