The following events were reported: Flash Flood, Flood, Lightning. These occurred near station USW00013874, approximately 29.4819 km away, between 2009-09-20 21:30:00 and 2009-09-23 13:45:00. The flood was caused by Heavy Rain. The events resulted in 2 injuries and 8 fatalities. The events caused property damage valued at 148812000.0 and crop damage of 0.0. Episode Narrative: A historical, record, and catastrophic flood event unfolded during this period, mostly in the west central Georgia area, including the western and northwestern suburbs of Atlanta. Major flooding was noted in many other areas of north and central Georgia, including the eastern suburbs of Atlanta, northwest Georgia, and parts of central Georgia. The culprit was a very stagnant upper atmospheric pattern featuring a weak upper low that developed in early September across south Texas and slowly migrated east-northeast through September 22nd, until a more significant upper trough dropping south into the southern plains finally moved the pesky upper low northeast of Georgia. In addition, an unusually deep tropical flow was noted throughout this period. Precipitable water values exceeded 2.0 inches across the area during much of this period, resulting in extremely efficient rain producing cells. Persistent heavy rain showers and thunderstorms began to plague the area on the 16th, and persisted daily through the 21st across parts of north and central Georgia.||However, the catastrophic flooding unfolded when a sea breeze moving northwest merged with existing outflow boundaries and higher terrain across the western suburbs of Atlanta to result in persistent heavy thunderstorms for a period of at least 12 hours that trained across the same counties west of Atlanta, generally affecting Carroll, Douglas, Paulding and Cobb counties. As the activity progressed across the state, significant flooding unfolded further east, including Fulton county, and the city of Atlanta, DeKalb, and Gwinnett counties. Incredible rainfall amounts of 15 to over 20 inches, were observed from northeast Carroll, through much of Douglas, into eastern Paulding and southern Cobb counties. Rainfall amounts of 10 to 15 inches were noted across parts of Fulton, Dekalb, and Gwinnett. Rainfall amounts of 8 to 12 inches were noted in other more spotty areas of northwest, north central, and central Georgia during this period.||The excessive rainfall on top of saturated ground resulted in some of the worst flooding ever reported in the Atlanta and north Georgia area. Eleven deaths were recorded during the event, mostly vehicle related deaths at night from washed out bridges and roads as a result of swollen creeks. Property damages are estimated to be at least $0.5 Billion, with hundreds of homes and businesses destroyed by flood waters. Bridges on several state and local highways were washed out and some will take months to even a year to replace. Eighteen counties (Bartow, Carroll, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens, and Walker) received a presidential disaster declaration as a result of the historic floods. Twenty-one counties were declared eligible for public assistance, including several central Georgia counties that were affected by flash flooding earlier in the period.||Some of the worst flooding was observed along Sweetwater Creek near the Cobb, Fulton, Douglas county line. Hundreds of homes were flooded and destroyed as the waters of Sweetwater Creek rose more than 20 feet above flood level.||Many main stem and secondary creeks, streams, and rivers across north and central Georgia, particularly in northwest and west central Georgia, reached record flood levels. Many of these same creeks, streams, and rivers remained in flood for several days. In some cases, all time record flood levels were recorded. The following is a list of new record flood levels set on several creeks, streams, and rivers in north and west Georgia. Noonday Creek near Woodstock rose to 19.6 feet on the 21st at 530 pm EDT. The previous record was 16.30 feet set on July 11, 2005. Nickajack Creek at Mableton reached 19.30 feet on the 22nd at 215 am EDT. The previous record was 16.60 feet set on July 11, 2005. The North Fork of Peachtree Creek at Atlanta rose to 18.07 feet on the 21st at 715 pm EDT. The previous record was 17.70 feet set on September 16, 2004. Utoy Creek near Atlanta rose to 27.04 feet on the 22nd at 1000 am EDT. The previous record was 16.86 feet set on May 6, 2003. The Chattahoochee River at Whitesburg rose to 29.61 feet on the 21st at 745 pm EDT. The previous record was 29.11 feet on December 11, 1919. Suwanee Creek at Suwanee rose to 14.30 feet on the 21st at 645 pm EDT. The previous record was 12.04 feet set on October 5, 1996. The Yellow River at Lithonia rose to 25.50 feet on the 22nd at 515 am EDT. The previous record was 17.53 feet set on May 7, 2003. The Yellow River near Conyers below Milstead rose to 22.54 feet on the 22nd at 500 pm EDT. The previous record was 16.36 feet set on July 8, 2005. The Chattahoochee River at Franklin rose to 29.98 feet on the 22nd at 500 pm EDT. The previous record was 28.40 feet set on December 15, 1919. The Sweetwater Creek at Austell rose to 30.17 feet on the 22nd at 1000 pm EDT. The previous record was 21.81 feet on July 12, 2005.