Severe Weather Causes Nearly 500 Flight Cancellations at Atlanta Airport

Nearly 500 flights to and from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport have been canceled due to severe weather affecting the Atlanta metropolitan area. On Friday night, a persistent cluster of storms brought torrential rainfall, as reported by the National Weather Service field office in Atlanta. This heavy rainfall led to significant flash flooding around the airport and in areas such as Grant Park, College Park, and Forest Park. Social media captured the chaos at the airport, with videos showing frustrated travelers seated on the floor amid delays and cancellations, while others attempted to sleep on the premises.

Another video shared on X showcased lightning illuminating the sky over Hampton, a suburb located south of Atlanta. Thunderstorms are expected to persist through the weekend, particularly during the afternoons and evenings, according to the National Weather Service. As of 4 p.m. on Saturday, there were 478 canceled flights and 617 delays recorded at Atlanta’s airport, with numerous flights operated by Delta Air Lines, headquartered there. In a statement, Delta acknowledged the impact of thunderstorms, lightning, hail, and winds on their operations, emphasizing their commitment to recovering affected flights and thanking customers for their patience and understanding.

The intense storms resulted in over 90 diversions to alternative airports across the Southeast, with operations at Atlanta Airport briefly paused for safety reasons on Friday night. The Federal Aviation Administration issued an evacuation of the airport’s control tower due to strong winds, although some controllers remained on-site to manage incoming aircraft. Delta Airlines anticipates further delays and cancellations on Saturday as crews work to reset aircraft and allow crew members adequate rest. With over 900 daily flights scheduled from Atlanta, the airline’s recovery efforts remain ongoing.