Forsyth County- A flash flood warning has expired, but a flash flood watch will continue for most of north Georgia until at least 7:00 P.M. on Friday, according to the National Weather Service forecast office. The current forecast calls for a near one hundred percent chance of rain this evening, tapering off to around fifty percent overnight and around forty percent by Thursday. 

The weather service warns that most flood deaths happen in vehicles, so drivers should turn around when encountering flooded roads. Officials warn against passing by any barricades, even if the water seems to have subsided, since the road surface may have been damaged. 

Lake Lanier's rapidly rising water levels have already forced the closure of many parks and boats ramps.

In an article published Tuesday night, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hoped to start heavy releases of Lanier on Thursday to draw the lake down to its winter full pool of 1,070 feet, but only if the weather cooperated. 

“If it is raining within the basin and we increase releases, more folks will be flooded downstream,” Corps Spokeswoman Lisa Parker said.