Downtown I‑75/85 Floods Strands Drivers

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for eastern Fulton and west-central DeKalb counties at 5:16 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, May 20, after thunderstorms dumped heavy rain across Atlanta. The warning said 1 to 1.5 inches of rain had already fallen, with rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches in 30 minutes and flash flooding expected in urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses. By the evening commute, floodwater had overtaken parts of the I-75/I-85 Downtown Connector near Baker Street, trapping vehicles in lanes downtown. Georgia transportation cameras and local television footage showed one driver on the roof of a stranded white sedan as water rose around the car. ### Where did the worst flooding hit? The Downtown Connector near Baker Street was the clearest choke point Wednesday afternoon, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation footage cited by FOX 5 Atlanta and 11Alive. Water built quickly on both northbound and southbound lanes of I-75/I-85, and several drivers tried to push through before smaller vehicles began stalling in the standing water. (forecast.weather.gov) Atlanta was among the locations named in the weather warning, along with Midtown, Piedmont Park, Atlantic Station, Sweet Auburn and Virginia Highland. The warning from the Peachtree City forecast office said the flooding threat covered parts of eastern Fulton County and west-central DeKalb County. ### How fast did conditions turn dangerous on the interstate? (fox5atlanta.com) FOX 5 Atlanta reported that GDOT camera video showed the water rise within about two minutes near the Baker Street overpass. One vehicle became partially submerged up to window level, and a motorist was later seen standing on the roof before reaching safety. (forecast.weather.gov) 11Alive reported that the stranded driver was carried to the median by another person who crossed through the water. The station also reported that a white sedan remained stuck in floodwater for hours after the initial surge. ### What did emergency crews say about rescues and injuries? (fox5atlanta.com) Atlanta Fire Rescue Department crews responded near West Peachtree Street Northeast for reports of multiple stranded vehicles, FOX 5 Atlanta reported. Firefighters found four affected vehicles, confirmed that all occupants had gotten out before crews arrived, and determined that no water rescues were needed. No injuries were reported, according to the station. (11alive.com) The City of Atlanta said in a statement carried by 11Alive that city teams were monitoring conditions, responding to roadway hazards and drainage concerns, and coordinating with the Georgia Department of Transportation. The city said the incident was also being tracked from its Integrated Command Center. (fox5atlanta.com) ### Why was the flood warning so urgent? The 5:16 p.m. warning from the National Weather Service carried an Emergency Alert System activation request and said flash flooding was ongoing or expected to begin shortly. The bulletin warned of flooding in highways, streets, underpasses and other poor-drainage areas, and repeated the agency’s standard instruction: “Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads.” (11alive.com) FOX 5 Atlanta later reported that the warning remained in effect until 11:15 p.m. before being canceled at 8:15 p.m. after storms moved out of metro Atlanta. ### Where can drivers check conditions now? 511GA describes itself as Georgia’s official source for real-time traffic and travel information, with live traffic conditions, incidents and road updates statewide. (forecast.weather.gov) The City of Atlanta told residents to check 511 before traveling and to report highway issues through GDOT, while directing non-emergency city issues to ATL311 and emergencies to 911. (fox5atlanta.com) As of Thursday, May 21, 511GA remained the state’s public-facing source for current road conditions, traffic cameras and alerts. Drivers using the Downtown Connector and other metro Atlanta routes can use that service to track any remaining closures or lane impacts tied to Wednesday’s flooding. (511ga.org)