Meeting a weather challenge

Monday's heavy rains, falling on already saturated ground, prompted significant flooding in the area at a time of year that such events are unexpected. September, unless a tropical storm or the remnant of one visits the region, is usually among the driest months of the year, according to a U.S. Weather service spokesman. That's emphatically not the case this year.

After intermittent rains last week, a potent, slow moving nontropical storm system dumped 3.37 inches of rain at the airport on Sunday -- more than doubling the previous record for rainfall on the date. That was followed, according to the Weather Service, by almost 3 more inches of rain from midnight until 9 a.m. Monday. Doppler radar indicated that some isolated spots in the region received considerably more rain than that in the same period. The result was predictable.

The deluge -- there's no other word for it, as those attempting to drive to work Monday morning can attest -- created havoc on many area streets and in many communities. Storm drains and ditches were unable to cope. Roads and neighborhoods flooded. Surging water topped a levee in North Georgia, prompting a large number of evacuations. One utility asked customers to conserve because it was no longer able to draw water form its usual source.

In addition, trees fell and there were power interruptions. Some schools on both sides of the Tennessee-Georgia border either closed or changed hours of operation. That's inconvenient to many involved, but safety in such circumstances trumps convenience.

The situation is likely to worsen today as already full creeks, streams and rivers continue to rise to or above flood stage. That, in turn, will prompt added road and school closures, more neighborhood flooding and evacuations, and additional business and industrial disruptions. The threats are not expected to recede until the possibility of prolonged periods of heavy rain dissipates. That will come, the Weather Service predicts, late today or on Wednesday.

The record-breaking rains created major problems for area residents, schools and businesses. In every instance, it appears, workers responded to calls for assistance in the best traditions of public service. The combined efforts were impressive.

Still, one person in Chattanooga is missing and presumed dead after jumping into a culvert and being swept away by the current. Evacuations continue on a sporadic basis around the region and initial accounts of damage have just begun to reach authorities. A final accounting is probably weeks away.

Though a single death is one too many, and the loss of property regrettable, the truth is that torrential rains and extensive flooding like that experienced here often cause a higher number of deaths and more extensive property damage than so far reported. That it has not is, in great part, a tribute to residents here who heeded forecasts of bad weather and acted responsibly when it arrived, and to the public servants and other emergency workers in the region who braved the elements to serve fellow citizens in a time of need.