Heavy rain causes flooding through metro Atlanta
ATLANTA - An afternoon of heavy rains prompted a Flood Warning for a portion of metro Atlanta Tuesday afternoon.
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Gwinnett County’s Swiftwater Rescue Team was called into a business Tuesday afternoon to help employees get out of work after their parking lot flooded.
It happened in the 6800 block of Mimms Drive near Button Gwinnett Drive around 1:30 p.m. Firefighter said a combination of heavy rains and blocked drains created waist to chest deep water in the parking lot.
RELATED: Flash Flood Watch through Wednesday morning
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About 27 people had to be helped from the building. The rescue team was able to take most out the front of the building where there was only ankle deep water.
No one was injured, but several vehicles appeared stranded in the flood water.
The rain in Gwinnett County was so bad the Gwinnett Braves postponed their game Tuesday night against the Charlotte Knights. It will be rescheduled as a doubleheader on Wednesday, June 21 starting at 5:05 p.m.
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In Atlanta, traffic was crawling as motorists avoided becoming swamped along flooded streets. FOX 5 News spotted several roadways covered with water especially at Piedmont Road and Monroe Drive.
Officials are warning afternoon commuters to allow extra time and pack extra patience as delays are likely expected into the early evening hours. They are advising people to use caution along flooded roads.
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The Red Cross was also busy Tuesday afternoon and evening responding to help those affected by the torrential downpour.
A spokesperson said about 23 people at the Heights At Chamblee Apartments were displaced because of the flooding. Another 20 people at the Centre At Peachtree Corner Apartments near Norcross were also forced out of their homes because of high water.
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In Clarkston, the Red Cross said residents at the Plantation Park Apartments were forced to evacuate after a portion of the roof and wall collapsed.
Red Cross officials said they will be helping the families meet immediate needs, such as food, clothing, lodging, and other essentials. They will also help find avenues to help families fully recover.
At least one major sewage spill was blamed on the heavy rains. The DeKalb County Watershed said a manhole overflowed along Melanie Court spill a little over 36,000 gallons of sewage into Shoal Creek.