ATLANTA — Across Metro Atlanta and north Georgia, people are bracing for strong storms overnight Saturday and into Sunday morning.
The National Weather Service has canceled a Tornado Watch that was in effect for many Georgia counties until 9 a.m.
The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for the following counties until 1 p.m.: Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Candler, Columbia, Effingham, Elbert, Franklin, Habersham, Hart, Jenkins, Liberty, Lincoln, Long, McIntosh, McDuffie, Rabun, Richmond, Stephens, and Tattnall.
Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Ashley Kramlich says a strong line of storms will be moving across Georgia between 3 a.m. and 8 a.m. Sunday.
That line brings with it a slight chance of damaging wind gusts and the possibility of brief spin-up tornadoes.
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According to Kramlich, this is the first severe storm system to threaten Metro Atlanta since Hurricane Helene on Sept. 27.
The region has seen long stretches of calm weather, with only a trace of rain in all of October. That said, 2024 has so far been the 15th wettest year on record in north Georgia.
Channel 2′s Bryan Mims spoke to Janasthisa DeJesus who lives in Buckhead and grew used to the uneventful weather forecasts.
“I think it could be better,” she said of the Sunday forecast. “I’d rather more sunny days. It’s gloomy.”
DeJesus spoke at a gas station along Peachtree Road in Buckhead, where vehicles were splashing through standing water Saturday evening.
Peachtree Creek, which overflowed its banks during Helene, flowed calmly.
The storm system overnight could cause flash flooding and topple trees and power lines.
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Chris Harper, who deliverers mail for the U.S. Post Office, said he doesn’t usually shy away from inclement weather, but he intends to stay dry on his day of rest.
“I’m at home tomorrow,” he said. “So I’m good.”
Emmanuel Park had the same idea. “Just staying off the road,” he said. “It’s the weekend. Just stay in.”
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Kramlich says that most of the rain will move out of the area by Sunday afternoon.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Thunderstorms possible overnight Saturday and into Sunday morning
- Rain moves out by Sunday afternoon
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