Flood waters force road closures in downtown Helen

HELEN, Ga. - The city of Helen, Georgia is seeing the full brunt of all of the state's recent torrential rainfall.

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In the downtown area of the city, both emergency officials and tourists watched the waters of the Chattahoochee River take over one of the main tourist thoroughfares.

Several roads near the downtown area were shut down due to the water, which rose to knee height.

Thick mud remained as the rain stalled and waters started receding.

Helen's police chief told FOX 5 News that emergency officials are monitoring the water levels in case more roads need to be blocked or evacuation orders need to be issued. 

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We haven't seen anything like this in a long time," said Drew Kelly, general manager of the Troll's Tavern as he looked at the layer of mud on his patio.

Half a foot of rain in one nights time, causing the river at the center of Helen, Georgia's Alpine Village, to become the attraction: 

"I've been walking around Helen, looking at all the damage," said Kaleb Manus, in bare feet along the banks of the Chattahoochee River. "I've never seen it so high here," he added. 

Powerful currents, rising over the banks of the river overnight. A break in the rain, allowing a look at the mud and debris left behind. A mess that had riverside businesses scrambling to clean it up.

"If we let it pile up, it's just going get worse," said Kelly, as he shoveled and power washed.

Cool River Tubing employees, anticipating the heavy rain, had placed sandbags along the perimeter of the building. But those precautions couldn't keep the water out, though. 

No injuries or structural damage have been reported.