Severe storms leave trail of damage across metro Atlanta

ATLANTA — Several severe thunderstorms downed trees and power lines and sparked at least one fire in metro Atlanta Saturday morning.

Viewers sent Channel 2 Action News pictures and video of trees on homes and cars, storm debris and downed power lines across the metro Atlanta area.

Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Katie Walls said more storms could develop on Saturday afternoon.

MINUTE BY MINUTE DAMAGE:

11:02 a.m.

A Channel 2 viewer sent us photos of a tree that crushed a pickup truck in Jasper. Widespread damage has been reported in that area.

9:45 a.m.

Gwinnett County officials say trees fell on at least four homes and there was a fire at another home. There were no reports of injuries.

9:17 a.m.

Strong storms blew at least two gas station roofs over in Forsyth County. 

9:12 a.m.

Storms are still brining intense lightning south of the Atlanta metro area in Troup and Meriwether Counties.

8:50 a.m.

Parts of I-75 through Marietta flooded during heavy downpours. Severe Weather Team 2 is advising people to stay off the roads.

8:36 a.m.

Dawson County Fire & Emergency Services are currently working numerous trees down and widespread power outage. No known injures are being reported. Crews are assessing several homes with damage.

8:33 a.m.

The severe thunderstorm watch has now been canceled for most of the metro Atlanta area as residents start to clean up.

8:24 a.m.

Residents reported waking up to a lightning strike at Creekside Crossing Apartments in Lithonia. They saw fire in a chimney.

8:11 a.m.

Heavy flooding is affecting most lanes on the inner loop of I-285 westbound. Avoid the area.

7:52 a.m.

Delays at Hartsfield are averaging 30 to 45 minutes right now.

7:50 a.m.

More counties including Cobb and Gwinnett have been removed from the severe thunderstorm watch.

7:49 a.m.

47,000+ are now without power in the metro Atlanta area.

7:47 a.m.

The severe thunderstorm watch has been lifted for most counties in the north Georgia mountains.

7:45 a.m.

Channel 2's Lauren Pozen says she's seeing a lot of storm debris in the road in Suwanee.

PHOTOS: Strong storms down trees, power lines across metro Atlanta

7:40 a.m.

Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Katie Walls says she's optimistic most Stuff the Bus locations will be dry by 10 a.m.

Here's where you can help Stuff the Bus! 

7:34 a.m.

Strong storms are now moving through south metro Atlanta.

7:32 a.m.

Viewers are sending us photos of trees down across the metro Atlanta area.

7:19 a.m.

Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Brian Monahan is warning to avoid driving on I-20 as severe storms move through the southern half of metro Atlanta.

7:16 a.m

Viewers are reporting trees and power lines down in Suwanee.

7:14 a.m.

40,000+ now without power across the metro Atlanta area.

7:03 a.m.

Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is reporting a ground stop due to thunderstorms.

7:02 a.m.

Viewers are seeing intense lightning in Lilburn.

7:01 a.m.

The severe thunderstorm watch has been canceled for much of the north Georgia mountains. It is still in effect for the metro Atlanta area.

6:59 a.m.

Georgia Power is now reporting 37,000+ are without power in the metro Atlanta area.

6:58 a.m.

Storms are now moving through metro Atlanta with torrential rain and thunder.

6:56 a.m.

Residents are reporting a tree down on a home and people trapped inside in Murray County.

6:48 a.m

More than 25,000 people are reportedly without power in north Georgia as storms move through, downing trees and power lines.

6:40 a.m.

Trees and power lines are down in Cherokee County and there are reports of lightning hitting two homes.

6:37 a.m.

Cumming residents are reporting frequent lightning, strong winds and nickel-sized hail.

6:34 a.m.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Barrow, Gwinnett, Hall and Walton County in GA until 7:15 a.m.

Burns said the main area of concern for those storms will be mainly to the east and southeast from Athens, down to around Eatonton and around lake country, near Lake Oconee.

“You really have to be on guard for some possible strong or severe thunderstorms,” Burns said.

By late Saturday evening, things will taper off again.

Burns said the biggest storm threats throughout the evening and Saturday will be a moderate chance of hail, a high possibility of frequent cloud-to-ground lightning and high possibility of damaging winds.

The rain will stick around through the beginning of the new week, with rain chances every day through at least Wednesday.

Cox Media Group