The deluge of rainfall that hit the state earlier today has washed out several roads in Putnam County, according to authorities. An alternate route has been created for residents of one of those roads, said Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills and Putnam County Manager Paul Van Haute.
Sills said the 100 block of East River Bend Drive is impassable.
“It’s not completely washed out, but if anyone drove on it, it would wash it out, so we’ve got it blocked to drivers,” he said, noting that he and Van Haute were on scene assessing the situation.
The residents who live past 124 East River Bend Drive are not blocked in or out, because of Long Shoals Road, he pointed out.
However, on the other side of Spivey Road, the 200 block of West River Bend Drive is completely washed away. Residents who live from 224 West River Bend Drive and on to its dead end, must now use Waters Edge Trail. Temporary access has been granted for West River Bend Drive residents to drive on Waters Edge Trail, which is in the gated community of Great Waters.
Rockville Springs Drive is also impassable. Sills said the road is in place, but just like East River Bend Drive, the culvert is damaged and the culvert pipe is partially washed away. The road past the 500 block remains closed until the water has cleared and road crews can inspect and replace the culvert.
"I instructed the radio dispatchers that if any medical calls come from those addresses, we will respond by boat," Sills said.
Piedmont Water workers are also on scene, capping off waterlines so residents along these roads can have their water service restored, according to the sheriff.