Georgia governor declares state of emergency in flooded Chattooga, Floyd Counties

A serious weather event devastated areas of northwest Georgia on Sunday, particularly Chattooga and Floyd counties. 

The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning, extended multiple times on Sunday afternoon. The flooding has the potential to be "life-threatening," according to the National Weather Service. 

Weather officials urge residents in those areas to seek high ground.

On Sunday afternoon, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp issued a formal state of emergency order, activating the Georgia Emegency Management and Homeland Security Agency.

Live VIPIR estimated nearly 10 inches of rain in Chattooga County between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. Rain continued throughout the afternoon on Sunday.

By 7:30 a.m., the areas covered by the weather warning had seen more than 8 inches of rain in six hours. Torrential rain was falling at 4.9 inches per hour at that time.

By 8:45 a.m., rainfall totals passed 10 inches and were approaching 1 foot.

The storm cell was moving slowly over the areas covered by the Flash Flood Warning. NWS is classifying the cell as a stationary front. More rain developed across north Georgia as the day went on. Some cells crept over the soaked areas of Chattooga and Floyd counties before they could drain.

High impact showers and thunderstorms are likely Sunday with similar storms are likely over metro Atlanta this afternoon and evening. 

The threat for additional heavy rain may continue through Labor Day.