After heavy rains lasting the duration of the day and night Nov. 12, Dawson County saw between three to four inches of rain that caused localized flooding, according to Dawson County Fire and Emergency Services Director Danny Thompson.

Dawson County Emergency Services Engine 1 responded at 3:15 p.m. to a downed powerline that had fallen across a vehicle along Hwy. 53 East. The vehicle’s occupants were removed without incident.

Amicalola EMC responded to reconnect the powerline that left about 100 customers without power for four hours.

Later in the evening, emergency services assisted the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office as the agencies responded to localized flooding on Pine Bridge Drive, off of Dawson Forest Road, that caused a vehicle to slide off the road. Two homes off Pine Bridge Drive were also inaccessible due to rising waters. 

According to Dawson County Sheriff Jeff Johnson, the sheriff’s office responded to three roadway accidents, one private property accident and six fallen trees during the evening’s storms.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Thompson said the water has begun receding but that heavy rains are expected to continue tonight and into Wednesday that could cause another inch of rain on the roadways.

“If you see moving water going across the roadway, don’t go across it,” said Thompson. “Turn around and go another way.”

During severe weather, Thompson said he urges motorists to not put themselves in danger by trying to cross a roadway experiencing flooding because of the unpredictable nature of localized flood waters. It is hard to gauge the speed and depth of the water and is best to find an alternative route, said Thompson.

“It’s dangerous, and it’s just not worth it.” Thompson said.