Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Decatur County is one of the 120 counties included on Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s state of emergency due to the ongoing flooding of the Flint River.

The National Weather Service has also issued a Flood Warning in Bainbridge until further notice. Due to the flood projections, the Chamber of Commerce, located at the Earle May Boat Basin, has temporarily relocated their business operations to City Hall and also announced a new location for the annual River Town Days Festival.

The Chamber of Commerce will work from City Hall throughout next week during normal business hours. Current plans are to return to the regular Chamber building offices on Tuesday, March 17. The Chamber is requesting to be contacted by email until they are back in their permanent location.

Although their office is being housed elsewhere, River Town Days will continue on March 14 and 15, however it will now be hosted at the Bill Reynolds Sports Complex.

Chamber President Lauren Minor said the committee met Friday morning and are working to map out the exact location of the marketplace and other activities. Minor will be updating the website and all other social media sites with more information as it becomes available.

As of Friday morning, the Flint River stage was at 23.89 feet, just over a foot away from the 25-foot flood stage. It is expected the Flint River will rise above the flood stage early Saturday morning and continue rising to near 32.5 feet Monday morning.

Some roads will become impassable when water reaches 28-29 feet. The Decatur County Emergency Management Agency urges residents to pay close attention to rising water levels. If water covers the road, the road will be closed and an alternate means to get to your residence will be necessary if you decide to stay. If the road is cut off, emergency vehicles will not be able to get to your residence in an emergency.

To check river readings, go to www.weather.gov/tae. Above the map, click on the “Rivers and Lakes” tab. When you find Decatur County, click on the dot over the Flint River at Bainbridge. You will see the graphic for current levels and the forecast. We also update river readings on our Facebook page for Decatur County EMA-Bainbridge, Ga.

Sandbags are available on Butler Ferry Road at the Decatur County Correctional Institute.

Decatur County Emergency Management is monitoring flooding conditions. If you have any questions regarding flood preparedness, please contact Decatur County Emergency Management at (229) 248-3869.