The National Weather Service is predicting the Ogeechee River at Eden will rise to almost 13.3 feet by Sunday evening before beginning to recede slowly.

Thursday morning, the river stage at Eden was 12.6 feet, and flood stage is 9 feet. Moderate flooding is occurring, according to the NWS, and at 13.5 feet, several homes and a picnic area along Yarbrough Landing  Road will begin to flood.

Earlier this week, flooding from rains prompted the closure of Mount Hope Road between Bolan and Tusculum roads in the county.

The Chatham Emergency Management Agency said the Ogeechee is at 12.22 feet and will crest at 12.8 feet Sunday, which is considered a moderate flooding potential.

The Chatham County Aviation Unit flew over the Ogeechee River basin Thursday morning. This allowed CEMA to see any impacts to life safety issues, property and infrastructure damage downstream in Chatham County, according to CEMA public information officer Kelly Harley.

Homes along the banks of the Ogeechee River are limited and other than the commercial area near Kings Ferry that includes Love’s Seafood Restaurant, the only other significant area of population on the river is at the end of Fort Argyle Lane. Fort Argyle Lane runs southeast of Highway 204 near Bush Road and approximately half of Fort Argyle Lane from Highway 204 is submerged.

Most of the approximately 15 residential properties on the river were surrounded with water. Most if not all of these residential properties are built on pillions/stilts. The homeowners own 4x4 vehicles and are prepared to deal with this type of situation, according to CEMA.