Nine dead in Georgia, Tennessee floods

Officials said the body of the ninth victim of the floods, a Georgia woman who was swept away from her car during torrential rains, had been found late on Tuesday.

A tenth suspected victim - a Tennessee man who jumped into the floodwaters - is still missing, police say.

Georgia officials have warned worried residents to wait for the floodwaters to recede before checking on their damaged homes.

"We are currently focused on rescuing victims of the storms targeting Georgia and preventing further damage," Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue said.

Torrential rains swelling rivers, creeks

"State personnel and equipment are being deployed to assist effected communities."

Torrential rains have soaked the region for days, knocking motorists from cars and splitting at least one mobile home.

Washed-out roads and flooded freeways around metro Atlanta caused commuters headaches and hundreds of residents sought refuge in shelters.

About 120 residents of a Tennessee retirement centre were evacuated by boats and trucks and others were ferried from low-lying neighbourhoods and motels in a Chattanooga suburb as two nearby creeks continued to rise.

Georgia emergency officials said they were confident those in immediate danger had been evacuated, but were concerned about residents attempting to return to their homes too soon.