Floods in Central and Southwestern Georgia in July 1994
Author(s)
Stamey, Timothy C.
Advisor(s)
Editor(s)
Hatcher, Kathryn J.
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Abstract
Parts of central and most of southwestern Georgia were
devastated by floods resulting from rainfall produced by
Tropical Storm Alberto in July 1994. Whole communities
were inundated by floodwaters as numerous streams reached
peak stages and discharges far beyond previously known
floods. As tributary floodwaters combined and moved downstream
in the Flint and Ocmulgee Rivers, peak discharges
exceeded the 100-year flood discharges along most stream
reaches. Severe flooding resulted in 31 human deaths in towns
and small communities along or near the swollen streams. A
total of 55 counties in central and southwestern Georgia were
declared Federal disaster areas by President Clinton. Several
municipal, industrial, and private water systems were
inundated and rendered unusable for three or more weeks.
Highway travel was disrupted as roadway bridges and
culverts were overtopped and, in many cases, washed out.
Roughly, 1,000 bridges were closed during the flooding, and
about 500 bridges remained closed for several days while the
bridges were temporarily repaired. About 140 bridges
remained closed for several weeks for extended repairs, and
125 were closed for replacement. Estimates of road and bridge
damage in Georgia were in excess of $130 million dollars.
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) personnel monitored and
reported flood information to other Federal, State, and local
agencies from the onset of the storm until floodwaters finally
receded. Stage and discharge data from many streams were
collected and reported to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(COE), the National Weather Service, the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, the Federal Highway Administration,
various State natural resource and highway departments,
electrical power companies, and numerous county and city
officials as these groups worked to minimize loss of life and
property. Flooding was so severe and widespread that 15
USGS gaging stations were severely damaged or destroyed,
requiring much of the data to be collected manually and
reported by cellular telephone. At the height of the flooding,
almost 40 USGS personnel were working in the field to
collect and provide hydrologic information vital to protecting
life and property.
Sponsor
Sponsored and Organized by: U.S. Geological Survey, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology
Date
1995-04
Extent
Resource Type
Text
Resource Subtype
Proceedings