Severe weather proves advantages of alert system

Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013, 11:21am

Severe weather proves advantages of alert system

HALL COUNTY, Ga. -- Hall County residents are strongly encouraged to sign up for the Citizens Alert System in the wake of last weekend's devastating floods.

PHOTOS | Flooding and severe weather damage

"The ability to reach all residents quickly during an emergency like the ones we've seen first-hand and in the news this week is critical to our efforts," Hall County Emergency Manangement director David Kimbrell said in a statement. "The Citizens Alert System ensures Hall County first responders will be able to react quickly and efficiently to reach each individual in the case of an emergency."

The county uses the system to let residents know about such events as severe weather, road closures and natural disasters.

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Family loses home in Flowery Branch flood

Submitted by Blayne Alexander, 11Alive Reporter

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013, 7:46am

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Monday evening, much of Flowery Branch was beginning to return to normal after heavy flooding over the weekend.

The city's boil water advisory was lifted at 9pm Monday. Around the city, crews were beginning to reopen roads damaged by the heavy rain.

But one family still has a long way to go. 15-year-old Anna Alba and her family escaped their home with their lives, but little else. Their double wide trailer flooded, leaving her parents and younger brother climbing through the window to escape.

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Flowery Branch flooding draws attention to drainage pipes

Submitted by Duffie Dixon, 11Alive Reporter

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013, 12:05am

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Lamar Floyd shows us his water damaged office inside the Wayne Center - the hardest hit building during Sunday's flooding in Flowery Branch.

"I'm going to see if the computers work, I doubt they will," Floyd said. "All the computers were on the floor."

An estimated seven inches of rain fell within hours, washing out roads and closing this section of State Route 13.

Now the mayor of Flowery Branch said all of this would never have happened if drainage pipes underneath the nearby Norfolk Southern railroad tracks had been working properly.

The Army Corps of Engineers required those culverts when Lake Lanier was built to send storm water straight to the lake.
We witnessed railroad crews at those culverts today.

A spokesman for Norfolk Southern said all three culverts were working during the downpour, and that they had a culvert collapse in March and two others failed after that.

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Severe road damage remains after flooding

Submitted by Jerry Carnes, 11Alive Reporter

Monday, May 20th, 2013, 7:42pm

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Repair crews are going to have their hands full with this one. A huge section of Stephens Road is gone and there is now a 25 foot drop down to pieces of a metal culvert that was crushed by a torrent of water.

And this is just one of the issues facing road crews here in Hall County.

What a weekend for an outdoor wedding -- Kim Lingle's daughter wanted to get married in mom and dad's backyard just hours after the bride and groom tied the knot the heavens opened up dumping enough rain to wash out the only road in and out of the neighborhood.

About a half-dozen members of the wedding party were stranded for half a day until the road was repaired. Nearby, James McCrystal and his neighbors are forced to walk in and out of their neighborhood thanks to a washout on Cove Creek Drive before repairs were made a driver didn't realize the road was collapsing below him.

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Help Desk: Flowery Branch Issues Boil Water Emergency

Submitted by Bill Liss, 11Alive Reporter

Monday, May 20th, 2013, 5:33pm

FLOWERY BRANCH---A "Boil Water Advisory" is continuing Monday (May 20) until at least 9 p.m., as the City works to reopen flooded roads and buildings.

More than 7.5 inches of rain fell on the City in just 6 hours, leading to the issuance of a State of Emergency.

When it comes to drinking water, Flowery Branch isn't taking any chances.

The water coming out of your tap may look clean and good to drink, but if health officials declare a water emergency, don't risk it.

First and foremost, bring the water to a boil and let it boil for one minute.

The CDC says it will kill the germs and bacteria. Make sure you let the water cool and that you have enough for drinking water, being able to wash your fresh fruits and vegetables, brush your teeth and hand wash your dishes.

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State of emergency, boil water advisory in Flowery Branch

Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Monday, May 20th, 2013, 7:47am

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The severe weather that slammed southern Hall County Saturday night and Sunday morning caused considerable damage in Flowery Branch.

A boil water advisory continues until 9 p.m. Monday.

Roughly 7.5 inches of rain fell in the city within six hours, washing out roads and flooding buildings.

Hall County Board of Commissioners Chairman Dick Mecum issued a declaration of local emergency for the area Sunday evening. This means the area is experiencing circumstances that could affect the health, safety and welfare of residents.

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Weekend storms result in flooding, mudslide

Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Sunday, May 19th, 2013, 6:15pm

ATLANTA -- Heavy rain throughout much of metro Atlanta resulted in flooding Sunday morning.

11Alive meteorologist Allison Chinchar said certain areas in northeastern Georgia got between 4 and 6 inches of rain, including Forsyth, Hall and north Fulton counties.

PHOTOS | Rain and storm damage -- add your own

The Hall County Sheriff's Office said the Atlanta Road area of Flowery Branch should be avoided, as more than 6 inches of rain shut down the street between Spout Springs and Wade Orr roads. The city of Flowery Branch declared a state of emergency Sunday evening.

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