Georgia weather storm metro Atlanta live updates Jan. 9

Refresh often for updates.

ATLANTA — Heavy wind, rain and storms came through metro Atlanta and north Georgia Tuesday morning, leaving behind damage, flooding and sparking a tornado warning over heavily populated areas at one point.

In Clayton County, one death was confirmed after a tree fell onto a car.

At 8:15 a.m., a tornado warning was issued for Atlanta, East Point and areas including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport until 8:45 a.m. It also included parts of DeKalb and Clayton counties before expiring; we have no confirmed reports at this time that a tornado touched down.

A flood warning was issued until 2 p.m. for Fulton County, Clayton County, DeKalb County, as well as Carroll, Coweta, Douglas, Fayette, Harris, Heard, Henry, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, Troup, and Upson counties.

A flash flood warning was issued until 2:45 p.m. for Meriwether, Pike, Coweta and Upson counties. Another flash flood warning was issued until 3 p.m. for Spalding, Henry, Newton and Rockdale counties.

A flash flood watch is also in effect for the north Georgia mountains.

Follow live updates below. You can also track weather as it moves in via your county's radar online here.

People can get weather alerts from 11Alive's meteorologists on the 11Alive+ app on Roku and Amazon Fire TV. Download 11Alive News app and sign up to receive alerts for the latest.

Scroll below for live updates, weather alerts.

Live radar

Live updates

7 p.m. | 11Alive's Chief Meteorologist Chris Holcomb breaks down the rain totals and rain record total for Jan. 9:

6:30 p.m. | Some school districts across the metro have announced delays for Wednesday, Jan. 10. Click here for the full list.

6:20 p.m. | Georgia Power provided an update Tuesday evening after the storms. The company said power has been restored to approximately 115,000 customers as crews continue to work.

We understand how important having power is for you and your family. At this time, we have successfully restored power to approximately 115,000+ customers. Thank you for your understanding and patience as our crew continues to work.
Please remember to stay weather aware. For the…
— Georgia Power (@GeorgiaPower) January 9, 2024

6 p.m. | Here's a look at the Chattahoochee River flooding in Roswell near Riverside Drive under Georgia 400.

5:30 p.m. | 11Alive continues to monitor the damage from the storms Tuesday evening. Here's the latest update on your forecast and the latest look at flooding and downed trees across the metro.

4:26 p.m. | Video shows flooding on Georgia 197 North in Habersham County between Clarkesville and Batesville.

4:20 p.m. | Habersham County officials posted photos on Facebook of some of the flooding from Tuesday around the county.

Here are some scenes from today’s flooding around Habersham County.
Posted by Habersham County on Tuesday, January 9, 2024

12:52 p.m. | The National Weather Service reports minor flooding from Nancy Creek at West Wesley Road in Atlanta, and a flood warning is in place there "until further notice."

"This includes Nancy Creek Road and Ridge Valley Court. Portions of The Westminster Schools athletic fields upstream from the gage will begin to flood," the notice states.

12:41 p.m. | Keep an eye out on south Georgia today as well. Severe storms have continued into the afternoon in that region.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Vidalia GA, Swainsboro GA and Lyons GA until 1:30 PM EST
— NWS Atlanta (@NWSAtlanta) January 9, 2024

12:40 p.m. | And flooding at the UGA campus in Athens:

In Athens, the Earth is weeping on Georgia's first morning not being national champions
— Dayne Young (@dayneyoung) January 9, 2024

12:35 p.m. | More flooding - this time at a Ross parking lot in Covington:

Reports of flooding are coming in from all across the area. Stay safe out there and do not attempt to drive through flood waters.
Picture from Covington GA. #gawx #Flood
— NWS Atlanta (@NWSAtlanta) January 9, 2024

12:05 p.m. | More flooding, here with a reported road closure in Henry County:

HENRY CO. - All lanes are blocked on SR 81 N/S at Angie Dr. (mm 12.54) due to roadway flooding.
Expect delays & consider alt. routes | Est. clear time: 12:51 pm #HenryCounty
Check for updates:
— 511 GA - A Service of Georgia DOT (@511Georgia) January 9, 2024

12:00 p.m. | 11Alive's Cody Alcorn obtained this video of flooding in Griffin:

The park in Griffin in Spalding County. Fred Lyons captured this video earlier today. Griffin-Spalding County Schools canceled classes for today.
— Cody Alcorn (@CodyAlcorn) January 9, 2024

11:36 a.m. | We have confirmation of one death in a wreck during the weather this morning, in Clayton County, as a tree fell onto a car.

11:35 a.m. | Several metro Atlanta waterways are showing minor flooding at this stage - among them Peachtree Creek in Atlanta, North Fork Peachtree Creek at Buford Highway and Briarwood Road, Sweetwater Creek in Lilburn, Big Creek in Alpharetta and Cumming, Pew Creek near Lawrenceville, Big Haynes Creek and No Business Creek, both near Snellville, and the Yellow River near Lithonia.

Currently, there are more serious moderate flooding forecasts for two waterways in the region - the Yellow River near Lithonia, specifically at Pleasant Hill Road, and the Chattooga River up in Summerville.

11:20 a.m. | Some insight into how significant this storm system was, down along the Florida Panhandle - including Panama City Beach - saw major damage in some parts with unconfirmed reports of tornadoes.

Caught on Camera: this is the waterspout tornado that moved onshore early this morning in Panama City Beach causing damage at the Lower Lagoon.
The same cell is tracking into parts of the Florida panhandle and southern Georgia this morning ( AM CT)
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) January 9, 2024

Panama City Beach...
— Mike's Weather Page (@tropicalupdate) January 9, 2024

Tornado damage on the east side of Marianna, Florida - some homes are missing roofs, many trees and wires down, some buildings look like this one now. This is the same storm that came ashore at Panama City. #flwx
— Bryce Shelton (@BryceShelton01) January 9, 2024

10:00 a.m. | Much of the storm/rains have passed, but now the region will be turning attention to flooding and wind risks. A high wind warning is in place for several north Georgia counties - Murray, Fannin, Gilmer, Union, Towns, Dawson, Lumpkin, White - until 1 p.m.

A wind advisory until 7 p.m. is also in place for virtually the entire metro Atlanta and north Georgia region.

.@11AliveNews Community StormTracker Jennifer Sconyers says her front and backyards look more like a lake! Flooding in Henry county. #gawx #storm11
— Melissa Nord (@MelissaNordWx) January 9, 2024

9:07 a.m. | A ground stop is in place at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport until 9:30 a.m.

The FAA places a likelihood of extension past 9:30 a.m. as less than 30%.

9:02 a.m. | Look at how conditions are progressing:

Morning Radar Update [1/9/24]
Showers are ongoing this morning with the heaviest rain occurring along and west of I-85. Flooding remains a growing concern over the next several hours. Please use caution if on the roads this morning. Turn Around, Don't Drown 🌧️#gawx
— NWS Atlanta (@NWSAtlanta) January 9, 2024

8:48 a.m. | Here's how things are looking outside the 11Alive News studios:

The tornado warning has lifted but strong winds and heavy rain blowing through the @11AliveNews studios in midtown. @11AliveTraffic #Storm11 #11alive @LizaLLucas
— Crash Clark (@CrashClark99) January 9, 2024

8:47 a.m. | And now we have a flash flood warning for Spalding, Henry, Newton and Rockdale counties until 3 p.m.

A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for Spalding, Henry, Newton, Rockdale co. until 1/09 3:00PM. Do not drive on a flooded road! #storm11 #gawx
— Melissa Nord (@MelissaNordWx) January 9, 2024

8:43 a.m. | We now have a flash flood warning for Meriwether, Pike, Coweta, Spalding and Upson counties until 2:45 p.m.