||The following rivers reached flood levels that were within the top five all time levels at these locations. Peachtree Creek in Atlanta rose to 23.89 feet on the 21st at 915 pm EDT. The all time record is 25.80 feet recorded on December 20th, 1919. Nancy Creek in Atlanta reached 14.69 feet on the 21st at 930 pm EDT. The all time record is 15.50 feet on December 1, 1973. The Chattahoochee River at Vinings reached 28.10 feet on the 22nd at 1200 am EDT. The all time record is 29.0 feet set on December 10, 1919. The South Fork of the Peachtree Creek reached 15.21 feet on the 22nd at 1200 am EDT. The all time record is 29.0 feet set on December 10, 1976. The Chattahoochee River at Campbellton reached 30.55 feet on the 22nd at 300 pm EDT. The all time record is 31.60 feet set on December 10, 1919. A historical, record, and catastrophic flood event unfolded during this period, mostly in the west central Georgia area, including the western and northwestern suburbs of Atlanta. Event Narrative: Paulding County Emergency Management personnel reported that at least ten lightning strike incidents were documented across the county during the late evening and early morning hours of thunderstorms and flash flooding. At least two of the lightning strikes resulted in structural fires. In addition, two Paulding county individuals were electrocuted by lightning in flood waters, but were not killed during the incidents. Catastrophic flash flooding began to unfold across portions of Gwinnett county during the early morning hours of the 21st as a secondary area of very heavy rain and thunderstorms began to expand across the eastern Atlanta metropolitan counties. Rainfall exceeded 12 inches in portions of the county during the night and early morning hours. USGS stream gages verified that significant flooding was underway. Crooked Creek at Norcross exceeded its flood stage of 11 feet at 306 am EDT. Pew Creek near Lawrenceville reached its flood stage of 11 feet at 418 am EDT. Many roads became flooded and impassable as they were submerged by several feet of water in some areas. A 39-year old female lost her life as her vehicle was washed off Desiree Drive and she was carried away in the flood waters of a small tributary feeding into the Yellow River. Many homes, apartments, businesses and roads from Norcross to Lawrenceville to Lilburn were flooded during this time frame. Monetary damage to roads and property during this period was estimated to exceed $600,000. Several USGS stream gages showed significant flooding commencing during this time frame across DeKalb county as thunderstorms with heavy rain, which had been west of the area most of the night, began to edge east-northeast and develop across Fulton, DeKalb, and Gwinnett counties. The South Fork of Peachtree Creek at Johnson Road reached its flood stage of 12.0 feet at 128 am EDT. The North Fork of Peachtree Creek at Buford Highway reached its flood stage of 12.0 feet at 201 am EDT. Many homes, apartments, and businesses began to experience significant flooding during this time frame, especially in the vicinity of the flooded creeks. A number of roads also became flooded, impassable, and were closed. Monetary damage to roads and property during this time frame was estimated to exceed $750,000. Record and in some cases catastrophic, flooding continued to expand across the northern and western portions of the Atlanta metropolitan area as renewed rounds of showers and thunderstorms with very heavy rain tracked repeatedly over the same areas throughout the day. Portions of hundreds of roads in the county were closed from flooding and washed out bridges and/or culverts. Even the Downtown Connector, Interstate-75/85, was closed for several hours because of flooding causing major traffic backups in the area. Hundreds of homes, apartments, and businesses sustained significant flood damage. Record flooding was occurring on Peachtree Creek and Nancy Creek in the north part of Atlanta. A significant water treatment plant for the city of Atlanta was destroyed by flooding, with damage to this plant alone estimated to be $57,000,000. Monetary damage during this time frame across Fulton county was estimated to be at least $48 million. Several USGS stream gages in Fulton county indicated that significant flooding was commencing across Fulton county, especially the central and northern portion of the county. Peachtree Creek at Northside Drive reached its flood stage of 17 feet at 353 am EDT. Nancy Creek at Rickenbacker Drive reached its flood stage of 11 feet at 444 am EDT. The Chattahoochee River near Vingings and Paces Ferry Road reached its flood stage of 14 feet at 501 am EDT. Many homes, apartments, businesses, and roads experienced at least moderate flooding by the end of this time period. The heavy rain caused some trees to fall in water logged soil, causing minor power outages in the Sandy Springs area. Monetary damage to roads and property during this time frame was near $4.5 million. As was the case with the neighboring northwest Atlanta metropolitan counties of Carroll, Douglas, and Cobb, initial flash flooding evolved into a record and catastrophic flood event across the southeast part of Paulding county as well. Extensive damage to roads and bridges were observed in this portion of the county. Many creeks and streams rose well above flood stage and remained so for over a day. Many homes and business sustained significant damage. Several high water rescues had to be performed during the height of the flooding and subsequent hours, but fortunately no deaths occurred in Paulding county from the flooding. Monetary damage to property and roads was estimated to be at least $2,000,000.