Storms bring down trees, causing damage in Atlanta

ATLANTA — The National Weather Service has canceled a tornado warning for portions of Cherokee and Cobb counties.

Strong storms swept through metro Atlanta bringing heavy rain, wind and lightning on Friday afternoon.

There were reports of local street flooding, along with lightning strikes that damaged homes.

A roof collapsed at an industrial building on Empire Boulevard in southwest Atlanta. Firefighters are on the scene but no injuries are reported.

Channel 2's Ryan Young showed video of rain pouring out of the building down the stairs after the collapse. A spokeswoman said heavy rain caused the roof to collapse.

Atlanta Public Schools cancelled all after-school activities due to weather conditions on Friday and the DeKalb County Recorders Court closed early Friday and will remain closed Monday, due to weather damage.

Those scheduled to appear Monday will be notified of a new court date.  Recorders Court staff will report to work, even though the courthouse will be closed to the general public.

A family in Snellville said one tree snapped like a match stick and crashed into their home.
 
"It just like karate chopped the house," said resident Amelia Blanton.
 
Blanton said the tree was healthy before lightning struck it, sending it crashing into her home on Colony Oaks Drive.
 
"Well, you can see it. It's hanging on by a thread so if that goes, I don't know what it's going to do to the house," Blanton said.
 
She walked Channel 2's Carl Willis through the house with rainwater still on the floor and tree limbs piercing the ceiling.
 
"My mom was actually in her room when that happened which was right next to the bathroom so it narrowly missed her," Blanton said.
 
Blanton said a neighbor actually witnessed the lightning strike that hit the tree. It is now charred and splintered at the base.
 
"It was a really loud close clap of thunder so I went in the living room, my mom went into the living room and we were just kind of checking it out and we could see branches overhead," Blanton said.
 
"I've never seen it rain that hard and it was just like a lot of thunder and got really dark, saw wind blowing sideways," Blanton said.
 
There was also a report of a tree down on a Mableton home. The homeowner said the tree fell on her house and four cars.
 
"[The tree fell on] the corner of the house but some of the cars are covered but I don't know the extent because I can't really see," the homeowner said.
 
In both cases, no one was hurt.
 
"We're really lucky that didn't happen but it's a mess it's plaster and insulation everywhere," Blanton said.

Meteorologist Brad Nitz said more thunderstorms could be expected on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

Download the Severe Weather Team 2 app to stay up-to-date on the latest warnings and weather in your area and watch meteorologist Katie Walls over the weekend to stay updated on any severe weather.

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