Flood threat persists as rain continues

Flash flood watch today; northern suburbs face highest risk of problems.

We’re not out of the storm just yet.

Another deluge of rainy weather moved through metro Atlanta on Wednesday, continuing a dreary week of showers and the risk for flooding.

It’s a similar story for today, which is expected to see more rain make its way through, according to Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brad Nitz.

“It’s going to be another wet (morning) commute,” Nitz said, warning about off-and-on periods of rain, sometimes heavy. “Plan for extra time and standing water on the roads.”

The National Weather service issued a flash flood watch for metro Atlanta, in effect through this evening. North Georgia and northern Atlanta suburbs are most of risk of flooding.

The Atlanta region could see 1 to 3 inches of rain by tomorrow night, Channel 2 meteorologist Glenn Burns said.

”The soil is like mushy, mushy clay, and these topheavy trees that are just loaded with moisture can’t sustain themselves, and could go toppling over with just the slightest breeze,” he said.

That trend could continue for several more days, with high chances for rain on Friday and Saturday. By Sunday, an additional 2 to 4 inches of rain could fall, with higher

accumulations possible in the mountains, Channel 2 meteorologist Nitz said.

That would cap off a week of on-again, off-again precipitation, which experts said could total 8 inches in some areas of the state, and up to half a foot in metro Atlanta.

On Wednesday, light rain in the morning turned into severe storms that plagued the evening commute. The showers possibly contained heavy rain, lightning and hail, Channel 2 meteorologists warned.

Meanwhile, emergency crews responded to downed trees, fallen power lines and flooding across the region. In DeKalb County, a tree fell on two cars as they entered the

ramp to an Emory University Hospital parking deck. One person was treated for minor injuries, according to Channel 2. A downed tree in Sandy Springs on Ferry Drive took out power lines. And officials closed Willeo Drive near the Chattahoochee Nature Center due to flooding.

There is good news. A warm up is coming Thursday, with a high of around 65 degrees.