In Gilmer County, where the highest amount of rain came down, emergency responders worked to pull stranded residents from their flooded neighborhoods to dry ground.
A mudslide around 8 a.m. Thursday blocked a portion of Highway 136 near the Dawson-Pickens County line. Two people were trapped for a time in their vehicle when that vehicle got stuck in the mud.
Pickens County also has had problems with flood waters. The Forsyth County Swiftwater Rescue Team sent five crew members to Pickens County to assist with various rescue operations.
The Northeast Georgia Red Cross opened a shelter Thursday at Gilmer Middle School on South Main Street in Ellijay. The shelter will remain open into Friday morning.
Red Cross assessment teams were expected to fan out across Gilmer County Friday and distribute supplies and respond to emergency requests.
In Forsyth County, fire division chief Jason Shivers said Forsyth County crews were busy in their own county, as well. A portion of Post Road/Highway 371 near Vickery Creek Middle School washed away after four inches of rain fell in a matter of three-and-a-half hours over Bentley Creek; Bentley Creek runs under Post Road.
Shivers said the northbound side of the busy road was open, but the southbound side would remain closed for an undetermined amount of time.
Also in Forsyth County, officials said the gravity sewer line feeding the Fowler Water Reclamation Facility was flooded. The sewer spillage was discovered at about 6:00 a.m. Thursday and has since been stopped.
According to initial assessments , it's possible a manhole was damaged during the flooding, allowing the excess of water into the sewer.
Red Cross Shelter location
Gilmer Middle School, 1860 S. Main Street, Ellijay Georgia
Residents of Pickens or Gilmer County that experienced damage or have needs may contact the local chapter of Red Cross at 770-532-8453.
Flooding near Clear Creek Acres subdivision off of Homer Wright Road in Gilmer County. (Photo from the Gilmer County Sheriff's Office Facebook page)
Waters have receded along Post Road, but repair work continues (Photo from FCSO Facebook page)
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