Eight roads temporarily closed because of damage
Three people had to be rescued and eight county roads were closed because of a raging storm last Thursday.
One of the swift water rescues occurred on Legion Road, and two more people were rescued from a creek off a gravel road near John Teem Road. Both rescues involved vehicles, said Keith Kucera, Gilmer County director of Public Safety.
On Legion Road, the person was rescued from a van which had driven over a washout. Water was up to the vans headlights, and the driver had to be rescued through the window.
Off John Teem Road, Kucera said two people were in a pickup truck which was caught up in a creek.
“[Swift water rescue personnel] had to harness up and go out in chest deep water,” he said.
Legion Road was closed along with eight other roads in the county.
Gilmer County Chair Charlie Paris said county road crews worked all day Friday and most of Saturday to get all eight back open.
“We still have a lot of damage we are dealing with,” he said.
Coosawattee River crested at 12 feet 2 inches, which is probably in the top 15 ever recorded, Kucera said. In 2015, the river crested at 13 feet 8 inches, which was the ninth highest ever recorded.
Kucera commended his team for their quick reactions which saved lives.
“The swift water teams did an outstanding job,” he said.
Spring storm season is upon us, Kucera said. He encouraged residents to be aware of their surroundings and to watch out for flooding.