The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for Sweetwater Creek which will affect conditions in  Cobb, Douglas and Paulding counties. 

Sweetwater Creek begins as a small stream in Paulding County, which widens to the size of a small river before entering Cobb County. It follows a meandering path through the Powder Springs and Austell areas of Cobb County before entering Douglas County.  

There is a history of flooding on the creek, including a catastrophic flood in 2009.

Minor flooding has already occurred near I-20.  

The warning is in effect until early Saturday morning, January 27.

What is in the Flood warning statement?

The following text is from the flood warning alert:

Flood Warning

Flood Statement

National Weather Service Peachtree City GA

303 AM EST Fri Jan 26 2024

…The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in

Georgia…

  Sweetwater Creek near Austell affecting Cobb and Douglas Counties.

…The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Georgia…

  Sweetwater Creek at Brownsville at Powder Springs affecting Cobb

  and Paulding Counties.

For the Sweetwater Creek…including Powder Springs, Powder Springs,

Powder Springs, Austell, Austell, Austell, Sweetwater Creek below

Austell…Minor flooding is forecast.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive

cars through flooded areas.

Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood

deaths occur in vehicles.

Additional information is available at weather.gov/atlanta.

The next statement will be issued this afternoon at 315 PM EST.

&&

GAC067-223-262015-

/O.CON.KFFC.FL.W.0081.000000T0000Z-000000T0000Z/

/PDSG1.1.ER.240125T2345Z.240126T0645Z.000000T0000Z.NO/

303 AM EST Fri Jan 26 2024

…FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE…

* WHAT…Minor flooding is occurring.

* WHERE…Sweetwater Creek at Brownsville at Powder Springs.

* WHEN…Until further notice.

* IMPACTS…At 13 feet, Flood stage is reached. Minor flooding will

  occur in the woodlands…fields and pastures of the natural flood

  plain upstream and downstream from the gage at Brownsville Road.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…

  – At 1:45 AM EST Friday the stage was 13.7 feet and falling.

  – Forecast…No forecast is available for this location.

  – Flood stage is 13 feet.

  – http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

&&

LAT…LON 3375 8490 3381 8490 3385 8474 3385 8470

      3379 8469

$$

---

Flood Warning

Flood Statement

National Weather Service Peachtree City GA

303 AM EST Fri Jan 26 2024

…The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in

Georgia…

  Sweetwater Creek near Austell affecting Cobb and Douglas Counties.

…The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Georgia…

  Sweetwater Creek at Brownsville at Powder Springs affecting Cobb

  and Paulding Counties.

For the Sweetwater Creek…including Powder Springs, Powder Springs,

Powder Springs, Austell, Austell, Austell, Sweetwater Creek below

Austell…Minor flooding is forecast.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive

cars through flooded areas.

Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood

deaths occur in vehicles.

Additional information is available at weather.gov/atlanta.

The next statement will be issued this afternoon at 315 PM EST.

&&

GAC067-097-262015-

/O.EXT.KFFC.FL.W.0075.240126T0803Z-240127T1536Z/

/AUSG1.1.ER.240126T0556Z.240126T1800Z.240127T0936Z.NO/

303 AM EST Fri Jan 26 2024

…FLOOD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM EARLY THIS MORNING TO LATE

TOMORROW MORNING…

* WHAT…Minor flooding will continue.

* WHERE…Sweetwater Creek near Austell.

* WHEN…From early this morning to late tomorrow morning.

* IMPACTS…At 10 feet, Flood Stage is reached. Minor flooding

  occurs in the woodlands and fields upstream and downstream from

  the gage near the Interstate 20 bridge. Portions of a paintball

  playing field just downstream of the bridge begin to flood.

  Athletic fields in the Woodrow Wilson Park on Mount Vernon Road

  begin to flood due to water backing up in ditches.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…

  – At 2:45 AM EST Friday the stage was 10.4 feet and rising.

  – Forecast…The river will rise to 10.6 feet this evening. It

    will fall below flood stage late tonight to 6.8 feet Sunday

    morning. Additional rises are possible due to the rainfall

    through Saturday, but the river is expected to remain below

    flood stage through Tuesday.

  – Flood stage is 10 feet.

  – http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

&&

LAT…LON 3379 8464 3385 8463 3380 8459 3374 8459

      3370 8463 3376 8466

$$

About the National Weather Service

The National Weather Service (NWS) is a part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The NWS describes its role as follows:

The National Weather Service (NWS) provides weather, water, and climate forecasts and warnings for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters and ocean areas, for the protection of life and property and the enhancement of the national economy. These services include Forecasts and Observations, Warnings, Impact-based Decision Support Services, and Education in an effort to build a Weather-Ready Nation. The ultimate goal is to have a society that is prepared for and responds to weather, water and climate events.

Read all the Cobb County Courier climate and weather coverage by following this link.