Flash flood warnings issued, watches expanded as storm hits North Georgia and metro Atlanta
A serious storm is bringing heavy rain and flooding to North Georgia and metro Atlanta as it makes its way across the Peach State.
The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for parts of Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties until 9:45 p.m.
Officials say between 1 and 2 inches of rain have already fallen in the area, and additional rainfall of up to 2 inches is possible as the day goes on.
A second Flash Flood Warning is in place for parts of Barow and Floyd counties until 11:15 p.m. The third is in place for Douglas, Carroll, Haralson, and Paulding counties until 10:30 p.m.
Flood Warnings have been issued for the area of Big Creek near Cumming and Alpharetta, Level Creek at Suwanee Dam Road, Suwanee Creek, and Dick Creek at Old Atlanta Road near Suwanee until further notice.
Flood Watches remain in place for parts of Banks, Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clarke, Cobb, Dade, Dawson, DeKalb, Douglas, Fannin, Floyd, Forsyth, Gilmer, Gordon, Gwinnett, Hall, Haralson, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison, Murray, North Fulton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Pickens, Paulding, Polk, Rabun, Rockdale, South Fulton, Towns, Union, Walker, Walton, White and Whitfield counties. The watches are expected to continue through the evening.
CBS News Atlanta's meteorologist Jonathan Myers said the highest impact of the storm will be in communities along and north of Interstate 20, including metro Atlanta.
Drivers should not attempt to go through roadways that appear flooded and instead should look for alternate routes.
Ground delay at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport
A ground stop may be over at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport because of the storms, but delays still remain.
According to the Federal Avidation Administration, departures from the Atlanta airport are seeing delays of an average of 30 minutes. Arrivals have been delayed more than an hour on average.
The ground stop is in effect from 1:47 p.m. to 4 p.m., temporarily halting departures to Atlanta from several air traffic control centers across the Southeast and Midwest. The FAA said there is a medium chance the ground stop could be extended as storms continue to move through the area.
While the heavy rain could lead to dangerous conditions, it also could help bring relief to portions of north and northeast Georgia that remain in moderate to severe drought.
More storms are expected throughout the weekend, but they are likely to be more scattered. As we head into next week, things will eventually go back to normal, with lots of heat and possible thunderstorms popping up in the morning or afternoon.
