Live updates: Bridge over I-75 closed for days after Sally drenches Middle Georgia

Remnants of what was once Hurricane Sally dumped heavy rain across Middle Georgia, causing headaches for commuters early Thursday.

The heavy rains left water standing on multiple roads in Houston County, which resulted in a two-hour work delay for non-essential workers at Robins Air Force Base due to road conditions.

Riverside Drive bridge over Interstate 75, just south of the I-75 and I-16 junction in Macon-Bibb County, was closed early Thursday “due to damage caused to the structure from last night’s heavy rains,” the Georgia Department of Transportation reported.

The entire overpass is expected to remain closed until repairs completed, with an expected reopening Saturday.

The rain deluge also resulted in downed trees and power lines, with more than 1,000 Georgia Power customers in Bibb County waking up without power early Thursday.

Flooding also closed portions of Carolyn Crayton Park, formerly known as Central City Park, and Amerson River Park in Bibb County, Macon-Bibb County spokesman Chris Floore said.

Specifically, the unpaved back portion of Amerson River Park was closed, with more closings possible. Also, the boat ramps at Amerson and Spring Street were also closed due to the rising Ocmulgee River.

“That will happen through at least this weekend because the forecast for that river is to get pretty high,” Floore said.

A flood warning remained in effect for the Ocmulgee River, with the river already an inch over the flood stage 18.1 feet early Thursday, the National Weather Service reported. Minor flooding is expected, the NWS said.

Luther Williams Field in Macon also was flooded.

In Perry, A.D. Redmond Park at 1174 James St. was under water Thursday morning, according to a Perry police Facebook post.

Macon-Bibb County EMA Director Spencer Hawkins said a few downed trees and some localized flooding were reported from the storm.

Hawkins applauded on-call public works crew that didn’t go home overnight and the crew that came on at at 6 a.m. Thursday.

“We’re doing really well,” he said.

Houston County EMA Director Chris Stoner said water was standing on multiple roads early Thursday.

“It was a flash-flooding event,” Stoner said. “Luckily, water moved down pretty quick. It just happened to be at morning transit times for everybody.”

Only Leisure Lake Drive in Warner Robins remained impassable by Thursday afternoon, Stoner said. He said he expected that remaining flood water to recede and the road to reopen by Thursday night.

Also, several vehicles had to be hauled away after motorists drove on the flooded roads, Stoner said. All of these motorists were able to get out of their vehicles on their own, he said.

Stoner advised property owners to remove debris from storm water inlets, or drainage inlets, once the water has receded and its safe to do so to prevent future flooding.

Overnight rainfall totals for Middle Georgia ranged from 4 to 8 inches.

If you have photos of storm damage or flooding, please email them to breaking@macon.com.

This story was originally published September 17, 2020 at 7:18 AM.