||Numerous major roads were blocked by high water, including U.S. Highway 278 and Georgia Highway 92 near Hiram. More than 69 roads were closed across the county. The county court house and at least two convenience stores on Georgia Highway 92 were closed because of flooding. Schools were closed for several days because of flooded roads.||County emergency management personnel reported that 37 vehicles were rescued from flood waters and 46 residents of the county fell victim to rising flood waters and had to be rescued from peril. Fifteen individuals were removed from their homes because of rising flood waters. Two residents were electrocuted in flood waters by lightning strikes, but were not killed. Three homes suffered wall collapses from flood waters. At least eight gas leaks were caused by flood waters and eight power lines were either brought down or affected by trees downed in water logged soils.||Damage from initial flash flooding and subsequent flooding was estimated to be close to $2.5 million. Again, the majority of this damage occurred in the southeast part of the county near the Douglas and Cobb county borders. Although flash flooding began to subside, extensive flooding was reported across the county and confirmed from several USGS stream gages. Flooding expanded on areas earlier dexperiencing flash flooding. Record flooding was observed along Sweetwater Creek near Powder Springs, Powder Springs Creek, Noses Creek, and numerous other small creeks and tributaries. At least 100 roads across the county were closed, including portions of Interstate 20 and Interstate 285 near Six Flags. Extensive rescue operations were conducted in many areas of the county as motorists found their vehicle submerged in flood waters. At least a dozen people were evacuated in Powder Springs because of rising water from Sweetwater Creek near their homes. Other neighborhoods in south Cobb county were also flooded. Damage to home and businesses throughout much of the county was tremendous. During this time period alone, it was estimated that roads and property in the county sustained damage nearing $6 million. Significant flooding continued across much of Gwinnett county during this period. Several creeks and streams were in at least moderate flood from record rainfall. The USGS stream gage on Shoal Creek near Lawrenceville exceeded its flood stage of 11 feet for several hours, beginning at 459 pm EDT, and the Apalachee River near Dacula exceeded its flood stage of 8 feet for several hours beginning at 604 pm EDT. The Alcovy River, just southeast of Lawrenceville, went into moderate flood during this time period. Additional monetary damage in excess of $600,000, primarily to roads, was estimated to have occurred during this time frame. Earlier flash flooding evolved into record and catastrophic flooding as confirmed by emergency management personnel and USGS stream gages. More than 40 roads across the county were completely washed out, including Post Road just south of Interstate-20. A portion of Interstate-20 near Fairburn Road was closed for nearly 12-hours causing major traffic backups throughout the region. The main line of the Norfolk-Southern railroad near Villa Rica was also washed out. A seventh person in Douglas county fell victim to the raging flood waters. A 29-year old female perished when she was swept away in her vehicle by flood waters from the Dog River at 451 am EDT. Over 1200 residents in the county were left without power as several tress in water logged soils fell on adjacent power lines. This primarily affected areas near and including Arbor Place Mall along Interstate-20 near Fairburn Road. Schools throughout the county were closed because of many impassable and flooded roads. Many homes, businesses, and roads across the county sustained tremendous damage. Washed out bridges will result in some roads being closed for up to a year, including portions of Georgia Highway 166 near Campbellton. Monetary damage to roads and property during this time frame was estimated to be close to $9 million. Record, and in some cases catastrophic, flooding continued to expand across the northern and western portions of the Atlanta metropolitan area as renewed rounds of showers and thunderstorms with very heavy rain tracked repeatedly over the same areas throughout the day. Record flooding was occurring on the Chattahoochee River at Vinings and on Sope Creek near Marietta. Monetary damage during this time frame across Cobb county was estimated to be at least $10,000,000. Total damages for Cobb county during this time frame were nearly $11.5 million. Record flooding was occurring on Peachtree Creek, the North Fork of Peachtree Creek, and Nancy Creek in northeast Atlanta. The interchange of Interstate-285 and Interstate-85 in northeast DeKalb county, known as Spaghetti Junction was completely shut down for nearly an hour early on the 21st because of flooding. Major traffic backups occurred as a result. A mud slide blocked two westbound lanes of U.S. Highway 78 at Hugh Howell Road. Other mud slides were reported within the county. These are just some of the more significant examples of flood damage in the county. Monetary damage during this time frame across DeKalb county was estimated to exceed $6 million. The Henry County 911 Center reported that significant flooding was occurring within the Pools Mobile Home Park in the northern portion of the county, five miles north of Stockbridge. Several familes were trapped in their homes because of rising flood waters. Minor flooding was reported on roads and many streams and creeks across the county were near or above bankfull. Monetary damage to