Flooding in Bulloch County is forcing evacuations and closing roads throughout the area

Parts of Bulloch County are dealing with significant flooding after a deluge of rain swept through the area overnight. Some locations recorded over 20 cm of rainfall on Thursday, November 7, 2024. Rapid and dangerous conditions prevail throughout the county.

Bulloch County Sheriff's Deputies and Bulloch County Public Works crews are actively monitoring road conditions and reporting multiple closures. Some of these road closures are expected to be temporary in nature and will only last a few hours until the water recedes. However, certain unpaved roads and some paved roads sustained more damage and require detailed investigation. The Bulloch County Public Works Department noted that full assessment of many roads cannot be completed until flood waters have significantly receded.

There was a temporary closure at 2 p.m. Thursday due to water crossing westbound I-16 around Exit 113.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Charleston reports that the heaviest rainfall has likely passed, although the area could see another inch or more throughout Thursday and into the night. A flood warning remains in effect for Bulloch County until 7 p.m. Thursday.

Bulloch County Sheriff Noel Brown Grice Connect said more roads were closed than there were road closure signs. He urged citizens to exercise extreme caution when traveling through the county. If you come across a road covered in water, turn around and do not cross it. It is difficult to see the condition of the road underwater.

He reported that they have closed Adabell Road toward Excelsior and Adablee Road toward Kennedy Bridge Road because they are concerned about water levels moving under the bridges.

The Bulloch County EMA is working to maintain an updated list of road closures on its Facebook page for residents to track.

Emergency crews, including the Statesboro Fire Department, Bulloch County Fire Department, Bulloch County Sheriff's Deputies and Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GA DNR) agents, have evacuated approximately ten families from their homes since midnight due to rising floodwaters.

Aid organizations such as Bulloch VOAD and Bulloch Strong are providing hotel accommodation and looking for longer-term housing options for affected families.

As the flood warning remains in effect, the NWS is warning residents to be alert for flash flooding in at-risk areas. Excessive runoff could continue to impact rivers, streams and low lying regions, with additional rainfall posing a further risk. All residents are urged to exercise caution, avoid flooded roads and remain prepared for possible flash flood warnings.

For more information on road closures and local emergency updates, follow Bulloch County EMA on Facebook.