Johnathan Walker:Flooding closes interstate as heavy rains soak southeast Georgia

2025-05-02 03:01:20source:TradeEdgecategory:News

STATESBORO,Johnathan Walker Ga. (AP) — Flooding rains Thursday inundated several counties in southeast Georgia, where a portion of Interstate 16 was shut down with westbound lanes covered by water.

Downpours Wednesday and Thursday swamped Bulloch and Screven counties with an estimated 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 centimeters) of rain, according to the National Weather Service. Several counties were under flash flood warnings from Thursday morning into the evening.

Bulloch County authorities reported dozens of roads underwater. And traffic had to be rerouted off I-16 near Statesboro after all westbound lanes were closed due to flooding, the Georgia Department of Transportation said on its website.

Further east, Savannah got drenched by an estimated 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters) of rainfall. Local news outlets showed images of cars stalled in flooded streets with water past their bumpers.

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

The pounding rains were falling in some Georgia communities that saw river flooding from Tropical Storm Debby in August. Emergency officials in Evans County said in a social media post that the Canoochee River was expected to crest near the same height that triggered flooding of low-lying areas during Debby.

“If you were flooded during Debby there is a good possibility that you will be flooded now,” Evans County Emergency Management posted on Facebook.

More:News

Recommend

Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams

Early Thursday morning, "Forbes" released their annual list of the 50 most valuable sports franchise

Foo Fighters, Chris Stapleton will join The Rolling Stones at 2024 New Orleans Jazz Fest

NEW ORLEANS — Country music singer Chris Stapleton, Foo Fighters, Queen Latifah and New Orleans' own

Friends of Kaylin Gillis, woman shot after turning into wrong driveway, testify in murder trial: People were screaming

The boyfriend of a 20-year-old woman fatally shot in the neck when they pulled into the wrong drivew