Dozens of roads flooded by the record rainfall on Tuesday kept some Georgia students away Wednesday from their scheduled first day of school for 2009, and have many residents watching as creeks swell.

Catoosa County was at the center of the rising water in Northwest Georgia, and schools were closed across the county to keep students off dangerous, flooded roads.

Schools were also closed, though, in Walker, Dade and Gordon counties — all because of the potential risk of travel on flooded roads and some also citing the rain’s impact on school buildings and campuses.

“All concerned concurred that school should not be in session today to ensure the safety of students and staff,” said Walker County Schools Superintendent Melissa Mathis in a statement.

There did not appear to be any extensive property damage or injuries as a result of the flooding, authorities said.

In Catoosa County, Fort Oglethorpe Police Department Lt. Gary McConathy said Wednesday afternoon. “They had about 40 streets and roads closed due to high water in the unincorporated areas of Catoosa County last night, but the water has been going down pretty quickly.”

out of the first

Today’s weather — gusty winds, low humidity and sunshine — may help dry soggy soils following the record-setting rains, but flooding conditions might worsen before improving today.

The National Weather Service office in Peachtree City, Ga., on Wednesday issued an advisory about flooding conditions in Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Murray, Walker and Whitfield counties.

“Excessive runoff form heavy rainfall, on the order of 4-6 inches Tuesday, will continue through at least early Thursday,” the advisory states.