Severe Storms Disrupt Travel in the Southeast

Strong thunderstorms swept through the Southeast on Friday evening, causing widespread travel disruptions, flash floods, and hail. In Atlanta, this weather led to flight diversions and delays at the busy Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.

Delta Air Lines, headquartered in Atlanta, reported that nearly 90 flights were redirected to other airports in the region as the storm struck just before 8 p.m. The storm included quarter-inch hail and microburst winds, prompting the airline to remove 100 aircraft from service at its Atlanta hub for damage inspections.

Delta stated that crews worked overnight to inspect planes exposed to hail, and most aircraft were expected to be back in service by Saturday. The weather also caused more than 380 flight cancellations on Saturday, with ongoing delays expected as crews reset aircraft and rest periods are observed.

During the storm, a temporary ground stop was issued at Hartsfield-Jackson from 7:11 to 8:30 p.m., restricting departures and arrivals. Additionally, the FAA evacuated the airport control tower due to strong wind gusts, leaving only two controllers to manage inbound flights during the halt.

The storm’s effects persisted into Saturday, with additional delays and cancellations. Heavy rains caused flash flooding, dropping nearly an inch of rain within an hour at the airport, and flooding forced the closure of parts of Interstate 75 east of Atlanta.