So, how wet does it have to be for organizers to postpone an event where dozens of people jump into a lake?
Take a look outside.
Excessive flooding from rains has forced the cancellation or postponement of two big events, including the popular 19th Annual Polar Bear Plunge at Lake Lanier.
The event has been held on New Year’s Day (sometimes New Year’s Eve) at Clarks Bridge Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Road in Gainesville.
A new date will be set later.
Participants take the plunge into the frigid waters of Lake Lanier either individually or in a group. The event raises funds for the programs of Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club.
Organizers decided to postpone the Polar Bear Plunge because of safety and access concerns. Flooding in the area does not allow easy access to the boat docks and the area behind the boathouse is flooded.
That’s not the only event that is all wet.
The annual Lawrenceville RINGS - New Year’s Eve Celebration and related fireworks activities has been cancelled.
The event was initially scheduled for Thursday on the Lawrenceville Lawn, an eight acre green space downtown, but heavy rains Wednesday and some expected on Thursday morning, make for a pretty soggy park.
Officials say the already saturated park would not have had adequate time to dry out before the celebration was scheduled to begin.
“The good news is that it looks like all this rainy weather will come to an end,” said Keith Stellman, meteorologist-in-charge at the National Weather Service in Peachtree City. He said there is a good chance of rain Thursday morning that will lessen considerably as the day goes on.
If you’re planning events outside, though, there’s no chance that the ground will dry out and whatever water is standing will probably still be present. It will also be cool and cloudy.
Still, many New Year’s Eve activities will continue as scheduled. It’s best to check ahead before you go.
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