Flash Flooding With 'Tropical-Like' Storms To Swamp GA

ATLANTA, GA — High humidity levels during storms will create a "tropical-like" atmosphere Tuesday in Georgia, possibly bringing up to 4 inches of rain and localized flash flooding to the state and causing travel issues.

The heaviest rainfall may occur in areas north of Interstate 20, from Rome to Jasper to Gainesville to Blairsville to Dalton, said Keith Stellman, meteorologist in charge with the National Weather Service's Peachtree City office.

He told Patch the impacted areas include metro Atlanta and the North Georgia mountains.

With early morning showers, Stellman said the storms and flooding could begin after 3 p.m. Tuesday. Lightning may also blend in with the storms.

In areas where 3 to 4 inches of rain drops, localized flooding in some isolated areas is possible, making roads dangerous for travel.

"If it happens over a short period of time, like one or two hours, any low-lying areas or roads can fill up with water, and drains can back up in those cases," Stellman said. "You obviously do not want to drive through."

Roads covered with water will make it difficult to see what is under the road or determine if the road is still intact, he added.

Storm chances for Wednesday are high but may dwindle as the weekend nears. However, Stellman warned temperatures could rise to 90-degree real-feel temperatures and 100-degree heat indices.

Though the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is currently monitoring Tropical Storm Erin in the Atlantic Ocean, Stellman noted the system may not brush along the East Coast for 8 to 10 days, if it nears landfall at all.

The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency offers tips for facing flooding and flash flooding.

Updates will be posted on the weather service's Twitter page, the weather service's Facebook page and its website.

Here is the National Weather Service's Tuesday morning forecast for metro Atlanta:

Today: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2 p.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., then showers and thunderstorms likely after 5 p.m. High near 81. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 11 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. West wind around 5 mph.

Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.

Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.

Friday Night: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.

Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.

Saturday Night: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m. Mostly clear, with a low around 73.

Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.

Sunday Night: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 72.

Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 90.