Peachtree City, United States - September 27, 2024

On September 27th, the Peachtree City Police Department shared dramatic footage of the community's proactive defense against potential flooding from former Hurricane Helene. The video, capturing the controlled release of water from the Lake Peachtree dam, illustrates the city's effort to mitigate the risks posed by the storm's powerful remnants.

As Hurricane Helene, now downgraded to a tropical storm, swept through Georgia, it brought with it the threat of severe flooding due to its heavy rainfall and sustained winds gusting over 50 mph from higher elevations. Authorities in Fayette County, recognizing the potential for disaster, took decisive action by initiating a water release from Lake Peachtree.

The footage, which has since been circulated widely across social media, shows a significant volume of water cascading through the dam's spillways. This controlled release was a strategic move to lower the lake level, thereby reducing the risk of the dam failing under the pressure of excess water, which could have led to catastrophic flooding across parts of Fayette County.