By Brandon Wilson

bwilson@mdjonline.com

MARIETTA- More potentially problematic rains began hitting the already saturated county Friday night and are expected to continue throughout today.

A flash flood watch was posted Friday and is in effect until late tonight.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service expect one to two inches of rain to fall in Cobb as a system moves in from the West.

"But we can't rule out the possibility of three or more inches falling in isolated spots, and depending on where, there are concerns of flash flooding again," NWS meteorologist Frank Taylor said. "...We are being very cautious. It could cause more problems in creeks and rivers. We are keeping our antennas up and watching it closely."

According to the weather service, the heaviest rain is expected today, with the chance of precipitation at 90 percent, dropping to 40 percent at night.

How quickly the rain falls will determine the impact to already soaked areas, Taylor said.

"It could cause the (river and creek) banks to get back out of bankfull, and that's our concern," he said.

However, Austell Mayor Joe Jerkins said Sweetwater Creek has receded back into its bed and can handle a few more inches of rain before it becomes too alarming.

"Just about everything is back down," he said. "We can handle three to four inches without it really hurting us. We definitely don't want more than five inches, though, at the most."

The rains are expected to stop Sunday.

"Sunday should be a nice day - a fall preview into next week," Taylor said.