A line of strong storms slowly progressed through Georgia on Sunday with risk of damaging winds, flash flooding and a brief tornado threat.
Storms entered the northwest part of Georgia by midmorning and will advance throughout the region before exiting Monday afternoon. Over 7,000 Georgia Power customers were without power by approximately 7 p.m., including about 1,300 in metro Atlanta.
The National Weather Service cited a growing concern for flooding given the slow-moving nature of the system.
A flood watch is in effect for North and central Georgia through Monday evening. Rainfall is expected to be between 2 to 4 inches, with possible flash flooding in isolated areas of up to 5 inches where repeated rounds of heavy rainfall with occur. A flood warning is in effect for Lookout Creek near New England until Sunday night, and Big Creek near Alpharetta from Monday morning to Wednesday morning.
“Waves of rain and embedded thunderstorms will continue to stream across much of the area tonight and into the day Monday,” NWS said Sunday night. “Additional rainfall on top of the heavy rainfall that has already occurred could lead to flash flooding and flooding concerns.”
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
A tornado watch was in effect for parts of west and central Georgia until 9 p.m. Sunday with possible scattered wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour. At 4:13 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Baughville in Talbot County, about 25 miles northeast of Columbus, according to NWS.
“Tornadoes can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms,” NWS said. “If you spot a tornado, go at once into the basement or small central room in a sturdy structure.”
Gov. Brian Kemp said the state is coordinating closely with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency and other state agencies to ensure the region is prepared for the storms.
“As we monitor this incoming storm front, I’m urging Georgians to stay tuned to trusted news sources and take proper precautions now to prepare,” he said.
All departures to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport were temporarily grounded Sunday afternoon, with departures from the airport delayed an average of 45 minutes, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The Atlanta Braves game against the Miami Marlins, originally scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at Truist Park, was also postponed due to the inclement weather and rescheduled for 1:15 p.m. Aug. 9.
North and central Georgia were under a Level 2 out of 5 risk for severe weather Sunday. The risk for damaging winds, heavy rainfall and flash flooding was “slight” at a Level 2 out of 5. The risk for tornadoes was “marginal” at a Level 1 out of 5, but the NWS said it could not rule out the possibility of brief, isolated tornadoes.
This line of storms comes just a week after Atlanta saw a heavy downpour that helped wash away record-breaking levels of pollen.
» For a detailed forecast, visit www.ajc.com/weather.
» For updated traffic information, listen to News 95.5 and AM 750 WSB and follow @WSBTraffic on X.
» Download The Atlanta Journal-Constitution app for weather alerts on-the-go.
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