A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for Meriwether, Pike, Coweta, Spalding, Upson co. until 1/09 2:45PM. Do not drive on a flooded road! #storm11 #gawx
— Melissa Nord (@MelissaNordWx) January 9, 2024

8:42 a.m. | We'll be returning to live coverage at 8:56 a.m.

8:28 a.m. | Again: Tornado warning canceled, but very strong wind risk still in place through 8:45 a.m.:

The Tornado Warning has been canceled and a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for winds of 60 mph has been issued until 8:45. Seek shelter in an interior room and away from windows.
— Atlanta-Fulton County EMA (@AFCEMA) January 9, 2024

8:25 a.m. | The tornado warning has been allowed to expire - but a severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for much of the same zone until 8:45 a.m.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Atlanta GA, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport GA and North Atlanta GA until 8:45 AM EST
— NWS Atlanta (@NWSAtlanta) January 9, 2024

8:14 a.m. | Tornado warning issued including Atlanta, East Point and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport until 8:45 a.m. It also includes parts of DeKalb and Clayton counties.

Tornado Warning including Atlanta GA, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport GA and East Point GA until 8:45 AM EST
— NWS Atlanta (@NWSAtlanta) January 9, 2024

8:05 a.m. | Flood warning issued until 2 p.m. for Fulton County, Clayton County, DeKalb County, as well as Carroll, Coweta, Douglas, Fayette, Harris, Heard, Henry, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, Troup and Upson counties.

7:45 a.m. | You can currently re-watch our full update from a short while ago in the video player at the top of this story.

7:30 a.m. | New flood warning in effect for Big Creek potentially impacting Cumming, Alpharetta and Roswell.

More details here.

7:10 a.m. | Not in our immediate zone, but a tornado watch is in place for much of southwest Georgia until 2 p.m.

A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Alabama, Florida and Georgia until 2 PM EST
— NWS Atlanta (@NWSAtlanta) January 9, 2024

6:50 a.m. | Stick with us for continuing live coverage at 7 a.m. from 11Alive Meteorologist Chesley McNeil!

6:35 a.m. | Here's the latest outlook from 11Alive Meteorologist Chesley McNeil:

Heavy rain and gusty winds could lead to flooding and power outages. The stormy conditions will remain in place through early afternoon. Here’s the latest. #weather #gawx #11alive
— Chesley11aliveWX (@chesley11alive) January 9, 2024

6:30 a.m. | National Weather Service reports wind gusts of 35-40 mph have already been observed in parts of west-central Georgia.

Windy and dreary conditions this morning 🍃🌧️
Primary threats this morning are heavy rain rates and strong winds. Wind gusts 35 to 40 MPH have already been observed across portions of west-central GA.
Take extra caution if you are on the road this morning #gawx
— NWS Atlanta (@NWSAtlanta) January 9, 2024

4:45 a.m. | Good morning, it's nasty out there!

We're covering metro Atlanta as heavy rains are expected to pour onto the region throughout the morning.

As you can see in the radar above, the rains have already arrived and if you take a look at our hourly forecast, that's only going to continue into the later morning hours -- with wind conditions getting stronger as the morning moves on.

We’re tracking the rain and impending storms on @11AliveNews right now. @chesley11alive has you covered from the weather center, Crash Clark is monitoring the roads, @jcarnes11alive is in Thundertruck, & I’m out in the elements keeping an eye on conditions.
Be safe today.
— Christie Diez (@ChristieOnTV) January 9, 2024

Meanwhile in other parts of the state, the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center notes an increased tornado risk moving toward southwest and west central Georgia.

The risk for tornadoes has increased to our southwest over southern AL and the western FL panhandle. This area of thunderstorms and favorable tornado parameters will slide east into parts of west central GA over the next several hours. #gawx
— NWS Atlanta (@NWSAtlanta) January 9, 2024