Local

Storms leave behind trail of damage, severe flooding in metro Atlanta

ATLANTA — Strong storms spawned by the remnants of Hurricane Delta moved across north Georgia Saturday night, producing dozens of tornado warnings and flash floods.

The National Weather Service has confirmed at least one tornado. An EF-1, tore through Newton County around 4:30 p.m.

The heavy rain caused flooding in parts of Atlanta, prompting several water rescues Saturday night and early Sunday morning. Multiple roads remained impassible Sunday morning.

In Lilburn, a CSX train went off the rails in heavy rain, sparking a fire and injuring two workers on the train.

In Covington, a homeless shelter was damaged, according to county officials.

Officials with the shelter said there were about 20 men inside the building eating dinner and watching TV when the storm hit. Two of those men sustained minor injuries. Crews will go back out to the shelter.

Newnan High School in Coweta County also appears to have sustained damage from the storms.

In Gwinnett County, dramatic video captured the moment firefighters rescued two people stranded in their car as floodwaters swiftly rose around them.

The storms also toppled trees onto cars and homes in parts of DeKalb County.

Channel 2′s Audrey Washington went out to Brenda Drive in Decatur where she found trees stretched across the roadway, blocking anyone from leaving or driving down the street.

On Hanes Drive, emergency crews said a fallen tree caused a gas leak, but firefighters said the gas company was on the way to get the leak fixed.

Earlier in the evening, Washington said she drove through parts of Fulton County and the State Capitol where she found some street flooding and drivers just trying to make it through.

All tornado warnings expired and most of the dangerous storms moved out after 9 p.m.

Here’s how the evening unfolded:

9:19 p.m.

Emergency responders are working to rescue a person trapped in a car in flood waters on Pine Valley Road. There is also a car stuck at W. Wesley Road.

9:00 p.m.

Multiple trees are down on houses in the area of Hanes Drive in DeKalb County.

8:38 p.m.

Heavy flooding has been reported in the area of Huff Road in Atlanta. Several people were rescued from their cars, officials said.

8:35 p.m.

A tornado warning has been issued for DeKalb and Gwinnett counties until 9 p.m.

8:12 p.m.

A tornado warning has been issued for DeKalb County until 8:30 p.m.

8:00 p.m.

A building that served the homeless was damaged in Covington, leaving two people with minor injuries.


7:50 p.m.

Tornado warning issued for DeKalb, Henry and Clayton counties until 8:15 p.m.

7:43 p.m.

A tornado warning has been issued for Henry and Clayton counties until 8:15 p.m.

7:40 p.m.

Viewers sent us photos of damage at Newnan High School.

7:27 p.m.

A tornado warning has been issued for Monroe, Henry, Butts and Lamar counties until 8 p.m.

7:20 p.m.

A tornado warning has been issued for Henry and Clayton counties until 7:45 p.m.

7:12 p.m.

A tornado warning has been issued for Floyd and Polk counties until 7:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

A tornado warning has been issued for Spalding, Fayette, Henry and Clayton counties until 7:15 p.m.

6:50 p.m.

A tornado warning has been issued Monroe, and Lamar counties until 7:30 p.m.

6:00 p.m.

Channel 2 Action News viewers reported seeing a massive funnel cloud over Covington. It’s unclear if that storm produced any damage.

There’s a Level 2 risk for parts of south and west metro Atlanta, including the threat of heavy rain, damaging winds and tornadoes. The Level 2 threat is mostly west of I-75 and south of a line stretching from Rome to Lawrenceville.

It’s a day you’ll want to check forecasts on Channel 2 Action News and keep the Severe Weather Team 2 app handy.

Severe Weather Team 2 meteorologist Eboni Deon says parts of Georgia could see up to an inch of rain and possible strong storms over the next two days.

The whole day will not be a washout but expect more storms Saturday evening and overnight into Sunday. Rain will start to taper off Sunday night.

We’re going over the when the heaviest rain arrives in your neighborhood, throughout the day on Channel 2 Action News

[DOWNLOAD: WSB-TV’s Weather App for storm alerts in your neighborhood]

Here’s what to know:

  • Strong storms are moving into west Georgia Saturday afternoon
  • A tornado watch is in effect for much of metro Atlanta until 9 p.m.
  • Areas could see half an inch to an inch and a half of rain through the weekend
  • Strong storms are possible
  • You could see steady downpours throughout the day

[INTERACTIVE RADAR: StormTracker 2HD]