Flash Flood in Gilmer County, Georgia

The Gilmer County Emergency Manager, along with local newspapers and the public, reported extensive, and widespread to catastrophic flooding throughout much of the county. More than a foot of rain fell in parts of Gilmer county in association with the remnants of Hurricane Ivan during a six to eight hour period in the afternoon and evening hours of September 16th. Ten to 12 inches of rain was common across the county. Catastrophic flooding was reported along the Cartecay River, which in some areas exceeded the 500-year flood plain level. Several homes and vehicles were washed away when the river reached these levels. Major flooding was also reported on the Coosawattee River and Cox Creek as well. Several homes and vehicles along the banks of the Coosawattee River were also washed away. The Coosawattee River crested at 17.3 feet around midnight on the 17th, which is several feet above bankfull. All together across the county, 35 homes were flooded or destroyed, 12 to 18 mobile homes in the Maple Village Mobile Home Park were either destroyed or washed away by flooding, at least five recreational vehicles and several other vehicles were swept away by flood waters. Fourteen families in the county lost everything to the floods. Roads and bridges also suffered significant structural damage. Three bridges were washed away or suffered major damage, including Clear Creek Bridge which collapsed. A 25 foot section of the driveway leading from Georgia Highway 282 to the Courier Dye plant was washed away. Other buildings and locales suffered damage from the extensive flooding, including the Ellijay Lions Building, a Civil War Memorial, and another Veterans Memorial.