The Savannah River is rising. And with potential flooding possible, both city and county officials are taking steps to ensure those who are out-and-about this weekend can enjoy themselves safely.
As a precaution the city of Savannah closed River Street parking lots at 5 p.m. on Friday. Shawn Emerson, a coordinator for Savannah Parking and Mobility Services, said she expects the lots will remain closed until sometime on Monday.
A statement released by the city indicated that “while emergency crews do not expect businesses to be impacted, River Street could experience flooding in the low-lying parking lots, as well as flood water coming onto some low-lying portions of the plaza, with the potential increasing during high tides on Sunday and Monday.”
Heavier than normal rains in the upper basin of the Savannah River have caused The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to relieve the water levels of three different lakes north of Augusta, increasing the river’s water level. The national weather service’s prediction of scattered showers and thunderstorms for the Savannah area throughout Saturday combined with a full-moon high tide could also potentially add to the mix.
The islands are also on alert.
Anson Calmes, an emergency specialist for Chatham Emergency Management Agency, said the county remains on standby in the event flooding overtakes U.S. 80.
He said if access to Tybee Island becomes impeded, metro police, in cooperation with the city of Tybee, will close the road.
He also said that, if needed, ambulances will be dispatched to Tybee Island to assist with any potential medical emergencies and that medical air-transportation will also be alerted if the road becomes impassible for emergency vehicles.