Sachin Walls
Hurricane Ian, which made landfall on the west coast of Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, is expected to impact Atlanta, Georgia. The storm is projected to cause heavy rain and strong wind gusts in North Georgia, with potential power outages. While Atlanta's forecast initially showed dry weather, the city will likely experience downpours and strong wind gusts as the storm moves up the East Coast. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which services a significant number of flights to and from Florida, has experienced flight delays and cancellations due to the hurricane. Gov. Brian Kemp has declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard to assist residents in preparation for and recovery from the storm.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hurricane Ian's path | Hurricane Ian is projected to move east across Florida on Thursday before turning back west off the coast of Georgia. It is expected to make a second landfall on Friday somewhere between Georgia and South Carolina as a tropical storm with near-hurricane strength. |
| Impact on Atlanta Airport | Between 85 and 95 flights travel between Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Tampa each day, totaling more than 650 flights each week. About 10 flights fly between Orlando and Atlanta daily. Hurricane Ian is expected to cause flight delays and cancellations at Atlanta Airport. |
| Atlanta's response | Governor Kemp has declared a state of emergency for all 159 counties, with up to 500 troops from the Georgia National Guard to help residents prepare for and recover from the storm. The declaration started at 7 a.m. on Wednesday and ends at midnight on October 28. |
| Atlanta's forecast | Atlanta is expected to experience gusty winds, heavy rainfall, and cooler temperatures beginning Friday afternoon and extending through early Sunday. Wind gusts of up to 45 mph are possible, and power outages are likely. The rain is expected to taper off by Saturday afternoon. |
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What You'll Learn
Flight cancellations and delays
Hurricane Ian made landfall on the west coast of Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, threatening catastrophic winds, flooding, and storm surges. While the storm's impact on Atlanta was initially uncertain, it was expected to weaken to a tropical storm by the time it reached South Georgia. However, it was still predicted to cause significant disruptions, including flight cancellations and delays at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
In anticipation of Hurricane Ian, airlines canceled hundreds of flights to and from Florida airports, including those serving Atlanta. Delta Air Lines, one of the major airlines operating between Atlanta and Florida, proactively issued travel waivers for customers traveling to and from Florida airports through September 30, with fare differences waived for rebooked travel before October 3.
The storm's impact on Atlanta's airport was significant due to the high volume of air traffic between Atlanta and Florida. Between 85 and 95 flights typically travel between Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Tampa each day, accounting for nearly a third of Tampa Airport's traffic. Additionally, about 10 daily flights connect Orlando and Atlanta. With Orlando International Airport closing due to the hurricane, these flights were also affected.
As Hurricane Ian approached, travelers from Florida flocked to Atlanta's airport to escape the storm's path. Many had to cut their vacations short, driving long hours to reach Atlanta and catch flights out of the storm's reach. This surge in demand for flights out of Florida likely contributed to the flight delays and cancellations experienced at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
While Atlanta itself did not experience the brunt of the hurricane's force, the city did not go unscathed. East Georgia, including Atlanta, felt the impacts of Ian's remnants, with heavy rain, strong wind gusts, and power outages. These weather conditions likely contributed to ongoing flight disruptions at the airport, even as the storm moved up the East Coast.
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Evacuees travelling through Atlanta
A state of emergency has been declared for all 159 counties in Georgia, with Governor Kemp activating emergency operations and up to 500 troops from the Georgia National Guard to help residents prepare for and recover from the storm.
While Atlanta will not be directly in the path of the hurricane, it will experience heavy rain and strong wind gusts from Friday through early Sunday morning. Evacuees travelling through the city can expect a projected high of 74 degrees Fahrenheit on Wednesday, with cooler temperatures on Thursday as the city braces for Ian's rain bands. Monahan, a meteorologist, expects rain chances to increase beginning Friday afternoon, with heavy rain moving into North Georgia. Power outages are likely, and East Georgia will see the most impact from Ian's remnants.
