Heavy rainfall in Barrow County over the weekend and early part of the week prompted Barrow County Emergency Services Chief and Emergency Management Agency Director Mark Melvin to activate the county’s Emergency Operation Center (EOC).
“With the amount of rain that had fallen and the amount that was predicted to fall, it was important to get the Center open and operating to help manage all the flooding in Barrow County,” said Chief Melvin. “Through the center, we were able to coordinate with all departments in Barrow and its cities to handle all emergencies that developed throughout the storm.”
The EOC deployed teams throughout the county to assess watersheds, creeks and rivers.
Shannon Young, Director of Storm Water Management, estimated that 200 culverts were affected by the storms.
The heavy rains and subsequent flooding resulted in the temporary closure of six roads within the county. The most serious flooding occurred in the area of Wages Road in Auburn.
The Auburn Police and Public Works Departments assisted in closing the road and assessing damage.
Tanglewood Road and Blackstock Road sustained damage from the storm. Two properties in Willow Gate subdivision in Auburn were also damaged.
Melvin praised all the agencies involved in the emergency operation center activation.
“Having this coordination of all involved was crucial in minimizing the affects of the flooding,” Melvin said.
A total of 12 families were affected by flooding. There were no reports of injuries.
There was no loss of power. Water and gas utilities were unaffected as well.
On Tuesday morning, assessment teams surveyed water levels. After the rain ended, water levels began to recede.
“The EOC and all departments involved worked well in controlling damages caused by the flooding,” said Chief Melvin. “Now we will continue to monitor the situation over the next several days in the event another storm comes through Barrow County.”