roads and property was estimated to be $250,000. The Newton County Emergency Management Director reported that a mobile home community was completely flooded out. Many creeks, streams, and rivers in the area were at or above bankfull. Some roads were also flooded. Monetary damage within the county, mostly within the flooded mobile home park, was estimated to be $700,000. The Rockdale County Emergency Management Director reported that two subdivisions approximately five miles north of Conyers were evacuated as they were threatened from flood waters of adjacent creeks, streams, and rivers. A third subdivision was put on alert for possible evacuation as well. At least 18 roads across the county were closed. The majority of the closed roads were in the northern portion of the county. Monetary damage to roads and property was estimated to be nearly $1 million. Significant flash flooding continued and expanded from southern into western Cobb county during this time frame. USGS stream gages showed that a number of creeks and streams across western and southern Cobb county were already in flood or rose to and exceeded flood stage during this time frame. This included Powder Springs Creek, Noses Creek, and Sweetwater Creek. Heavy rain and thunderstorms continued to track repeatedly from southwest to northeast across the same areas moving the area closer and closer to the record and historical flooding that unfolded during the early morning hours of the 21st. During this time period, an increasing number of roads and culverts were damaged from the rising flood waters. Damage during this time period across western Cobb county was estimated to exceed $200,000. Several USGS stream gages showed significant flooding occurring across Cobb county as the record and catastrophic flash flooding continued to unfold across the county as repeated rounds of thunderstorms with heavy rain tracked from southwest to northwest across the area. Rainfall amounts in excess of 10 inches were observed in much of the county during the nighttime and early morning hours. Sope Creek near Marietta reached flood stage of 12 feet at 238 am EDT, Nickajack Creek near Mableton reached its flood stage of 10 feet at 504 am EDT, and the Chattahoochee River near Vinings and Cobb Parkway reached its flood stage of 14 feet at 346 am EDT. Many roads adjacent these rivers and creeks suffered significant flooding, became impassable and were closed. Many other smaller creeks and streams in these same general areas also went into flood. Monetary damage to roads during this time frame was estimated at $10,000. Cobb county emergency management personnel and USGS stream gages confirmed that record to catastrophic flooding continued across much of the county. Hundreds of homes, apartments, businesses, and roads sustained damages from flooding. Many culverts and/or bridges were washed out and several roads were closed. Some of the worst flooding during this event occurred in the Cobb and Douglas county area. Flood waters began to recede after 830 am EDT on the 22nd, but many locations remained in major to record flood through 715 am EDT on the 23rd. Monetary damage from flooding continued to mount, with damage during this time frame exceeding $12.5 million. DeKalb county emergency management personnel and USGS stream gages confirmed that major to record flooding continued to expand into all parts of the county. A number of culverts and/or bridges were washed out and several roads were closed. Flood waters began to recede after 830 am EDT on the 22nd, however, many areas remained in major to record flood through 715 am EDT on the 23rd. Monetary damage from flooding continued to mount, with damage near $3.2 million during this time frame. Douglas county emergency management personnel and USGS stream gages confirmed that record to catastrophic flooding continued across much of the county. Some of the worst flooding during this event occurred in the Douglas and Cobb county areas. A number of culverts and/or bridges were washed out and many roads were closed. Some will remain closed for months up to a year. Flood waters began to recede after 830 am EDT on the 22nd, but many locations remained in major to record flood until 715 am EDT on the 23rd. Monetary damage from flooding continued to mount, with damage near $10.5 million, just during this time period. Fulton county emergency management personnel and USGS stream gages confirmed that major to record flooding continued across much of the county. Flood waters began to recede after 830 am EDT on the 22nd, however many locations, especially along the Chattahoochee River and the western border of the county, remained in moderate to major flood through 715 am EDT on the 23rd. Monetary damage from flooding continued to mount, with damage nearing $22 million during this time period. Paulding county Emergency Management personnel reported that flash flooding continued to expand and worsen across much of the county during this time frame. Multiple road closures and a number of flash flood and high water rescues were conducted during this time frame. However, no deaths were reported in Paulding county from the flash flooding. Damage to roads and bridges continued to expand||As repeated thunderstorms with heavy rain tracked across the area from the southwest, numerous major roads were blocked by high water, including U.S. More than 69 roads were eventually closed across the county. At least eight gas leaks were caused by flood waters and eight power lines were either brought down or affected by trees downed in water logged soils.