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Governor declares state of emergency in 3 north Georgia counties amid storms

Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 10/15/15. Georgia Governor Nathan Deal speaks on Thursday, October 15, 2015 to officials and guests who gathered on the new Vanguard site in Trenton for an announcement that the Semi-trailer manufacturing plant is bringing 400 jobs to Dade County. Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 10/15/15. Georgia Governor Nathan Deal speaks on Thursday, October 15, 2015 to officials and guests who gathered on the new Vanguard site in Trenton for an announcement that the Semi-trailer manufacturing plant is bringing 400 jobs to Dade County.

By Associated Press December 24, 2015 2 min read

Local weather

WRCB reports a Flood Watch continues across all of north Georgia until 7 p.m. Friday. See today’s forecast here.

Photo Gallery

Atkins – Part One

The tornado that hit Arkansas on Feb. 5, 2008, shattered houses and lives when it swept through the small town of Atkins.

The Rev. David Bishop, left, pauses as his congregation sings during Sunday morning services at the Union Grove Free Will Baptist Church on Sept. 7, 2008.

Kay Cherry, the mother of Jimmy Cherry, who died with his wife and daughter in the Atkins tornado, consoles Jimmy's step-daughter-in-law in the aftermath of the storm.

A family photo of Jimmy and Dana Cherry with their daughter Emmy. The three were killed when a tornado struck their home along 4th Street in Atkins.

This was the scene Jim Kirby saw when he surveyed his property after the tornado.

Peg Kirby cradles a dog on the land where her home once stood along Fourth Street in Atkins.

This is a gallery of photos from Atkins

ATLANTA – Gov. Nathan Deal has declared a state of emergency in three north Georgia counties amid the strong storms.

Deal told multiple news outlets Thursday that his order extends to Fannin, Gilmer and Pickens counties through Jan. 10. He says more counties might be added to the list depending on the weather.

National Weather Service meteorologist Adam Baker told The Associated Press that the three counties experienced widespread flooding. He says the heavy rains have currently calmed down, but expects rainfall to pick up throughout Thursday night.

Baker says he expects an additional two inches of rain by Friday morning.

Authorities said heavy rains caused a mudslide on a mountain in north Georgia, flooded a movie theater lobby in LaGrange and led to flooding that closed several roads across the state.

More flooding, storm damage

* Governor declares state of emergency in 3 north Georgia counties amid storms * Rain causes mountain mudslide, floods theater, closes roads in Georgia * Flooding reported in Fannin County, Ga. * Ocoee River over banks, Copperhill flooding * Highway Patrol: Dayton man dies after driving into ravine that washed away bridge* Christmastime tornadoes ravage South; at least 11 killed