News Summary
Atlanta experienced severe thunderstorms on Friday afternoon, resulting in flash flood warnings for Fulton, Clayton, and DeKalb counties. Rainfall of 2 to 4 inches, with an additional 1 to 2 inches expected, has led to life-threatening conditions and significant disruptions across the region. Travel obstacles have arisen with flooding reported on I-75 and ground stops initiated at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. Power outages have affected over 40,000 residents. Authorities stress the importance of safety during this severe weather pattern, advising the public to avoid flooded roads.
Atlanta faced severe thunderstorms on Friday afternoon, leading to flash flood warnings across portions of Fulton, Clayton, and DeKalb counties. The National Weather Service issued alerts until 11:30 p.m., warning residents of potential life-threatening conditions as storms developed into the evening with damaging winds and hail. Severe weather patterns in North Georgia have contributed to a troubled forecast, with additional rainfall expected.
Rainfall in the impacted areas reached 2 to 4 inches within the last one to two hours, with forecasts predicting an added one to two inches. The First Alert Weather Team cautioned that the abundance of impermeable surfaces, such as roads and parking lots, could exacerbate existing flooding conditions.
These severe thunderstorms triggered multiple warnings across various counties throughout the evening, with alerts active for DeKalb, Henry, and Rockdale until 9:15 p.m., and Cherokee, Forsyth, Fulton, and Hall until 10 p.m. Warnings were also issued for Bartow, Cobb, and Paulding counties, lasting until 10:45 p.m., and for Clayton and Fayette counties until 8:15 p.m.
Significant disruptions were reported across the region due to the ongoing storms. Footage captured by viewers showed substantial flooding on I-75 around 10:47 p.m., which affected multiple lanes, especially near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. In response to deteriorating weather conditions, the airport initiated ground stops due to severe weather, initially effective until 5 p.m. before being extended to 11 p.m.
As of 9:07 p.m., more than 33,000 Georgia Power customers and over 8,000 Georgia EMC customers experienced outages as strong winds gusting to 50 mph swept through the area, with reports of penny-sized hail in places such as Hapeville and Cherokee County.
Amid the chaos, evacuation procedures were implemented at EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, and a resident required assistance after becoming trapped in a vehicle surrounded by floodwaters in southwest Atlanta. Authorities cautioned the public against crossing flooded roads, emphasizing the safety message to “Turn around, don’t drown.”
The Braves vs. Phillies game at Truist Park faced a 45-minute delay due to a drenched field, further illustrating the impact of the storms on local recreational activities. Flash flood warnings and severe thunderstorm advisories resulted in significant disruptions, including road closures caused by fallen trees and power lines.
Forecasters predict continued unsettled weather over the weekend, with scattered thunderstorms expected daily. Although the upcoming July 4th holiday weekend is anticipated to be mostly dry and hot, meteorologists are warning of chances for thunderstorms returning midweek, as a frontal system approaches the area.
As the storms continue to affect daily life in Atlanta, residents are encouraged to stay updated on weather conditions and heed warnings as officials work to manage the impact of the severe weather.
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Additional Resources
- Fox 5 Atlanta: Flash Flood Warnings
- Wikipedia: Flash Flood
- Atlanta News First: Ground Stop Issued
- Google Search: Severe Thunderstorm Alert Atlanta
- WSB TV: More Storms Developing
- Google Scholar: Georgia Severe Weather
- Fox 5 Atlanta: Storm Alert Day
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Thunderstorm
- AJC: Atlanta Temps to Soar
- Google News: Atlanta Weather Updates
