People trapped in Sumter County home, flooding reported in Crisp, Dooly and Macon counties

Heavy rains and thunderstorms have wreaked havoc in the southern sections of Middle Georgia and closed schools in Dodge, Wheeler and Treutlen counties. Teachers report at 9 a.m. in Dodge County and at 10 a.m. in Treutlen County.

The National Weather Service reported severe thunderstorm winds toppled a tree onto a house which trapped several people on Oglethorpe Street in Americus shortly before 6 p.m. Monday. Several witnesses reported seeing funnel clouds in the area but a tornado has not been confirmed.

The continual rain has creeks and streams overflowing their banks in Macon, Dooly, Sumter and Crisp counties.

About two miles southeast of Cordele homes in the Cedar Creek subdivision have been threatened by the rising waters coming over the dam. More than a dozen roads are closed in Crisp County.

Three to four inches of rain fell in a narrow band from Preston through Americus to Byromville.

A flash flood watch is in effect for the southern sections of Georgia stretching from Columbus to Houston County to south of Augusta and includes Laurens, Wilkinson and Johnson counties.