2nd Round Of Heavy Storms Target GA, Triggering Flood Watch

ATLANTA, GA — During this week's second bout of storms, metro Atlanta will undergo a flood watch Friday evening while parts of Georgia enter a Level 3 risk for flash flooding.

Meanwhile, potential Saturday storms could bring tornadoes and damaging winds, according to the National Weather Service.

The new forecast comes after multiple drivers were reportedly trapped in their vehicles, having to be rescued, due to flooding from overnight storms.

Showers are expected after 4 p.m. Friday, with heavy rain and a potential thunderstorm forecast at nightfall.

The storm could last through the night and into Saturday, when the chances for thunderstorms will decrease.

The western portion of Georgia was in a Level 3 out of 4 risk for flash flooding Friday, while a slight risk of flash flooding was predicted for north and central Georgia.

"Widespread rainfall amounts of 2-4 inches are expected this evening through Saturday night with isolated higher amounts possible," the weather service said in its hazardous weather outlook.

Weather officials added heavy rainfall at least 5-7 inches could possibly form in Georgia. Winds could climb up to 20 mph, while gusts could reach 30 mph, the weather service forecast.

"With saturated soils in place thanks to previous rainfall, a flood watch has been issued for portions of northern and central Georgia from Friday evening through Saturday night for additional flooding concerns. Minor flooding of creeks, streams and rivers is still ongoing, and will likely be exacerbated by forecast rainfall this evening and overnight. Additional flooding is expected," the weather service said.

The flood watch was issued for several counties, including: Bartow, Cherokee, Forsyth, Hall, Paulding, Cobb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Barrow, Clarke, Oconee, Muscogee, Douglas, DeKalb, Rockdale, Clayton and Henry counties. It will begin at 7 p.m. Friday and is set to expire at 1 a.m. Saturday.

RELATED: Trapped Drivers Rescued, Flash Flood Warning Expired In Metro ATL

Additionally, a flood warning remains for the Big Creek Greenway near Alpharetta, impacting Forsyth and Fulton counties. Weather officials say the warning will be in effect until Monday afternoon.

At 9 feet, minor flooding expands along the creek from near Cumming to Alpharetta and Roswell. Backyards of homes off Seale Drive and Gunter Court and portions of the Golf of Georgia
begin to flood. The Big Creek Greenway experiences significant flooding up to 3 feet deep, which results in closure of most of the paths. This especially occurs upstream and downstream from the
gage on Kimball Bridge Road and Rock Mill Park. A large portion of the YMCA Campground off Preston Ridge Road will be under a foot of water," the weather service said in the alert.

"At 9:45 a.m. Friday the stage was 3.8 feet and steady. The river is expected to rise above flood stage early tomorrow afternoon to a crest of 8.8 feet early Sunday afternoon. It will then fall below flood stage late Monday morning. Flood stage is 7 feet."

There was a Level 2 out of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms Saturday, the weather service said. Damaging winds and brief tornadoes could be primary hazards with the storms.

Aside from the metro, the storms are expected to also target the Columbus area. A flood warning will continue to be in effect for the Chattahoochee River at 14th Street until around 9:45 a.m. Monday, the weather service said.

The warning was issued for Russell, Chattahoochee, Muscogee and Lee counties.

"At 32 feet, minor flooding continues to expand along the river upstream and downstream from the gage on the 14th Street bridge. Large portions of the River Walk in Columbus will be completely covered with flowing water up to 5 feet deep. Flood waters reach the maintenance doors underneath the Columbus Convention and Trade Center. The Phenix City Amphitheater in
Alabama will be flooded up to 4 feet deep. Portions of the River Walk in Phenix City will be under two feet of water," the weather service said in the alert.

Showers are expected in Savannah Friday night into Saturday, but no severe weather had been reported as of Friday afternoon.

The weather service shares updates via its website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

As of around 1:45 p.m. Friday, the National Weather Service predicted the following forecast for metro Atlanta:

This Afternoon: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 4 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. Southeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 2 a.m., then showers and thunderstorms likely after 2 a.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 58. East wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. East wind 5-15 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 56. Northwest wind 15-20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 61.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 69.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 71.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.

Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.