News Summary
On Monday afternoon, Metro Atlanta and North Georgia faced severe thunderstorms leading to multiple Tornado Warnings and significant damage. The storm prompted a ground stop at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and resulted in destructive winds and power outages for nearly 8,000 customers. As officials assess the damage, communities are coming together to respond to the widespread impacts caused by this extreme weather.
Severe Thunderstorms Cause Tornado Warnings and Damage Across Metro Atlanta and North Georgia
Metro Atlanta and the surrounding areas of North Georgia were hit hard on Monday afternoon as a line of storms rolled through, prompting two Tornado Warnings and a multitude of Severe Thunderstorm Warnings. The weather impact was severe enough to issue alerts predicting heavy rains, damaging winds, and potential tornado activity.
A Stormy Afternoon
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch was in effect for nearly all of metro Atlanta and North Georgia. At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, a ground stop was implemented from 11:30 a.m. until 3:15 p.m. as the storm approached.
Tornado Warnings and Impacts
The Tornado Warnings initially affected Coweta and Fayette counties before 1 p.m. Later, Henry, Rockdale, and Newton counties were also placed under warning until approximately 1:30 p.m. The Storm Prediction Center assessed much of Georgia, including Atlanta, and categorized it as a level 3 risk for severe storms.
Weather Conditions
Numerous areas experienced winds reaching 60 mph and hailstones as large as 1 inch in diameter. Significant thunderstorm impacts were reported in counties like Carroll and Coweta, where fallen trees and downed power lines caused considerable disruptions.
Tornado Touchdowns
An EF-1 tornado was confirmed to have touched down in Henry County, showcasing winds that peaked at 90 mph. In Carroll County, reports of destruction included trees crashing onto homes and roofs being crushed, though fortunately, no injuries were reported in the immediate aftermath.
Power Outages
As the storm continued its assault, over 7,900 customers in Georgia found themselves without power. Reports of sporadic outages came from Fayette and Coweta counties, with several roads closed due to downed trees and power lines.
Continued Evaluation
The National Weather Service remained active in assessing potential damage, particularly to determine if another tornado had struck Coweta County. The storms cleared through Atlanta between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., but a second round of severe weather was anticipated later in the evening.
Community Response
Residents across the region took to social media, sharing numerous photos depicting the devastation and downed trees in their neighborhoods. The community remained vigilant as emergency management officials worked tirelessly to restore services and ensure safety in the wake of these extreme weather events.
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Additional Resources
- 11Alive News
- Fox 5 Atlanta
- Atlanta News First
- Atlanta Journal-Constitution
- WSB Radio
- Wikipedia: Severe Weather
- Google Search: Severe Weather Georgia 2023
- Google Scholar: Severe Thunderstorms
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Storm
- Google News: Atlanta Storm News
