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Severe thunderstorms hit metro Atlanta, causing damage and power outages

Storms bring down trees, powerlines and hail

A series of severe thunderstorms swept through metro Atlanta on Tuesday afternoon, bringing down trees, powerlines and hail in some areas. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued several severe thunderstorm warnings for various counties in the region, as well as a tornado watch until 8 p.m.

According to the NWS, the storms were capable of producing 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail, which could damage roofs, siding and vehicles. Some residents reported seeing large hailstones falling from the sky, while others shared photos and videos of fallen trees and branches on social media.

The Georgia Power Company estimated that more than 116,000 customers were without power as of 6:15 p.m., mostly in Fulton, DeKalb and Cobb counties. The company said it was working to restore service as quickly and safely as possible.

Traffic and airport delays

The severe weather also affected traffic and airport operations in the metro area. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) reported several incidents of flooding, debris and disabled vehicles on major highways, such as I-75, I-85 and I-285. Drivers were advised to use caution and avoid unnecessary travel.

The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport experienced significant delays due to the storms. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), some arriving flights were delayed by an average of 90 minutes, while some departing flights were delayed by an average of 45 minutes. Travelers were urged to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

Severe thunderstorms hit metro Atlanta

MARTA service disrupted

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) also faced some disruptions due to the storms. The agency said that a tree fell across the westbound tracks at Indian Creek Station, affecting the Blue Line service. All westbound Blue Line trains were boarding on the eastbound platform at Kensington Station and the middle westbound platform at Avondale Station.

MARTA said it was working to clear the tree and resume normal service as soon as possible. It apologized for any inconvenience caused by the weather.

More storms expected

The 11Alive StormTrackers team said that the threat of severe weather was not over yet, as more storms were expected to develop later in the evening and overnight. The team said that the main threats from these storms would be damaging winds, large hail and isolated tornadoes.

The team advised residents to stay alert and prepared for any severe weather alerts. They also recommended downloading the 11Alive app and joining the 11Alive StormTrackers Facebook group for the latest updates and information.

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