A series of severe weather disruptions wreaked havoc on the Atlanta area Tuesday morning, as heavy rain and strong winds led to widespread traffic issues, including crashes, flooding, and school closures.
The deluge inundated roads and brought traffic to a standstill in many parts of the metro, with authorities urging drivers to exercise caution and avoid certain areas. Flooding was particularly severe in Paulding County, leading the Sheriff's Office to advise against travel on the swamped Honeysuckle Lane, according to FOX 5 Atlanta. Numerous vehicles were incapacitated on the local interstates, with lanes blocked on I-85 southbound just past North Druid Hills Road, and SR-260 eastbound near Richmond Drive completely obstructed by rising waters.
In light of the multiple downed trees reported in Cobb County and a severe crash near Dallas Acworth Highway, the situation made for a tumultuous start to the day for many commuters. The dangerous conditions extended beyond the roads, with an Atlanta child tragically struck by a hit-and-run driver as reported by Atlanta News First. Severe storm alerts and a flurry of emergency closures and delays for schools across Georgia compounded the chaos. Fayette County Sheriff's Office noted, "One lane of Goza Road is closed due to a tree falling on a power line," while Carrolton PD announced the closure of Strickland Road near Southwire because of flooding.
Amidst the turmoil, an accident involving a school bus on I-285 eastbound at Buford Highway raised additional concerns, though details concerning the school district and the presence of students onboard were not immediately available. Adding to the disruption, the Atlanta airport reported a significant impact on flights due to the weather, recommending passengers check with FlightAware for the latest updates on delays and cancellations, "Several feet of water" was reported close to the I-285/WB exit to I-85 SB in southwest Atlanta, compelling the Atlanta-Fulton County EMA to issue warnings for that area as well.
Meanwhile, crews across the Atlanta metro area continue to respond to the emergency, working tirelessly to clear roadways and restore normalcy as the community braces for the possibility of ongoing inclement weather
