Heavy Rains Prompt Mobile Home Park Evacuation, Flood Warnings

Flood waters forced the evacuation of a Gwinnett County mobile home park Monday morning, according to Gwinnett County authorities.

No injuries were reported.

Gwinnett Fire Capt. Tommy Rutledge said some children had to be carried by firefighters from their homes with flood waters as deep as four feet at the Jones RV and Mobile Home Park on Williow Trail Parkway near Norcross. More than 20 people were able to walk through water to safer ground.

The flooding was discovered shortly before 11 a.m. by a Gwinnett County police officer who checked the back part of the park, which is known to be flood-prone.

Police officers and firefighters went door-to-door to evacuate about 30 residences.

“One resident told police that his home had about an inch of water inside,” Rutledge said in a news release. “No other damage has been reported. The majority of home sites experienced water up to the under-pinning and trailer skirt, but did not penetrate the living space.”

Authorities believe waters from rain-swollen Beaver Ruin Creek may have contributed to the flooding conditions. Residents in the affected homes will not be able to return until the water level recedes and utilities are restored.

High water also impacted other areas in Gwinnett.

• Lilburn Police reported two roads were closed for a time Monday due to flooding. Harbins Road from Jay to Arrowind (between U.S. 29 and Dickens Road) and Hillcrest Road at Jackson Creek have both been re-opened.
• The City of Suwanee said the Greenway and Martin’s Farm Road were closed by high water.
• The National Weather Service in Peachtree City issued a flood warning through the evening in Gwinnett County, including the Alcovy River near Lawrenceville (affecting Gwinnett and Walton counties) and Sweetwater Creek near Lilburn.
• A flood warning for Suwanee Creek is in effect until Tuesday afternoon. Flood stage is 8 feet and the river was expected to reach 9 feet by Monday evening. The weather service said most of the Suwanee Creek Greenway and trails are flooded from the Suwanee Creek Park to George Pierce Park.

The weather service said as much as 6 inches of rain have fallen in many places since Saturday.

Photos: Gwinnett Fire PIO