Flooding, toppled trees, power lines reported in metro Atlanta

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Mangled metal near Mableton Parkway and Industrial Boulevard in Mableton. Credit: Allison Carney

Heavy rain and gusty winds swept through metro Atlanta Wednesday, toppling trees, downing power lines and flooding streets in regions under a tornado warning.

In Roswell, Chaffin Road remained closed late Wednesday night as crews continued to work to restore power in the neighborhood. A tree came crashing down on Chaffin Road near Coleman Drove, taking power lines with it.

“I heard a thumb and then all of a sudden I jumped up and I am going, oh my God what is happening,” said Sandra Cosman who lives in the neighborhood.

Some residents lost power and learned of what happened in their neighborhood as they got home from work.

“At first it was like finally it’s raining, thank God,” said resident Pierre Kimball. “Then next thing I knew there was all kinds of stuff blowing around in the backyard, it was you know not scary by any means, but I was thinking it was pretty severe.”

Residents said they are grateful no one in their was hurt in their neighborhood. 

A viewer sent in images of mangled metal and trees snapped in half near Mableton Parkway and Industrial Boulevard in Mableton, Georgia. It's a testament to the powerful winds lashing the area.

The heavy rain has brought traffic to a slow crawl in both directions on Atlanta's downtown connector. Some local schools are under a delayed release as the inclement conditions move through the area.


The heavy rain is causing flooding in some Atlanta neighborhoods, where fallen leaves are blocking the storm drains. 

Strong storms blew into Cobb County Wednesday. Mableton had the most signficant damage.

Part of a roof was blown off and landed in a heap of metal at the intersection of Mableton Parkway and Lee Industrial. The rest of the roof landed in a field about 200 yards away.

Sylvia McAfee was in her car, driving on Mableton Parkway when the storm hit. “I just happened to be right here when the roof fell and trees were knocked down. Wind was going in every direction, you couldn't see a foot in front of you,” says McAfee.

Large Oak trees were pulled up by the roots along Discovery Blvd. Four cars were crushed by trees parked at the QuikTrip at the intersection of Lee Industrial and Mableton Parkway.

Throughout the afternoon and into the evening, crews were working to restore power and repair traffic signals. There were no reports of injuries.

 

The National Weather Service said a tornado touched down in the Vinings area of Cobb County, where a Tornado Warning was issued until 2:15 p.m Wednesday. DeKalb and Fulton counties were also included in the warning. 

Five people were killed and more than a dozen were injured as a suspected tornado swept across parts of Alabama and Tennessee early Wednesday.