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Eight Dead in Southeast Floods

By the Associated Press

Posted Sep 22, 2009 10:34 AM CDT

(AP) – Washed-out roads and flooded interstate highways around Atlanta added to the misery today after days of torrential rain in the Southeast that claimed at least eight lives, including a 15-year-old boy whose body was found in the Chattooga River. Authorities urged people who don't need to drive to stay home, a day after Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue declared a state of emergency in 17 counties.

"It's going to be a long morning. We're asking people to be patient," said a Department of Transportation spokeswoman. The good news was that the rain was tapering off in many areas. The National Weather Service said there was more rain to come, but the likelihood and severity will decline in the coming days. Days of downpours have saturated the ground from Alabama to western North Carolina, just months after an epic two-year drought in the region ended.

A female motorist abandons her flooded vehicle on I-85 South near Lilburn, Ga., as part of the highway becomes covered with water during rush hour on Monday, Sept. 21, 2009.
A female motorist abandons her flooded vehicle on I-85 South near Lilburn, Ga., as part of the highway becomes covered with water during rush hour on Monday, Sept. 21, 2009.   (CURTIS COMPTON)
A washed out bridge is shown Monday, Sept. 21, 2009 in Douglasville, Ga. Heavy rain caused flooding in and around the Atlanta area.
A washed out bridge is shown Monday, Sept. 21, 2009 in Douglasville, Ga. Heavy rain caused flooding in and around the Atlanta area.   (John Bazemore)
Garrett Jacobs, Dakota Nelson, and Levi Wright move a barricade to higher ground after flood waters from the Yellow River continued to rise Monday in Lilburn. Ga.
Garrett Jacobs, Dakota Nelson, and Levi Wright move a barricade to higher ground after flood waters from the Yellow River continued to rise Monday in Lilburn. Ga.   (AP Photo/Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Curtis Compton)
Nafisha Lahut, 11, tends to her 4-year-old sister Zariyah at a Red Cross disaster center in Marietta, Ga., on Monday, after the family evacuated their home.
Nafisha Lahut, 11, tends to her 4-year-old sister Zariyah at a Red Cross disaster center in Marietta, Ga., on Monday, after the family evacuated their home.   (CURTIS COMPTON)
A flooded SUV is shown in a rain soaked creek near Douglasville, Ga., Monday, Sept. 21, 2009. Heavy rain caused flooding in and around Atlanta.
A flooded SUV is shown in a rain soaked creek near Douglasville, Ga., Monday, Sept. 21, 2009. Heavy rain caused flooding in and around Atlanta.   (John Bazemore)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Altoecko
Sep 23, 2009 3:59 AM CDT
In the heart of the beast where I am. We're all good but a LOT of places got flooded. Kennesaw University was closed for two days in a row. It takes a lot of rain to close an entire university for two days.
BlahBlahBlah
Sep 22, 2009 4:05 AM CDT
I hope that all affected make it though ok. Those who did not make it rest in peace.

Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

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