Cobb County residents face continued flash flooding risk as a Flood Watch remains in effect through midnight Friday night, July 24, according to the National Weather Service office in Peachtree City.
The NWS issued its Hazardous Weather Outlook at 4:26 a.m. Thursday, July 23, warning that multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms will increase the risk of localized flash flooding through Thursday night and into the weekend. The strongest storms may produce frequent lightning and gusty winds.
Heat index values in the triple digits are expected across Cobb County and the surrounding metro area each day through the forecast period, compounding the danger for anyone working or spending time outdoors.
What's driving the storms
The National Weather Service said the persistent storm threat stems from interplay between moisture streaming off Tropical Storm Bertha and a stalling frontal boundary across north Georgia. That combination is producing repeated storm cells that track over the same areas, a pattern meteorologists call "training," which dramatically increases rainfall totals in localized spots.
The NWS forecast called for widespread rainfall of 2 to 4 inches across north Georgia, with locally higher amounts of at least 5 inches possible, according to a Wednesday, July 22, forecast discussion.
Recent flash flooding in East Cobb's backyard
The county, which saw devastating floods in 2009, has already experienced flash flooding this month. On Friday, July 17, NWS Atlanta issued a Flash Flood Warning specifically for northeastern Cobb County, along with Sandy Springs, Roswell, and Johns Creek. That warning covered an estimated 945,540 people, 120 schools, and 5 hospitals within the warning polygon.
The current Flood Watch covers all of Cobb County as part of a broader alert spanning more than 100 counties across north and central Georgia.
How to stay safe
Cobb County Emergency Management Agency Director Cassie Mazloom's office publishes flood safety guidance, including "10 steps to stay safe before, during, and after a flood," available at cobbcounty.gov. Residents can also download the CobbGov app and enable emergency notifications to receive real-time weather alerts.
The NWS advises residents to avoid walking or driving through flood waters and to move immediately to higher ground if water is rising.
Residents who observe severe weather can submit reports through weather.gov/atlanta. The Cobb County Emergency Management Agency can be reached at (770) 499-4567 or [email protected].
