Strong Storms Move Out of Metro Atlanta, Leave Damage and Delays Behind
ATLANTA, GA — Strong thunderstorms rolled through metro Atlanta and north Georgia Thursday evening, leaving behind damaged homes, downed trees, and airport delays. While the worst of the storm system has passed, local emergency crews are still responding to flooding, lightning strikes, and road obstructions.
Powerful Storms Spark Fires and Disrupt Travel
Several counties saw significant impacts as storms passed through:
- Jackson County Emergency Management reported multiple trees down, prompting road closures and cleanup efforts.
- In Braselton, a structure on Michigan Circle was hit by lightning, according to the West Jackson Fire Department.
- Two separate homes in Jackson County caught fire after lightning strikes, with firefighters responding to Washington Parkway in Jefferson and Michigan Circle in Braselton.
“Heavy rain, thunder, and lightning are currently moving through the county,” said Emergency Manager Bryan Bullock during the response.
Flight Disruptions at Hartsfield-Jackson
At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the severe weather triggered significant flight delays and a temporary ground stop:
- 6:35 p.m. – Departures to the airport were grounded due to thunderstorms
- The ground stop lasted until at least 8:00 p.m., with officials warning of a 30–60% chance of further extensions
- By 7:00 p.m., departures were delayed an average of two hours
Storm System Moves Out, Cleanup Underway
As of 11:05 p.m., the storm system had largely moved out of the metro Atlanta area. However, clean-up efforts are still underway, particularly in neighborhoods impacted by falling trees and lightning-related fires.
Weather Safety Tips and Alerts
The 11Alive Weather Impact Team continues to urge residents to stay alert for residual weather threats and practice safety:
- Avoid downed power lines and blocked roadways
- Report local damage using local emergency hotlines or the 11Alive app
- Enable severe weather alerts to receive updates in real time
You can share weather photos or video footage of the storm damage by texting 404-885-7600 or joining the StormTracker11 Facebook Group to connect with over 11,000 weather enthusiasts across Georgia.
Were you affected by last night’s storms in Georgia? Share your photos and stories with the US Weather Desk at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