||During this time frame, flood damage was estimated to be $200,000. Record and historical flooding began to expand into Cobb county during this time frame as repeated thunderstorms streamed from southwest to northeast across the region. The USGS stream gage on Sweetwater Creek near Powder Springs and the Cobb/Paulding county line began to show flash flooding expanding eastward into southwest Cobb county. The creek exceeded the flood stage of 13 feet at 1033 pm EST and continued to rise for sometime thereafter. Flooding of some roads and culverts began during this time period. Flood damage during this time frame was estimated to be near $12,000. Numerous emergency management sources, as well as local law enforcement, newspapers, broadcast media, and National Weather Service surveys confirmed that record and catastrophic flash flooding began across Douglas county during this time frame. Repeated rounds of thunderstorms with heavy rain tracked from southwest to northeast. Flash flooding was observed in most parts of the county during this time frame. Up to six inches of rain fell in this area on already saturated ground. Rain continued overnight beyond this time frame, with some parts of the county receiving nearly 22 inches by the afternoon of the 21st. Hundreds of homes and businesses were impacted before the flooding subsided, many totally destroyed. Dozens of roads and bridges were were washed out as well, including some major roads such as Georgia Highway 166. Some roads, including Georgia Highway 166 will be closed for up to a year while washed out bridges are repaired. In addition, Douglas county suffered six flash flood deaths during this event, the most of any county from the historical floods in late September 2009. Flash flood deaths are documented as follows. The first flash flood death occurred at 1030 pm EDT when a 44-year old female was attempting to cross Mobley Creek at Banks Mill Road and was swept away in her Jeep Liberty. The second flash flood death occurred at 1100 pm EDT when a 29-year old male was swept way in his sport utility vehicle while attempting to cross Pool Creek at Poole Mill Road. The third flash flood death was that of a 26-year old female who also was attempting to cross Mobley Creek at Banks Mill Road. The fourth flash flood death was that of a 27-year old male attempting to cross Town Branch Creek at Mann Road. The fifth flash flood death in Douglas county occurred where Stewart's Mill Road crosses Anneewakee Creek when a 49-year old nurse was swept away in her vehicle while attempting to cross the creek. She was on her way to work at the time. The sixth flash flood death in Douglas county was that of a 55-year old male. He was swept away in his Ford Ranger pickup truck while attempting to cross West Bully Creek on North Helton Road. Numerous other high water rescues took place. Many took place via boat to rescue people from flood homes, businesses, and vehicles.||During this time frame, damage was estimated to be close to $1 million. Damages rose into the millions overnight and Monday as the flooding continued and worsened. Paulding county Emergency Management personnel, local law enforcement, broadcast media, and newspapers reported that the historical and record flash flooding began to impact the southern portion of Paulding county during this time frame as repeated thunderstorms tracked across the area from the southwest. The most significant flooding during this time period was associated with Sweetwater Creek, which began its climb to record flood stage. By 1030 pm EDT, Sweetwater Creek near Brownsville and the Cobb/Paulding county line rose above flood stage. Several roads, culverts, and some bridges were beginning to flood during this time frame. Flood damage in southern Paulding county through 1100pm EST was estimated to be near $40,000. Rockdale county emergency management personnel and USGS stream gages confirmed that major to record flooding continued across much of the county. Flood damages peaked across the county during this time frame as many culverts and/or bridges were washed out and several roads were closed. Flood waters began to recede after 230 pm EDT on the 22nd, but many locations remained flooded through 715 am EDT on the 23rd. Monetary damage exceeded $2 million during this time frame. Paulding county emergency management personnel and USGS stream gages confirmed that record to catastrophic flooding continued across much of the county, especially the southeast portion. Flood waters began to recede after 830 am EDT on the 22nd. However, many locations remained in moderate to major flood until 715 am EDT on the 23rd. Monetary damage from flooding continued to mount, with damages exceeding $1.25 million during this time frame. The Clayton County 911 Center reported that several roads were flooded throughout the county, especially the northern sections near the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Jonesboro, Riverdale, and Forest Park. However, no roads were reported to have been closed during this time frame. Some homes and apartments suffered minor flooding, especially in the Riverdale area. Monetary damage was estimated to be $50,000. The Gwinnett County 911 Center reported that significant flooding continued and was expanding into all parts of the county. At least 30 roads were flooded, impassable, and closed throughout the county. Dozens of homes were flooded as well. Monetary damage of at least $5 million was incurred during this time frame.