Anzhe Zhang

The metro Atlanta area was hit hard last week by showers and heavy thunderstorms that caused major flooding, leading to road closures on I-75 south in Cumberland, Interstate 285, and power outages in parts of McDonough.

A flash flood warning was also issued for Floyd and Polk counties, while Clarke, Oglethorpe and Madison counties had severe thunderstorm warnings.

Georgia 511 advised drivers and motorists during the storm to reroute, noting that under flooding conditions, it was unclear when the roads would be operating again (they are open now).

The flooding and storm weather created major transportation problems for residents, and for businesses that lost electricity due to heavy winds that knocked down power lines.

Traffic and business nuisances aside, the floods have caused major damage to communities in the area, as one resident’s home was damaged to the point of creating a sinkhole, while entire parts of roads have crumbled from the flooding.

Among the litany of emergencies during the flood last weekend, six people were rescued after being stuck in the Chattahoochee River, while responders had to help a driver whose car was stuck because of the flooding.