Crisp County residents trapped after overnight flooding

Crisp County emergency workers were in boats Sunday morning rescuing people trapped in their homes after heavy rainfall caused widespread flooding.

Several roads were completely closed, according to a sheriff’s office Facebook post.

Sheriff Billy Hancock said in a video posted to Facebook that 5.49 inches of rain had fallen. He urged people not to drive if possible and if they have to drive, to be careful.

“Please, if you see water across the roadway, turn around, don’t drown,” he said. “You have no idea how deep that water is or if the culvert underneath you has been washed away.”

Haley Little, public information officer for the sheriff’s office, said Sunday afternoon that all of the trapped residents had been rescued. Emergency personnel from Turner and Dooly counties assisted.

She said there was a minor injury due to a traffic accident possibly caused by the flooding but she wasn’t aware of any other injuries.

Little said the county was still recovering from Hurricane Michael and leftover debris may have contributed to the flooding by blocking drainage. She said some people had tarps over their roofs damaged by Michael and as a result suffered additional damage from the flooding.

This story was originally published December 2, 2018 at 10:05 AM.