Original story:
About two to three inches of rain is expected across the Chattanooga area Monday with much of southeast Tennessee and north Georgia in a flood watch until Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.
In Tennessee, Hamilton, Bradley, Sequatchie, Bledsoe, Rhea, Meigs, McMinn and Marion counties are in a flood watch until Tuesday evening. In Georgia, Dade, Walker, Catoosa, Whitfield, Murray, Chattooga and Gordon counties are in a flood watch beginning Monday at 1 p.m. until Tuesday evening, NWS reports.
Several area school districts will be closed Tuesday, including Hamilton County, Whitfield County and Bradley County schools. Hamilton County school-aged childcare locations will be open tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Barger Academy, Battle Elementary, Daisy Elementary, East Brainerd Elementary, East Ridge Elementary, McConnell Elementary, Harrison Elementary, and Red Bank Elementary.
Other school closings: Cleveland City, Athens City, Etowah City, Sweetwater City, Marion County, McMinn County, Meigs County, Polk County and Rhea County.
A slow moving front will approach the area Monday morning bringing the threat of heavy rainfall and flooding. Rainfall amounts of two-three inches will be common with amounts up to 5 inches possible. After last week's heavy rainfall, flooding will be possible, which may worsen conditions in areas that have not yet recovered. Flooding could occur in low-lying and urbanized areas, rivers, creeks and streams and could continue well after the rain ends.
With another 4 to 5 inches of rain expected to fall this week in Chattanooga, the rain-swollen Tennessee River in Chattanooga is projected to remain 6 to 7 feet above normal through the week as the Tennessee Valley Authority tries to cope with twice as much rainfall as normal so far this year.
Late morning through Monday afternoon will see the heaviest, most widespread rain, according to our news partners at WRCB. The area can expect rain through Thursday with a colder and drier Friday and Saturday, WRCB reports.
This is a developing story. Stay with the Times Free Press for updates.
