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The Chattahoochee River Floods Metro Atlanta Neighborhood
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Photo: Mark Lamprecht
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Martietta, GA - An East Cobb neighborhood that sits along the Chattahoochee River got its share of flooding amidst the heavy Georgia rainfall.
As the heavy rain fell the Chattahoochee River could not contain the excess water. Columns Drive and its residents soon became the benefactor of the extra water.
The water ended up covering the bridge on Columns Drive keeping many residents in their home. Those that were not home during the flooding could not get there. Some were unfortunate enough to try driving through the flooded road only to get stuck.
To make matters worse many residents lost power around 2 pm on the day after the rain fall. Normally, this is not a big deal since the electricity is normally restored in short order, especially once storm has passed. However, the electricity would be off for 26 hours or so. The transformer was actually underwater. GA Power had to wait until the water subsidded so they could reach the affected transformer and restore power.
For some parents though electricity was a secondary concern. Water blocked the roadway and some parents were unsure how they would get their elementary school children home from school. Some called friends and family for help. One family made a trek through the woods, which contains walking trails, to get their child. The high school and middle school kids were probably the happiest since they never made it to school that morning.
It was not until the second day after the storms that the water started subsidding opening the roadway. Now the authorities had to contend with debris from the river, mud, standing water and a dozen or so stranded vechicles. Debris was stacked on the side of the road, standing water slowly drained and the vechicles slowly moved. One car had water pouring out of its tail pipe as the owner tried starting it. Another could be seen scooping water out of the hatchback area. It was a slow drive trying to leave Columns Drive while cars were being towed and water drained with many people being turned back.
At one point the police blocked off the road and a helicopter landed. Several helicopters could be seen flying and hoovering around the flood scene, but landing one of them? It is unclear whether or not the helicopter was medical or media related. It is still a wonder exactly how a helicopter fit on Columns Drive.
Eventually, power was restored around 3pm and the road was opened at around 2 pm. A special note of gratitude is owed to the hard working police officers and fireman. Even workers from GA Power, Comcast and AT&T could all be seen working in the water and mud. There will probably be some auto and home repairs, but given the circumstances and reported deaths from Georgia flooding the neighborhood seemed to turn out OK. The kids came away with the best deal. They get three days off from school.
Water is amazing in that it maintains and nurtures so much life, yet can also be so destructive. Incidents like this are not in an individuals control. Though they are forseeable to a point that the individual must take a level of responsibility. Like many (most) things in life one can prepare for the flood waters while not controlling them. Plans can be made for if/when a flood comes, when it arrives and for the recovery.
It can a struggle at times to know how to take the floods of life. Some question whether they are being punished for being a bad person or for a particular deed they have done. However, Jesus tells us that the sun shines and the rain pours on both the good and the bad. The Christian is to love God and serve his neighbor much like people serve each other in disasters such as above. This is regardless of whether friend or enemy. A Christian might not be "paid" in the sense of a public servant. A Christian has been paid for by Jesus blood on the cross which is more than any amount of worldly currency could match. The Christian has been given living water, that is Christ Himself, to share with the world in times like these and even daily. It is amazing what can be learned from a flood with a little reflection.
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