ATLANTA, Georgia (AFP) –
Floods unleashed by torrential rains in the southeastern United States resulted in the deaths of at least four people, including a two-year-old boy swept away by high waters, authorities said.

Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue issued a state of emergency in 17 counties after nearly two feet (600 millimeters) of rain fell in the Atlanta area Sunday and Monday, causing flash floods and inundations.

"We are currently focused on rescuing victims of the storms targeting Georgia and preventing further damage," Perdue said. "State personnel and equipment are being deployed to assist effected communities."

In Douglas County, Georgia, west of Atlanta, a two-year-old boy was swept away from his parents as a creek roared over its the banks and through the family's mobile home.

The woman, her husband and their one-year-old were pulled to safety by rescue personnel, officials said.

A woman was killed in Gwinnett County, northeast of Atlanta, when she drove into water only to be carried away off to the side of the road where she drowned, they said.

"Remember, flash floods are the No. 1 weather-related killer in the United States," said Charley English, director of Georgia's Emergency Management Agency. "Turn around when you come to a flooded area; never drive through flooded roads."

In Chattanooga, Tennessee, 115 miles (185 kilometers) north of Atlanta one person was pulled under by rushing water and was presumed drowned, according to officials there.

Flash flood alerts were given in Central Alabama where flooding has been so intense officials feared they would run out of barricades to block impassable roads.