Douglas County

DOUGLAS COUNTY ROAD CLOSURES DUE TO HURRICANE DENNIS RAINS TEMPORARY SHELTER OPENS AT TURNER MIDDLE SCHOOL IN LITHIA SPRINGS

As of 5:30 p.m., Monday, July 11th, the following roads in Douglas County are closed due to culvert or bridge wash-outs, roadway failures, creek flooding, or other causes due to the almost 10 inches of rain that fell in Douglas County over the past 48 hours.

• North County Line Road between Yates Road and Riley Road

• Skyview Drive between Thornton Road and Maxham Road (use Maxham Road as a detour)

• Vulcan Drive at Groover's Lake Road

• North Sweetwater Road north of Evans Drive

• Malone Road between Huey Road and the Douglasville City Limits

• Carolyn Circle off Riley Road

• Cedar Creek Drive inside the Chestnut Log Subdivision (one-lane closed)

• Walton Store Road

• Cave Springs Road near the Water and Sewer Authority facility

• Mt. Vernon Road at Woodrow Wilson Park

• Wren Circle

• Robin Road

• Bearden Road.

  All other roadways are open at this time, but motorists should be advised that additional rain and the saturated soil may cause almost instantaneous flooding of roadways and low-lying areas. Flash flooding is now more likely to occur with any rainfall, and scattered thunderstorms are predicted daily for the next few days.

  Motorists are requested to observe barricades, and to not go around the barricades. The roadways past the barricades may be undermined and may be unsafe and unable to handle vehicular or foot traffic.

  If citizens see a roadway that is failing or other condition that makes it dangerous to traffic, they are requested to call 911.

  The American Red Cross has opened a temporary shelter at Turner Middle School at 7101 Junior High Drive in Lithia Springs for citizens needing shelter from the floodwaters. The Red Cross is being assisted by Douglas County Emergency Management, Douglas Public Health, and the Douglas County Department of Family and Children's Services.

  Citizens are requested to stay out of the floodwaters, and to ensure that children do not play in the water. Sinkholes can open at a moment's notice due to the soft soil, bacteria is in the water from a number of sources, and debris may be hidden in the water that contains sharp edges, nails and other harmful items.

  Roadways, culverts and bridges will continue to be evaluated on Tuesday as water recedes more and inspectors can get a better view.

  Fayette County

  Hwy 54 @ Huddleston

  Clayton County

  Upper Riverdale near Southern Regional

  Cobb County

  The Georgia Department of Transportation has closed three state routes in Cobb County due to water crossing the roadway. Torrential rain spurred has caused Noonday Creek to crest above the level of two roads; State Route 360 (Powder Springs Road) and State Route 176. Both routes are temporarily closed. The high water level of Utoy Creek has also forced the closure of State Route 70 (Fulton Industrial Boulevard) between I-20 and Camp Creek Parkway.

  "It is not safe for motorists to cross these bridges until the water recedes and we can inspect the bridges for damage," said DOT. "Motorists should expect these roads to be closed and should seek alternate routes to avoid these areas until further notice."

  Noonday Creek crosses State Route 360 just south of Barrett Parkway and State Route 176 one mile west of U.S. 41. Motorists should utilize State Route 6 (Thornton Road) to avoid the State Route 70 closure. No time frame is available for the reopening of the roadways because it is dependant on the continuing rain and the level of the creeks.

  Cobb County is warning residents of major flooding alerts and potentially dangerous road conditions.

  A list of road closings is included below.

  Major flooding was reported in the area of the Chattahoochee River, which is supposed to reach 21 feet by 2 p.m., the National Weather Service said. Sope Creek is expected to rise to 17 feet by 10 a.m. and Sweetwater Creek is expected to reach 17.5 feet by this evening. Nancy Creek crested at 9 feet and was reported to be at 6 feet as of 9 a.m., the National Weather Service said.

  According to Cobb County Water System Director Bob Brice, 7 inches of rainfall have been recorded in west Cobb and less than 1.5 inches in east Cobb since midnight.

  Residents should stay in their homes avoid travel and not attempt to drive through water-covered roads, Emergency Management Agency Deputy Director Lanita Lloyd said. There is no way to tell how deep water is on roads and the condition can be very hazardous to drivers.

  "If Cobb residents are experiencing flooding, they need to report that to our office," Lloyd said. "If they need immediate assistance, they need to call 911."

  There have been no shelter requests as of 9 a.m. If residents need shelter or need to report flooding, they can call (770) 499-4567. Emergency situations should be referred to 911.

  Complete Cobb Co. Road Closings:

  (Marietta GA-July 11, 2005) Cobb County's Emergency Management Agency reports that the following roads in Cobb County remain closed due to flooding:

  Church Rd, between Harris and S. Cobb Dr

  Holliman, between Stout Pkwy and Hiram-Lithia Springs Rd

  Stout Pkwy, between Holliman and Brown Rd

  Macedonia Rd, between Barrett Pkwy and Hopkins Rd

  Barrett Pkwy, between Powder Springs and Macland

  Wisteria @ creek culvert

  Moon Rd, between Old Lost Mountain and Hiram

  Hiram-Lithia Springs, between Holliman and Sullivan

  Buckner Rd, between Pebblebrook and Oakdale Rd

  Sanders Rd, between Powder Springs and Flint Hill Rd

  Irwin Rd, between Villa Rica Rd and John Ward Rd

  W. Sandtown Rd, between Villa Rica Rd and Dallas Hwy

  Friendship Church Rd, between W. Sandtown Rd and Villa Rica Rd

  North Hadaway, between Stilesboro Rd and Hadaway Rd.

  Casteel Rd, between Villa Rica Rd and Dallas Hwy

  Nance Rd, between Acworth-Due West Rd and Old 41

  Bob Cox Rd, between Dallas Hwy and Burnt Hickory Rd

  Midway Rd, between Luther Ward Rd and Dallas Hwy

  Woodland Brook Rd at Brandy Station

  Macland Road West of Barrett Parkway

  Flooding predictions indicate many of the streams and rivers in Cobb County will not return to below flood level stage until the early morning hours Tuesday.

  A variety of county roads remain closed due to flooding and other obstructions. Motorists are encouraged to drive carefully and to avoid any section of roadway that is covered in water.

  Captain Herb Warns:

  Please Do Not Move Barricades from any roadways!

  Never drive through standing water on roads!

  Do not attempt to wade through flood waters!

  Turn Headlights on during rain and cloudy conditions!

  Use emergency flashers only when your vehicle in not moving!

  Stay tuned to Newstalk 750 WSB for frequent weather and traffic updates..