WEATHER UPDATE: Flooding, lightning primary impacts as storms sweep Atlanta

A vast storm system that spawned tornadoes across the South brought several hours of heavy rain to North Georgia on Wednesday morning, flooding interstates and making a mess of the commute.

Nearly 2 inches of rain fell at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport between the system’s arrival late Tuesday and midmorning Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. The rain was pushing off to the southeast at midday, leaving behind a few clouds in metro Atlanta.

“The clouds are going to quickly clear out by lunchtime, and it actually turns out to be a pretty nice afternoon,” Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brian Monahan said.

For several hours overnight, the heavy rain was relentless. The same system produced severe weather in Mississippi and Alabama but did not result in major damage locally. Gusty wind and lightning were the primary impacts in Atlanta, according to Monahan.

ExploreStorms cause major tornadoes, flooding around the South

In DeKalb County, a lightning strike sparked a fire at a home on Gail Drive in Brookhaven. The home’s resident was able to get out safely and call for help, DeKalb fire Capt. Jaeson Daniels said. Firefighters contained the flames to the roof of an addition, and the Red Cross was called to offer assistance, he said.

Flooding on roads was also a major concern during the morning commute as storm drains struggled to keep up with the deluge.

WATCH: BREAKING-Flooded roads and traffic delays after hours of heavy rain - https://t.co/pusYHPfy5s #Atlanta pic.twitter.com/JPMKEzeciA
— John Spink (@johnjspink) November 30, 2022

Flooding shut down all but a right shoulder on I-75 North at Moores Mill Road, where water was waist-deep early Wednesday as crews with the Georgia Department of Transportation worked to clear a clogged drain.

Credit: John Spink / John.Spink@ajc.com

Credit: John Spink / John.Spink@ajc.com

There was also standing water reported on I-20 West in DeKalb County and I-85 South in Gwinnett County. With the right lanes at Jimmy Carter Boulevard impacted, the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center was encouraging commuters to avoid I-85 and use Buford Highway as an alternate for much of the morning.

Gwinnett Co: Flooding in the right lanes on I-85/sb before Jimmy Carter Blvd (Exit 99). Already slowing the ride. Please stay off the roads! #ATLtraffic pic.twitter.com/aJnSDrQB1w
— AJC WSB Traffic (@ajcwsbtraffic) November 30, 2022

Isaac Brown’s commute through downtown Atlanta was derailed after his Honda stalled out in knee-deep water on North Avenue at State Street.

“Just my luck,” Brown said Wednesday as he waited for his car to be pulled out of the water. “Trying to rush into work, I thought I could make it through these flood waters and I stalled out.”

Once the clouds clear out, Monahan expects North Georgia to turn breezy and cooler for the afternoon. Temperatures will drop from the 60s into the 50s as the sky turns mostly sunny to finish the day, he said.

Highs will go from 63 degrees Wednesday to 56 Thursday and 58 Friday, according to the latest forecast. Under a clear sky, Atlanta is likely to drop into the low 30s overnight.

Another chance of showers is in the forecast for the weekend, according to Channel 2.