Walker County, GA – Public Works crews have been identifying roads impacted by flooding today. Several areas will require repairs, as the ground around drainage tiles has eroded underneath the asphalt.

The following roads remain closed:

-Reo Road
-Lake Howard at Arnold
-McCarter Road
-Shinbone Ridge (down to one lane near Possumtrot Branch)

In addition, Public Works crews continue to remove storm debris across the entire county.

Emergency Management team members returned to the area impacted by the EF2 tornado Sunday night.  Following a preliminary damage assessment, an additional seven homes were discovered to have storm damage, bringing the total number to 31.

During our damage assessments, team members talk directly with those impacted by the tornado and ask residents if they need help. Although no one has requested assistance, if anybody has an immediate need, we invite you to call our 911 Emergency Center at 706-375-7810.

As for volunteers, there is a process of ensuring an area is safe after a disaster before we push out contact information about credentialed volunteer groups. We must first get the roads reopened and make sure they are safe for travel. Then we have to clear the right of ways and make sure they are safe for power providers, utility companies and insurance adjusters to work.

As of midday, the roads in the Highway 151/Halls Valley Road area have been reopened. However, NGEMC and several other utility companies were still working on Halls Valley and Ramey Roads.

We have established volunteer organizations ready to provide resources, if needed. We have been in contact with the Northwest Georgia Chapter of the Red Cross since day one. Walker County CERT, the Salvation Army, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, and the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Committee on Relief also stand ready to assist.