DESCRIPTION: 090922 - Vinings - Joe Rich moved to 3935 Paces Manor 2.5 year ago. Tuesday he was trapped at his house with no way out - but a boat. He has been ferrying various things back and forth and is surprised he still has power. Vinings residents were dealing with a major flooding issue Tuesday, September 22, 2009 as the Chattahoochee River made its way along the banks near Paces Ferry Road. Many residents with upscale homes were hit hard, some for the second time since an earlier post millennia flooding episode. Since early Monday, seven lives have been taken and several other people remain missing. The record-setting rains also have closed schools and roads and have left people stranded in their homes. The river's level near Vinings was at 27.36 feet before daybreak Tuesday after cresting at 28.1 feet overnight. Flood stage is 14 feet, and anything above 20 feet is considered "major" flooding. The river was expected to slowly recede, falling below flood stage on Wednesday. The level overnight was the second highest on record, exceeded only by a crest of 29 feet in 1919. John Spink, jspink@ajc.com

CREDITS: John Spink