Gloomy weekend adds to greater Chattanooga area's rainfall total

photo Floodwaters rush across the parking at Sequoyah Baptist Tabernacle Church on Daisy Dallas Road in Hixson.

The gloomy weekend of overcast skies and near-constant rain pushed the Chattanooga area 15 inches above the average rainfall for this time of year. Since July 1 alone, the area has received nearly four inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service.

But even though the sun finally broke through the cloud cover today, don't pull out the beach towels and flip flops yet - more rain is expected. The weather service reports continued showers and thunderstorms are expected throughout this week.

The heavy rainfall over the past few days in an already rain-soaked area has caused widespread flooding and damage to the region.

A number of roads across Hamilton County were closed today because of flooding and downed trees. The 1000 block of Hot Water Road in Soddy Daisy even saw a sinkhole. The 8400 block of Daisy Dallas Road experienced some flooding earlier today, but by 9 p.m. much of the water had receded.

Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade and Gilmer counties in Georgia all reported downed trees but no major flooding. McMinn County, Tenn., experienced minor street flooding.

WRCB-TV Channel 3 reported that seven campers were stranded on Star Mountain in Polk County after the heavy rainfall caused creek levels to rise. Polk County dispatchers told the station that the campers were stranded Saturday night. Polk and Bradley County rescue crews responded to the scene. It took several hours to rescue the campers, but no injuries were reported.

In Georgia, parts of Catoosa, Murray, Walker and Whitfield counties are under a flash flood warning until 1:30 a.m. because of thunderstorms moving into the area.

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