Photo Credit: Carter Logan / Chattooga Farm Bureau

Photo Credit: Allison Edmondson

Photo Credit: Allison Edmondson

Downtown Summerville experienced flash flooding on Thursday afternoon as heavy rains and thunderstorms dumped between three and five inches of precipitation in a short period, impacting local businesses and causing concern among residents.

The deluge quickly overwhelmed the area’s drainage systems, leading to standing water in the streets and affecting storefronts in the heart of the city. Summerville City Manager Jason Winters, along with City of Summerville public works employees, were observed actively working to clear drainage grates, aiming to alleviate the accumulating floodwaters.

While the unexpected flooding caused disruption for downtown shops, governmental offices, and other businesses, there was a shared sentiment that the situation could have been far more severe. This perspective stems from a significant flood event in September 2022, when torrential rains led to extensive downtown flooding, prompting Georgia Governor Brian Kemp to issue a disaster declaration for the area.

Following the devastating 2022 flood, proactive measures were undertaken to address Summerville’s recurring drainage challenges. The Georgia Department of Transportation initiated a process to assess and improve the downtown area’s drainage systems. Additionally, crucial steps were taken to remove beaver dams that had previously obstructed Town Creek, contributing to excess water accumulation.

Despite these efforts, Thursday’s incident underscores the ongoing vulnerability of downtown Summerville to heavy rainfall. The persistent issue of flooding in the district is expected to remain a significant topic of discussion and concern for both local and state officials in the foreseeable future.