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Posted on March 8, 2003 |
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Posted on March 8, 2003 |
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"Satilla Rising Fast; More Rain On Way" Waycross Journal-Herald, Wednesday, March 5, 2003 The Satilla River at the U.S. Highway 84 bridge between Waycross and Blackshear rose more than two feet in the last 24 hours and is continuing to rise at a brisk pace. Gauges measuring the river level put the water at 16.5 feet this morning, a half a foot above the flood stage, said Jimmy Brown, acting Ware County Emergency Management agent. He said at 10 o'clock this morning that an alert was being posted for all residents living in flood-prone areas. He said everyone living near the river is asked to begin voluntary evacuation. "We expect the river to continue to rise and we certainly don't want anyone trapped," Brown said. Since February 1, through 7 a.m., Tuesday, Ware County had received 9.47 inches of rain. More rain is forecast for the coming days and into the weekend, Brown said. Flooding on dirt roads in Ware and surrounding counties has officials keeping a watchful eye in an effort to keep schools open and emergency access to any problem areas. This morning, all schools in the area remained open, but many after-school activities have been halted until better weather. In Brantley County, Dr. Al hunter said all of the after-school activities have been stopped because he doesn't want the students having to return home in bad weather on bad roads. The Satilla River at Atkinson between Nahunta and Brunswick officially flooded its banks earlier this week. In Atkinson, the Satilla measured 16.3 feet and rising this morning. Pierce County's EMA director David O'Neal said that so far all roads there are passable, but if the rain continues, he said, "We are going to have difficulty with the school buses. School is still open" he said, adding that the road department crews are working long hours to keep the roads in as good shape as possible. Brown said Ware County has several residential areas, especially on the north banks of the Satilla near Jamestown, where water can rise quickly and residents could become trapped in their homes. Their only access to the outside world when the river exceeds its banks is a boat, he said. These areas, he said, have not flooded since the early 1990s. With residents feeling secure in that, they become complacent, he said, with gives officials and rescue cause for concern. Brown urges everyone to keep a close eye to the river, the rising water, and to make plans for evacuation as early as possible.
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