In DeKalb, heavy rain brought at least 19 sewer spills
Thursday's heavy rains caused at least 19 sewer spills in DeKalb County.
Only preliminary information was available Friday about the spills and their current status. Officials said the total spill volume was still being determined.
But it was another inglorious day for DeKalb, which is under a federal mandate to update its aging and often overwhelmed wastewater system. The county is in the third year of a 10-year plan to fix the system and has thus far dedicated more than $300 million to the cause.
Officials attributed the latest round of spills to “stormwater intrusion,” a phenomenon that occurs when rainwater enters the sewer system because of things like broken or damaged pipes, intrusive tree roots and other aging infrastructure.
More than four inches of rain fell in parts of DeKalb on Thursday.
“DeKalb County crews are cleaning and disinfecting spill locations which are marked by notification signs warning the public to avoid these areas,” the county said in a news release.
In addition to sewer issues, crews in DeKalb responded to about 20 downed trees and more than 30 flooded roads on Thursday, county spokesman Andrew Cauthen said.
All roads were open by Friday afternoon, but crews were still out removing debris from the sides of roads, Cauthen said.
In Dunwoody, a tree fell on a vehicle during the morning rush. Dash camera video shared by police showed motorists swerve to avoid the falling tree on I-285 East near Ashford Dunwoody Road.
Initial reports were provided for sewer spills at the following DeKalb County locations.
- 4000 Dunwoody Park, Dunwoody
- 1633 Council Bluff Drive, Atlanta
- 3037 Toney Drive, Decatur
- 2480 Miriam Lane, Deactur
- 307 2nd Ave., Decatur
- 1416 Cobb Branch Drive, Decatur
- 3401 Tulip Drive, Decatur
- 2711 Fairlee Drive, Decatur
- 3548 Brookfield Lane, Decatur
- 3911 Roman Court, Tucker
- 608 South McDonough St., Decatur
- 2060 Kehely Drive, Decatur
- 2089 Garden Circle, Decatur
- 1964 East Starmount Way, Decatur
- 1496 Country Squire Drive, Decatur
- 3433 Brookfield Lane, Decatur
- 2562 Tilly Mill Road, Doraville
About the Authors
Tyler Estep hosts the AJC Win Column, Atlanta's new weekly destination for all things sports. He also shepherds the Sports Daily and Braves Report newsletters to your inbox.
J.D. is a local news reporter covering intown Atlanta and Atlanta City Hall for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
