Flash Flood — Troup, Georgia

2003-05-07 to 2003-05-08 · near Countywide, Troup, Georgia

Event narrative

The Georgia Emergency Management Agency, along with the local Troup county Emergency Manager, reported that excessive rainfall led to extensive and historical flooding across the county. Some areas received as much as 10 inches of rain in 24 hours. Many roads were flooded and washed out. Several major roads, including Interstates 85 and 185, were also flooded and closed in some areas. Interstate-85 was closed from exit 21 to the Alabama border and Interstate-185 was closed at exit 48. Twelve miles of U.S. Highway 27 and four miles of U.S. Highway 29 were also closed in the county. A number of secondary roads were washed out and closed as well. Four bridges (Hunt, Gabbettville, Salem, and Tucker roads) were completely washed out and several others were damaged. A 47-year old Pine Mountain woman was killed when her compact vehicle was caught in flood waters caused by a washed out culvert on a road in the Leisure Lane Estates subdivision near the Meriwether county border. During the height of the flooding, several residents in the Flat Shoals area required evacuation, including three adults and two children. The Georgia Emergency Management agency reported that at least 200 residential structures received damage because of flooding and a number of businesses also sustained moderate to major damage. Several vehicles were also lost in the flood waters, including several fire department vehicles. One home on Dallis Mill Road was washed away and another home on New Hutchinson Mill Road sustained major damage from flooding. At the same residence, two vehicles were lost. A mobile home was also washed away on Webb Road. Significant flooding was reported in the Riverside Trailer Park and Skinnerville area as well. Several businesses were also flooded and damaged, especially in the Avenue B and C area of West Point just east of U.S. Highway 29. Water was also three feet high at the West Ninth and Third Avenue intersections. A Pizza Hut was seriously damaged by flood waters. Much of the restaurant would have to be replaced or rebuilt. A Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant was severely damaged as the high water caved in the front door. The West Point Foundry, Hester Print Shop, Nader's Music Store and the Winston's Flea Market were also flooded and lost several thousand dollars worth of merchandise. The St. John's Episcopal Church day care center was also flooded, resulting in damage, not only to the center itself, but also to the toys, videos, and playground equipment on the premises. A number of roads in the county were closed as a precautionary measure. It was also noted that schools were closed in the county for several days because so many roads were impassable. Finally, it was noted that the Chattahoochee Riverwalk was completely underwater.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5362552. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.