Created: 3/31/2009 5:42:10 AM 
ATLANTA (AP) -- Gov. Sonny Perdue has declared a state of emergency in six south Georgia counties damaged by heavy rain and severe weather over the weekend. Perdue signed an executive order Monday affecting Baker, Colquitt, Miller, Tift, Turner and Worth counties, where response to flooding exceeds local capabilities. The governor says almost nine inches of rain resulted "in extreme flooding that caused the evacuation of homes, numerous road closures, downed trees and power lines." Officials say nine bridges and more than 800 miles of roads were damaged, along with almost 100 homes. The Tift County 911 Center was struck twice by lightning, and 50 residents were housed overnight by the Red Cross.
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