Creeks are on the verge of flooding and more than one-third of DeKalb is without power as Tropical Storm Irma hits the county with heavy winds and rain.
Flooding could soon swamp backyards in Druid Hills and near Buford Highway, according to county officials.
South Fork Peachtree Creek and North Fork Peachtree Creek are expected to overflow between two and three feet of water, reaching the foundations and patios of many residents, said DeKalb spokesman Quinn Hudson.
Meanwhile, the number of people losing power in DeKalb is rapidly increasing.
There were 115,917 power outages of 318,000 Georgia Power customers in the county as of 5 p.m., Hudson said.
The outages reached across the county and were especially concentrated in Lithonia, Stone Mountain, Decatur and Druid Hills and Gresham Park.
At one site near Emory University, a wind burst reached 59 mph.
The highest number of power failures may still be on the way, he said.
“The worst wind hasn't hit yet,” Hudson said. “People need to stay home and hunker down.”
The loss of power comes as Irma’s winds are knocking trees onto power lines.
Throughout the day, DeKalb emergency workers gathered many reports of downed trees and other problems created by the storm.
A tractor-trailer overturned near I-85 and Chamblee-Tucker Road, spilling fuel, Hudson said. Fire rescue and hazardous materials crews were responding.
A downed tree was reported at the intersection of Briarcliff Road and Emory Road on Monday morning. Georgia Power crews were also repairing a power line knocked over by a tree at Clifton Church Road and Oak Terrace Drive, according to county officials.
DeKalb County government offices and schools were closed Monday, with the exception of public safety and emergency response employees.
Return to AJC.com for updates.
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