Strong storms swept through metro Atlanta on Monday morning, causing significant damage and power outages throughout the area. Hartfield-Jackson International Airport even experienced a full ground stop for planes as a result of the severe weather.

According to Channel 2 Action News chief meteorologist Brad Nitz, the morning storms brought down trees and power lines ahead of an approaching cold front. However, Nitz reassured the public that the storms were expected to become isolated as the day progressed.

Nitz added that the isolated showers and storms could be heavy at times, accompanied by gusty winds. By nightfall and into early Tuesday morning, the skies were predicted to become mostly cloudy to partially cleared with low temperatures dropping into the upper 60s.

Tuesday, on the other hand, is expected to bring back sunshine and slightly warmer temperatures, reaching the mid to upper 80s.

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Middle Georgia into South Carolina, but by noon, most of the counties under the watch were removed. This provided some relief for residents in the affected areas.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) took precautionary measures during the storms, issuing a ground stop for all flights at Hartfield-Jackson International Airport. This resulted in hundreds of flights being delayed, causing inconvenience for many passengers. However, the FAA later modified the restriction and instituted a departure delay warning of approximately 30 minutes for flights.

Power outages caused by fallen trees and damaged power lines were reported across various counties. GreyStone Power Corp. reported that at least 4,000 customers in Fulton County were without power in the morning, but the number was reduced to around 600 by noon.

Georgia Electric Cooperative also faced significant disruptions, with over 25,000 customers across the state affected by power outages in the morning, particularly in north Georgia and metro Atlanta. However, by noon, the number of homes without power decreased to 13,000.

Georgia Power reported early power outages in northwest Georgia and metro Atlanta, affecting hundreds of customers. The restoration timeframe for all areas without power remains unknown at this time.

Residents are encouraged to stay informed about power outage updates through the Georgia Power Outage Map and EMC Power Outage Maps, depending on their respective service providers.

The authorities and power companies are working tirelessly to restore power to all affected areas as quickly as possible. In the meantime, it is advised to stay safe and be prepared for any further severe weather conditions that may arise.