HELEN, Ga. -- After several hours of flooding overnight, officials in a Georgia town known for its Bavarian history say waters are starting to calm. But they also fear what could happen if waters begin rising once more.
Helen city manager Jerry Elkins said the waters of the Chattahoochee River are only inches away from rising out of the banks as the town deals with what 4 to 5 hours of flooding have already brought their way.
PHOTOS: Chattahoochee rises in and around Helen
Elkins said the intersection of Brucken Strasse and Edelweiss Stress was blocked overnight and rising waters overtook the city's new Veteran's Park. At least one car was damaged and light flooding was also reported in the popular Troll Tavern which sits right along the river.
Water has also caused flooding of Cool River Tubing which typically offers floating trips down the river. However, they have also closed due to the flooding and won't open again for at least two days.
Elkins also stressed that no one tries to take to the river on their own - whether tubing or swimming - until the dangerous flood currents have subsided.
Even with the river returning into its banks in town, residents and 11Alive viewers have reported - and recorded - the rapids flowing violently downstream.
Debbie Pippen shared video of white-water conditions near the Nora Mill Granary. 11Alive's Chris Holcomb said that more rain and runoff will keep draining into the river in the coming hours.
