The flooded roads, swollen rivers and plethora of warnings and advisories Friday told a story of intense rainfall for metro Atlanta.

And so did the raw numbers.

By noon, 2018 had become the second-wettest for Atlanta, going all the way back to the start of record-keeping in 1879. At that point, 69.46 inches of rain had fallen this year, according to Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan.

Next up? The record of 71.45 inches, set in 1948.

At the day’s outset, 2018 was No. 8 overall, and it quickly moved up the rankings.

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The latest target to fall was the total from 2009, when 69.43 inches fell, some in memorable — and deadly — fashion.

According to Channel 2, about 300 roads were flooded and closed when the bottom fell out Sept. 20, 2009. That included both lanes of I-20 west of Atlanta, I-575 at Ga. 92 and the Stone Mountain Freeway.

Ten people died, most of them while driving at night, Channel 2 reported.

As for the latest rainfall onslaught, more than 3 inches have been measured at the Atlanta airport since Thursday, according to Channel 2 meteorologist Brad Nitz.

“An additional 1-2" inches is possible today,” Nitz said.

— Please return to AJC.com for updates.

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Instructor Daniel Jean-Baptiste reminds students to "measure twice, cut once" while using a hand saw at the Construction Ready accelerated summer program at Westside Works in Atlanta on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. The program provides training for careers in construction and the skilled trades. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

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