Flood in Geneva, Alabama

An intense Gulf storm deposited up to 14 inches of rain across southeast Alabama on March 6-8. Houston, Dale, and Geneva counties were declared federal disaster areas. In Geneva County, runoff from torrential rains in Coffee and Dale counties pushed the Chotawhatchee River out of its banks. Resultant flooding the week of March 8 damaged 85 homes, washed out many of the county roads and closed State Highway 27 south from Geneva. An estimated 300 residents were without water. Communities suffering the worst damage were Malvern, Slocomb, Geneva, and Samson. The Choctawhatchee River at Geneva crested near 39.3 feet on March 9. In Houston County, 60 roads were closed. At Cottonwood, several families were evacuated. Approximately 175 homes sustained flood damage. In Dale County, numerous county and state roads were flooded. Between 300 and 400 homes were damaged. The Choctawhatchee River at Newton crested near 34.6 feet (third highest) on March 9. In Henry County, flood damage to county roads alone was estimated near $440,000.