CHARLTON COUNTY, Ga. -- Orange cones line Georgia 40 in Charlton county but it's not for construction. Flood water from the nearby St. Marys River has devoured all four lanes, nearly a foot deep on some portions of the road. The typically dry and dirt-filled ditch next to the highway now looks more like a river. The heavily traveled highway is now closed near the Charlton-Camden county line.
"It was the best interest to shut Highway 40 down at the 4 mile post marker in Charlton county," said Camden County Assistant Fire Chief, Robbie King.
That's causing quite the disruption for drivers in their daily commutes. Georgia 40 is considered the main artery between Kingsland and Folkston. Now, the detour adds 45 minutes to an hour of drive time between the two towns. There are detours marked along the way.
Emergency officials say it'll stay closed until the water recedes. But that's not likely to happen anytime soon. The St. Marys River has been rising at a rate of one inch every hour in the area. It swallowed streets and flooded homes in nearby Browntown. Residents there have been told to evacuate. If homeowners here do decide to pack up and go, they'll have a longer drive when leaving town.
