National Weather Service places Lee County under flood warning

LEESBURG — The National Weather Service in Tallahassee issued a flood warning this morning for the Kinchafoonee Creek at Pinewood Road eastward to the Flint River in Lee County.

As of this afternoon, the Kinchafoonee Creek is now projected to rise to approximately 15.3 feet.

“County officials said they are continuing to monitor the situation and will provide updates as they become available,” an email sent from deputy county clerk Kaitlyn Sawyer said this afternoon. “We urge citizens along the water to be monitor the conditions.”

The NWS advises all people with interests along the creek and river to monitor the latest forecasts and be prepared to take necessary precautions to protect life and property. Officials encourage the public to avoid driving cars through flooded areas.

Moderate flood stage for the creek is 16 feet, so the latest reading would put it near the top of the minor flood range. Minor flooding is forecasted. The flood stage is 13 feet, and at 16 feet the creek would be in the moderate range.

The NWS said the creek is expected to rise above flood stage Friday morning and continue to rise to near 14.9 feet by Sunday evening.

At 16 feet, private dwellings on the right bank near the bridge will begin to flood. Several homes along the lower Kinchafoonee Road area are expected to experience significant flooding.

The NWS forecast for the Leesburg area into Monday shows that mostly clear skies are predicted with some periods of patchy frost during the morning hours.

For graphical hydrologic information, go to www.weather.gov and click on Georgia. Select “Rivers and Lakes” and click on the appropriate river point.