By 7 p.m. tonight, 2.34 inches of rain had been recorded at Richard B. Russell Regional Airport as the remnants of what is now Tropical Depression Ida dumped rain on the southeast.

Ida sloshed ashore with rain and gusty winds before losing its tropical storm strength Tuesday, leaving weather-hardened Gulf Coast residents largely unscathed.

Rain is expected in Rome throughout tonight, according to the National Weather Service. There is a 30 percent chance of precipitation Wednesday.

A flash flood warning has been issued for Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade and Walker counties through 3:30 a.m. Wednesday.



A flash flood watch for Floyd, Polk, Gordon and Bartow counties is in effect through Wednesday morning.

Local rivers have not risen much yet, but the Oostanaula at Turner McCall Boulevard is expected to rise from about 8 feet this morning to about 13 feet early Friday. The Oostanaula just north of Rome was measured at 9.29 feet this afternoon. The Etowah at the loop was at 14.67 feet this afternoon.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said Ida’s center first touched land as a tropical storm on Dauphin Island before heading across Mobile Bay for the Alabama mainland. Top sustained winds dropped to near 35 mph and it became a tropical depression. Ida was moving northeast about 9 mph and expected to turn eastward to follow the Florida Panhandle.

Floyd County EMA Director Scotty Hancock said this afternoon there were no problems but they're keeping in contact with outlying agencies in order to keep abreast of the situation. However, he said there may be some concern later this evening if the rain continues.

"One of our main concerns is the wind gusts that can pick up and with ground saturation may down trees," he said.

A wind advisory also has been issued for the area and is in effect until 7 p.m. Wednesday. Winds here are expected to be 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

Georgia climatologist David Stooksbury says most of the northern half of the state is vulnerable to flash flooding because of already swollen streams and saturated soil. He said the ground’s moisture level is in the 99th percentile, which means it would be drier in 99 of the last 100 years.

As far as preparing for the worst, Hancock said, “We’re notifying other agencies to be on standby. We’re not anticipating any significant damage, but you never know.”

Here is the complete forecast:

Tonight: Rain, mainly before 1am. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 55. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Veterans Day: A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly before 7am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. North wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. North wind between 5 and 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. North wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 69.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 71.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.

Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a high near 68.

Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.