Flood Watch Issued for Ogeechee River as Savannah Braces for Rising Waters

Flood Watch for the Ogeechee River in Savannah, GA

Hey there, Savannah! It looks like we’re in for a bit of a **wet** weekend as the Ogeechee River is expected to rise significantly over the next few days. As of Thursday, October 3rd, water levels were hovering around 4.89 feet, but we are bracing for a hefty rise of almost ten feet by the time we reach Monday. The river is forecast to crest at about 14.6 feet from Sunday night into Tuesday morning. That’s quite the jump!

What This Means for the Community

So what does all this mean for our lovely community? The Southeast River Forecast Center has reassured us that while the levels are going up, we should not expect a repeat of the shocking floods that followed Tropical Storm Debby. Back then, we faced some monumental challenges as parts of the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry dealt with widespread rainfall totals of anywhere from 8 to 15 inches. Those floodwaters inundated neighborhoods left and right, resulting in what some called a top three historic flooding event.

In fact, the Ogeechee River hasn’t seen levels above 17 feet since 1998, when the levels crested at nearly 18 feet and several neighborhoods in Chatham and Bryan Counties were heavily affected. For context, the gauges at Ellabell and Richmond Hill dated back then showed 17.15 feet and 10.19 feet, respectively. But take a sigh of relief—this time, projections indicate that the Ogeechee at Eden will crest below major flood stage, which sits at 16 feet.

What to Expect This Weekend

As we head into the weekend, the river will remain elevated and at a Moderate Flood Stage near Eden, particularly on Sunday. The water levels might also rise close to some areas near Ellabell and Richmond Hill. Residents here are keeping a close watch as anticipated river levels reach between 7-7.5 feet, which is three feet lower than what we saw in early August.

What’s Different This Time?

One notable difference from past events is the projected flow rate. Last time, during Debby, the flow rate was an astonishing 36,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). For the upcoming crest on October 6th or 7th, the expected flow is going to be about half of that, around 2500 cfs. This means that while we will see rising water, the current won’t be as strong, providing a bit of peace of mind.

A significant player in previous flooding events was indeed the nearby Canoochee River, which rose to a staggering 18 feet. Luckily, for this situation, it’s predicted to crest at just 10 feet, well below flood stage, so our friends in Richmond Hill are hoping that this makes a huge difference in mitigating potential flooding.

Staying Informed and Prepared

Officials aren’t leaving anything to chance. Engineers from Bryan County are keeping an eye on the Ogeechee’s status, ensuring that all necessary precautions are in place. Community members are encouraged to stay informed and prepared, just in case this weather decides to throw any surprises our way.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed for clear skies and minimal flooding as we navigate through this weekend! Stay safe out there, Savannah!