Airlines such as Delta have announced travel waivers for those travelling along the hurricane's path, waiving fare differences for customers who rebook their travel before October 3.
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Airport closures
Hurricane Ian made landfall on the west coast of Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, threatening a storm surge, catastrophic winds, and flooding in the Florida Peninsula. The storm is expected to make a second landfall between Georgia and South Carolina as a tropical storm with near-hurricane strength.
In preparation for Hurricane Ian, the Governor of Georgia, Brian Kemp, declared a state of emergency for all 159 counties, with up to 500 troops from the Georgia National Guard deployed to assist residents. The declaration started on Wednesday at 7 a.m. and ended on October 28 at midnight.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which services between 85 and 95 flights to and from Tampa each day, expected flight delays and cancellations as Hurricane Ian approached Florida. Orlando International Airport closed on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m., affecting about 10 daily flights between Orlando and Atlanta. Delta Air Lines proactively issued travel waivers for travel to and from Florida airports through September 30, with other airlines following suit. St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport also closed on Tuesday at 1 p.m., with Pinellas County residents ordered to evacuate.
The closures and waivers aimed to help residents and travellers escape the path of the hurricane. The dangerous nature of Hurricane Ian, with its high winds and potential for flooding, made it essential for airports to close temporarily to ensure the safety of all individuals. These closures also allowed for damage assessments and coordination with partners to ensure safe operations upon reopening.
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Power outages
In the case of Hurricane Ian, wind gusts of up to 45 mph were expected in Atlanta, and power outages were deemed likely. East Georgia was predicted to experience the most significant impacts of the hurricane, with the potential for gusty winds and heavy rainfall.
To prepare for power outages, it is essential to have emergency supplies on hand, such as flashlights, batteries, non-perishable food, and portable phone chargers. It is also recommended to keep generators inspected and fuelled.
Once the severe weather has passed, individuals can take steps to prepare for future power outages. This includes replenishing any emergency supplies that were used and ensuring that generators are ready for future use.
Additionally, it is important to alert utility companies as soon as the power goes out. This enables them to deploy crews to restore power as quickly as possible, even as severe weather may still be ongoing in some areas.
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Rain and flooding
Hurricane Ian made landfall on the west coast of Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, threatening deadly storm surges, catastrophic winds, and flooding in the Florida Peninsula. The storm is expected to cause heavy rainfall and flooding in parts of western Florida as it pushes water ashore for 36 hours.
While the storm is not expected to have a significant impact on Atlanta, some rainfall and flooding are likely to occur in the city. Atlanta is projected to experience downpours, with the heaviest rain expected on the Eastside, along with strong wind gusts. The rain is expected to begin on Friday afternoon and taper off by Saturday afternoon as the storm moves up the East Coast.
The National Weather Service in Atlanta has issued a warning for north and central Georgia, predicting gusty winds and periods of heavy rainfall from early Thursday through early Sunday. However, the impact of the storm in Georgia is expected to be less severe than in Florida, as Ian is likely to have weakened by the time it reaches the state.
The governor of Georgia, Brian Kemp, has declared a state of emergency for all 159 counties, activating up to 500 troops from the Georgia National Guard to assist residents in preparing for and recovering from the storm. This declaration started on Wednesday and will remain in effect until October 28.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, flights will be affected. Airlines have cancelled hundreds of flights and issued travel waivers for those travelling to and from Florida airports.
The Atlanta area will experience gusty winds, heavy rainfall, and possible power outages. There are no current tornado or severe weather risks.
Gov. Brian Kemp has declared a state of emergency for all 159 counties, with up to 500 troops from the Georgia National Guard to help residents prepare for and recover from the storm.
Hurricane Ian made landfall on the west coast of Florida as a Category 4 hurricane. It is expected to make a second landfall between Georgia and South Carolina as a tropical storm at near-hurricane strength.
