Flash Flood — Wilkinson, Georgia

2023-03-28 · near Ivey, Wilkinson, Georgia

Event narrative

The Emergency Manager relayed a report of a dam breach at Lake Tchukolako following a period of heavy rainfall. In the preceding 36-hours, the area of the lake and the immediate upstream basin received 3 to 5 inches of rain, causing the dam to be overwhelmed. Although the dam failed at approximately 1 AM EST March 28, it was being monitored for 'imminent failure' through the day March 27. The failure resulted in flooding and the subsequent closure of Wrigley Road. This dam had previously failed in May 2020, and repairs were complete in summer 2022.

Wider weather episode

A prolonged, active weather pattern persisted across Georgia through late March, culminating in a series of disturbances that impacted the region March 25th through March 28th. In addition to numerous reports of damaging winds, hail and a few tornadoes, extreme rainfall amounts caused flash flooding over portions of the state. A swath of 4 or more inches of rain stretched from LaGrange, to Forsyth, to Augusta, with isolated amounts above 10 inches.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (32.8947, -83.2975)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1089805. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.