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Flooding closes interstate as heavy rains soak southeast Georgia

By The Associated Press
Published  November 7, 2024 8:10pm EST
Severe Weather
Associated Press
Flooding closes a portion of I-16 in south Georgia due to heavy rains on Nov. 7, 2024. article

Flooding closes a portion of I-16 in south Georgia due to heavy rains on Nov. 7, 2024.

The Brief

    • Flooding rains on Thursday led to the closure of a portion of Interstate 16 in southeast Georgia, specifically the westbound lanes.
    • Bulloch and Screven counties received approximately 8 to 10 inchesof rain, prompting flash flood warnings across several counties.
    • Bulloch County authorities reported many roads submerged, and flooding caused westbound lane closures on I-16 near Statesboro.
    • Savannah experienced around 6 to 8 inches of rain, resulting in cars being stranded in deep floodwater.
    • There were no immediate reports of injuries; however, the flooding affected areas that had previously experienced river flooding from Tropical Storm Debby in August, with expectations of the Canoochee River cresting at similar levels.

STATESBORO, Ga. - Flooding rains Thursday inundated several counties in southeast Georgia, where a portion of Interstate 16 was shut down with westbound lanes covered by water.

Downpours Wednesday and Thursday swamped Bulloch and Screven counties with an estimated 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 centimeters) of rain, according to the National Weather Service. Several counties were under flash flood warnings from Thursday morning into the evening.

Bulloch County authorities reported dozens of roads underwater. And traffic had to be rerouted off I-16 near Statesboro after all westbound lanes were closed due to flooding, the Georgia Department of Transportation said on its website.

Further east, Savannah got drenched by an estimated 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters) of rainfall. Local news outlets showed images of cars stalled in flooded streets with water past their bumpers.

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

The pounding rains were falling in some Georgia communities that saw river flooding from Tropical Storm Debby in August. Emergency officials in Evans County said in a social media post that the Canoochee River was expected to crest near the same height that triggered flooding of low-lying areas during Debby.

"If you were flooded during Debby there is a good possibility that you will be flooded now," Evans County Emergency Management posted on Facebook.