Cobb County Outdoor Burning Ban Begins May 1

The annual outdoor burning ban goes into effect for Cobb County and much of north Georgia Friday, May 1.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources issues a ban on open burning through Sept. 30 of each year. Limiting open burning during the hot and sunny months of smog season helps decrease ozone and particle pollutants and improve the air quality and health in Cobb.

During the ban, no one may burn leaves, tree limbs or other yard waste, forest land or use air curtain destructors for commercial burning. Recreational fires and bonfires are allowed under certain circumstances and restrictions.

For more information, visit cobbcounty.org/Fire or call (770) 528-8310.

North Georgia Under Flood Watch

With heavy rains expected later today, a flood watch has been issued for much of north Georgia, including a portion of metro Atlanta.

Forecasts indicate that as much as four inches of rain could hit the area starting this evening.

Habersham, Rabun and Stephens Counties in Georgia are under a flash flood watch, as forecasters say up to five inches could fall there.

Georgia counties under the flood watch are Bartow County, Chattooga County, Cherokee County, Clay County, Cobb County, Dawson County, Fannin County, Floyd County, Forsyth County, Fulton County, Gilmer County, Gordon County, Haralson County, Lumpkin County, Paulding County, Pickens County, Polk County, Towns County, Union County and White County.