2009 wettest year on record in Columbus, seventh-wettest in Atlanta so far
Heavy weekend rains pushed Columbus' annual rainfall total into uncharted territory, making 2009 that city's wettest year on record as forecasters warn of additional heavy rain likely through Tuesday.
The west Georgia city has recorded 74.77 inches of rain so far this year, about 10 inches more than has fallen in Atlanta, the National Weather Service said.
The previous record for annual rainfall in Columbus was 73.22 inches, set in 1964. That record was shattered as 3 inches of rain fell over the weekend.
The Weather Service has posted a flood watch for the Columbus area, beginning at 4 p.m. Monday and running through Tuesday evening, as 1 to 2 inches of rain is forecast.
Atlanta's record for rainfall in a year is 71.18 inches, set in 1948, the Weather Service said.
So far this year, the city's official rain gauge at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport has registered 64.44 inches of rain. If no more rain fell, 2009 would come in as Atlanta's seventh-wettest year.
Atlanta's normal annual rainfall total is 50.20 inches, while in Columbus, 48.57 is normal.
Elsewhere in Georgia, the 56.39 inches of rain recorded so far in Macon would make 2009 that city's ninth-wettest year, but is well below the record of 67.80 inches, set in 1929.
In Athens, the record of 72.37 inches, also set in 1929, appears to be safe, as the city's total for 2009 of 56.27 inches is not in the top 10 in annual rainfall. Normal rainfall for Athens is 47.83 inches, the Weather Service said.
