After experiencing the drought of the century and all other previous centuries, Atlanta was hit with record rains that caused extensive flooding.  Hundreds of local roads and streets, major highways and interstates were closed.  Along with the floods, several deaths resulted.

Families are bidding goodbye to loved ones.  Trion teenager Nick Osley was swept away when he and his friend checked to see if anyone needed rescuing from a Jeep they saw trapped in the Chattanooga River.  His body was later found down river.  A 2-year-old Carroll County toddler named Preston Slade drowned when the flash flooding swept away his family’s mobile home.  The deal toll as a result of the flooding stands at 10.

The rains began to recede last week, however, during two days of sunshine in the area.  Residents slowly started coming back to assess the damage resulting from the floods and begin the cleanup.  Officials are pleading with impatient residents to keep away from their flooded homes until the waters recede.  Five citizens ignored barricades and had to be rescued on a flooded street in Douglas County.

Homes were not the only properties that endured extensive water damage.  Shopping centers were deluged with waist-deep water.  Roads and highways were either blocked by fallen trees or flooded to overflowing.  Property throughout the area received water damage.

The standing myth that Atlanta was landlocked is now being dismissed, mixed downstream with the flowing, flooding waters of the Chattanooga River.  Though about a five-hour drive away from each, due to the low pressure system crouched over Texas, water flowed into Metro Atlanta from both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.

Devastating scenes like this have not been seen in this area since maybe 1946.  The effects of the heavy rains have left catastrophic results in its path.  This is the first event in Atlanta in modern history where such devastation resulted from torrential rains.

Georgia State Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine surveyed the flooding by helicopter and estimated the damage at a conservative $250 million, presuming that it will increase after the flooding recedes.  Urging homeowners with flood insurance to examine their home policies carefully, Oxendine stated that homeowners may contact his office this week with questions.  Calls will be received through 7 p.m.  For questions, visit the state’s website at www.gainsurance.org or call (800) 656-2298.

Here at Roost, our hearts and prayers go out to the citizens of the Atlanta area who were impacted by these most devastating floods.