Heavy rains and strong winds overnight closed many area schools and roads.

Hamilton County, Marion County, Meigs County, McMinn County and Rhea County are among the schools closed. Also closed are the Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy, Belvoir Christian Academy and the Ooltewah 7th Day Adventist School. Chattooga County, Ga., schools were open with a two-hour delay.

Hamilton County Schools are closed "due to flooded road conditions and storm debris around the county," Danielle Clark, spokesperson, said.

A washout halfway up the main road up Signal Mountain and mudslide problems on the W Road left Roberts Mill Road as the only way off Signal Mountain this morning.

South Chickamauga Creek was expected to crest just below flood stage later today.

Amy Maxwell of County Emergency Services said at 4:44 a.m., "Emergency Service personnel worked through the night with numerous calls of minor flash flooding, trees down on roadways, mud slides and flooded roads throughout Hamilton County.

"Several reports came into the 911 center reporting mud slides on the W Road, and 1000 Signal Mountain Road/Suck Creek Road, minor flash flooding in the 7600 block of Middle Valley Road/Chen Lane.

"Hamilton County Emergency Management notified the American Red Cross for assistance and opened an emergency shelter at Middle Valley Church of God. Nineteen people residing on Chen Lane (Middle Valley) went to the temporary shelter until it is safe to return to their homes. Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department reported Winsor Road off of Midddle Valley Road had water 'waist deep'.

"Hamilton County Emergency Management wants to request the citizens of Hamilton County to take precautions if they have to get on the roads this morning. There is a lot of water and debris still covering the roads."

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office was reporting the following road hazards and closures at 5 a.m.:

W Road is partially closed due to mud slides.

Signal Mountain Road is closed to traffic traveling up or down the mountain due to trees down and mud slides.

Roberts Mill Road is closed at Levi due to water on the road.

Suck Creek Road is closed at Signal Mountain Road due to water over the road and mud slides on the Marion County side.

The Dallas Bay Fire Department evacuated several families living on Chen road due to flooding and they have been transported to the Middle Valley Church of God for shelter.

There are reports of trees down in the following areas: Signal Mountain, Sale Creek and MontLake.

As of 6:30 a.m., officials said the only route open off Signal Mountain was Roberts Mill Road.

The rain has passed through the area, but high winds with gusts up to 40 mph are expected today.

Temperatures were to continue dropping, going down to 24 degrees with a wind chill factor of 19 degrees.

A performance of The Nutcracker at the Tivoli Theatre at 10 a.m. was canceled.

The Christmas at the Courthouse program scheduled for Wednesday at noon was canceled due to the cancellation of school and the inclement weather. The elected officials who were being honored today will now be recognized at Thursday's program.