(Update 9:30 p.m.) Most standing water that shut down lanes at multiple points on I-285 has subsided, easing Monday night traffic around metro Atlanta.
Two exit ramps in the Cobb Cloverleaf junction have reopened on the northwestern edge of the Perimeter, while on the east side, an exit from I-285 to Covington Highway is no longer flooded.
Electric power has also been restored to most Georgia Power customers, according to the utility’s outage map. Less than 2% of customers are suffering power outages in any of the metro Atlanta counties.
(Update 7:50 p.m.) Intense thunderstorms dumped rain on metro Atlanta on Monday evening, creating dangerous driving conditions and flooding on major highways.
Around the Cobb Cloverleaf, the exit ramp from I-285 West to I-75 South is shut down due to flooding, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation. A HERO truck is blocking the ramp before the flooded area.
Credit: Georgia Department of Transportation
Credit: Georgia Department of Transportation
Just above the Cloverleaf, two lanes of I-75 South are blocked near the exit ramp to I-285 East, according to GDOT. In Mableton, Ga. 8 is shut down in both directions at Andrews Drive, while Ga. 280 is also shut down both ways at Cooper Lake Road near Smyrna.
About 10,000 Georgia Power customers are without power in Fulton and DeKalb counties, the utility’s outage map shows.
Original story:
Metro Atlanta will trade one weather extreme for the other Monday, leaving behind highs near 100 degrees but picking up the chance for a severe thunderstorm.
Heavy rain fell across the region overnight, and more rain and storms are in the forecast this afternoon, according to Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan. All that wet weather will help to cool things off considerably after a stretch of dangerous heat.
“Ninety-nine Saturday, 97 yesterday, and finally some storms to cool us off,” Monahan said. “Today is going to be a lot cooler, down to near 90 degrees, that closer to average high temperatures.”
Atlanta’s average high for this time of year is 88 degrees.
The overnight rain has come to an end for most of the region, but a flash flood warning remains in effect until 10 a.m. for Walton, Oconee and Morgan counties to the east, where it is still coming down in buckets. Some areas of Walton have already recorded more than 7 inches of rainfall, according to Channel 2.
A flash flood warning indicates that flash flooding is already occurring. Those headed out to work or school should watch for standing water on the roads. Do not attempt to drive through floodwaters, the National Weather Service warns.
Monahan expects all of North Georgia will get a break from the rain as skies turn partly cloudy by midmorning. Another chance of showers and storms is in the afternoon forecast, and there is a Level 1 of 5 risk that some could turn severe.
“We’ve got this front that came through yesterday. It’s stuck across the middle part of the state,” Monahan said. “And that’s going to give us the energy we need for some storms later this afternoon ... that will continue through the overnight hours.”
Heavy rain will be the primary impact this afternoon, he said, with a low to moderate risk of damaging winds and a high probability of frequent lightning.
“For your outdoor plans, late morning, early afternoon will be a little quieter,” Monahan said. “As we head toward tomorrow, same deal. For Tuesday, earlier is better.”
A 70% chance of a shower or storm is in Tuesday’s afternoon forecast, and it should be even cooler with a projected high of 85. In fact, highs in the 80s are in store for the rest of the week, as well as daily rain chances, according to Channel 2.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Later this week, parts of South Georgia and Florida could feel the impacts from Tropical Storm Idalia, which is forecast to intensify to hurricane strength later Monday. It could become a major Category 3 hurricane before making landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast, according to the latest storm track projections.
Credit: WSBTV Videos
» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.
» For updated traffic information, listen to News 95.5 and AM 750 WSB and follow @wsbtraffic on Twitter.
» Download The Atlanta Journal-Constitution app for weather alerts on-the-go.
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