Heavy Downpour, Tornadoes, Flooding Possible As Warnings Issued In GA

GEORGIA — Metro Atlanta was under a flood watch until 7 p.m. Tuesday while the Georgia coast was under a wind advisory until 10 p.m. as heavy storms poured onto the Peach State.

The National Weather Service's Charleston, South Carolina, office reported a strong cold front was forcing its way throughout the southeast into Tuesday night.

Severe thunderstorms, high winds, coastal flooding and dangerous marine conditions were expected to impact southeast Georgia and southeast South Carolina, the weather service said.

Bryan, Chatham and other counties along the coast were expected to see south winds of 25-35 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph.

"Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high-profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects," the weather service said in the alert.

Severe storms and isolated tornadoes could potentially appear south of Columbus to Macon, the weather service's Peachtree City office said.

A Georgia Power map showed thousands without power as of around 4 p.m. Tuesday.

"Severe weather including strong winds and heavy rain will continue to move across the state today. Our crews are working safely and as quickly as possible to restore power to impacted customers. Thank you for your patience and please continue to stay weather aware," Georgia Power said on its website.

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Clayton County officials reported around 11 a.m. Tuesday a road closure due to flooding between Garden Walk and Arrowhead Boulevard on Upper Riverdale Road. Drivers were asked to use alternate routes. It is unknown how long the closure lasted.

A photo shared by the weather service Tuesday on X, formerly Twitter, shows cars outside of a Covington-area store underwater.

"Reports of flooding are coming in from all across the area. Stay safe out there and do not attempt to drive through flood waters," the weather service wrote in the post.

Warnings and Watches

As for the flood watch in metro Atlanta, the alert was issued as the threat for excessive rainfall continues to be a concern, the weather service said.

Clarke, Cobb, Douglas, DeKalb, Fulton, Cherokee, Barrow, Gwinnett and several other counties were under the flood watch.

"Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Storm drains and ditches may become clogged with debris," the weather service said in the alert.

The heaviest of the rain was expected in the morning and afternoon hours Tuesday as the front travels through the area. The weather service said rainfall amounts of 2-4 inches were possible and some areas could receive higher amounts, specifically near the mountains.

Central Georgia was under a tornado watch until 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Portions of west central and north Georgia were under a flood warning until 2 p.m. Tuesday. Flooding was either ongoing or expected to soon begin in the impacted cities, the weather service said.

Atlanta, Newnan, Douglasville, LaGrange, Fayetteville, Jonesboro, Hamilton, Greenville, South Fulton, Peachtree City, East Point, Union City, Forest Park, Riverdale, College Park, Fairburn, Tyrone, Morrow, Lovejoy and Hapeville could all have some flooding.

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Meanwhile, North Fork Peachtree Creek at Briarwood Road Atlanta was under a flood warning until further notice, impacting DeKalb County.

The creek reached what the weather service called the "flood stage" around 9 a.m., when the maximum river level was 10 feet.

"Minor flooding occurs along the banks upstream and downstream of the gage on Briarwood Road. Flooding of low lying portions of the Peachtree Creek Greenway occurs, particularly areas of the Greenway near Corporate Boulevard," the weather service said in the alert.

The Yellow River at Pleasant Hill Road near Lithonia was also under a flood warning until sometime Wednesday evening, impacting DeKalb and Rockdale counties, while minor flooding was forecast for the Yellow River Basin. Suwanee, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Lithonia, Stone Mountain, Snellville, Loganville and other areas are all forecast to be affected by the potential minor flooding of the basin.

The river reached a water level of 4.9 feet around 7:45 a.m. Tuesday with the weather service warning moderate flooding starts at 17 feet.

The river continued to rise, with the weather service predicting the water level would increase to a crest of 16.9 feet after midnight before dwindling below 13 feet early Wednesday afternoon.

"Significant flooding expands into the woodlands and fields near the river upstream and downstream from the gage on Pleasant Hill Road. In Dekalb County, some flooding of backyards of homes occurs on Harmony Hills Drive and Court. Johnson Creek flowing under Union Grove Road into the river continues to back up. In Rockdale County, some flooding of yards begins in the Lake Capri subdivision," the weather service said in the alert.

Weather officials cautioned drivers to not drive on flooded roads.

Northeast Georgia was under a high wind warning until 1 p.m. Tuesday due to wind gusts of at least 50 mph.

Once the Storm Passes

After Tuesday's storms, Georgia should gear up for another storm system Friday. Some of these storms could become strong to severe, the weather service said.

Around 3:45 p.m., the weather service predicted showers after 1 a.m. Friday with a 90 percent chance of precipitation after 10 a.m.

A 20 percent chance of showers are possible before 1 a.m. Saturday. Afterwards, sunny and clear skies will exist until Sunday night when more showers are forecast.

Monday, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, could also be rainy.

The weather service predicted the following detailed forecast around 3:45 p.m. Tuesday:

This Afternoon: Partly sunny, with a high near 52. Southwest wind 15-20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Tonight: Isolated showers between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. West wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 47. West wind 10-15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34. Southwest wind 5-10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 56. West wind 5-10 mph.

Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.

Friday: Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 10 a.m. High near 61. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent.

Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. Windy.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 42.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 27.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 46.

Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31.

M.L.King Day: A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 47.