Flash flood watch remains in effect for Middle Georgia Thursday

A flash flood watch remains in effect for Middle Georgia until 7 p.m. Thursday, with moderate to heavy rainfall expected to continue until early evening, the National Weather Service said.

“While rain is becoming less widespread, there is still a potential for flash flooding with short bursts of moderate to heavy rain, especially across central Georgia,” according to the NWS forecast. “Additional rainfall totals up to 1 inch are likely, with some locally higher amounts possible where storms rain over the same area.

“With ongoing high streamflows and already-saturated soils, runoff from this additional rain will lead to a greater threat of flash flooding.”

A flood warning also remains in effect for the Ocmulgee River near Macon affecting Bibb, Houston, Jones, Monroe and Twiggs counties, the NWS said.

In Macon-Bibb County, the boat ramps in Amerson River Park and on the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail at Spring Street remained closed Thursday because of rising levels of the Ocmulgee River, the Macon-Bibb Emergency Management Agency reported on Facebook.

Also closed was the unpaved pond trail in Amerson River Park.

“Our crews will continue to monitor levels and make additional closures, as needed,” the post said.

In Crisp County, south of Macon, a road washed out Thursday on Cannon Road north of Cannon Branch. Portions of other roadways in Crisp County were also closed due to flooding, the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office reported on Facebook.

By early afternoon, Crisp County was under a local state of emergency as a result of the flooding, the sheriff’s office posted on Facebook.

Other counties reported road closures Thursday morning due to flooding including Dooly and Laurens. Additionally, Dooly and Laurens county school systems closed school for students Thursday due to hazardous road conditions, with teachers reporting in at 9 a.m.

No severe weather is in the forecast for Friday, with sunny skies expected.

This story was originally published March 5, 2020 at 8:23 AM with the headline "Flash flood watch remains in effect for Middle Georgia Thursday."