More People Evacuated In Chickamauga

     The Tennessee Valley copes with widespread flooding.
     Georgia is hit the hardest.
     Governor Sonny Perdue declared a state of emergency in 17 counties affected by heavy rains and flooding.
     Locally, Catoosa, Chattooga, and Walker Counties were on that list.
     Walker County Emergency Services dispatched 3 task forces, two spent the day in Chickamauga Monday evacuating people.
     WDEF News 12's Mandy Odom has more in our top local story.
     Donnie Orr says, "We never thought it would get this high again." 
     Twin brothers Ronnie and Donnie Orr have lived in the same house all their lives.
     Part of Lee Street in Chickamauga is known to have flooding problems when the Chickamauga creek overflows.
     A few years ago the government raised several houses in the area, but now they are back in the same position.
     Rescue workers convinced many people to leave their homes.
     Orr says, "The second time convinced us, because I won't want to wake up at 3 o'clock in the morning swimming out." 
     Several dogs were evacuated too.
     Ruth Melcher says, "I had to save them from the outbuilding, because the water was going in the doggy door. So, I put them on the back porch thinking they'd be safe there, but about an hour later the back porch was under about 8 inches, and I guess it's under a foot now." 
     Most people evacuated, but a few decided to stay.
     Chief Robert Stephenson with Walker County Emergency Services says that's not wise.
     He says, "With the rising conditions and the darkness coming soon, I think that we could have some further issues tonight." 
     County officials set up the Civic Center as a shelter for displaced residents, getting help from the Red Cross.
     Meanwhile, others are staying with family, but they still worry about their houses and neighbors.
     Orr says, "We're just hoping for the best. That it don't go no further than what it is." 
     Ruth Melcher say, "I am concerned more like I said about the neighbor's than mine." Stanton Melcher says, "Personal stuff that's in there that's really got me upset." Ruth says,  "But that's just material stuff, and as long as everybody got out, you know that's the main thing." 
     Chief Stephenson says as long as your house is not in a flood area to stay at home.
     In Chickamauga, Mandy Odom WDEF News 12.
     Safety officials closed part of 27 at the bridge over Chickamauga creek as of 8:30 Monday night, and only 2 roads out of the city remained open.