News
News

‘I think The Walking Dead started like this’: Twitter reacts to Atlanta airport shutdown

On Dec. 17, 2017, a power outage at the Atlanta airport was reported. Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport had to cancel all flights that Sunday afternoon. Inside, people used cellphones to illuminate dark terminals. Police evacuated the airport nearly five hours after the outage began. Some passengers reported seeing smoke in the airport when the power went out.
By Kyle Nazario
Dec 17, 2017

A power outage was reported at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport around 1 p.m. Sunday. Reports from the scene describe a swirling mass of people trying to get cellphone signals in a darkening airport.

Online, people began posting photos and video they said were taken on the scene.

There were many, many people who reported being stuck when the world’s busiest airport shut down for hours.

Other people reacted with a skepticism of Atlanta infrastructure, especially this year.

And of course, there were jokes.

For more information, check out the rest of the AJC's coverage of the power loss.

About the Author

Kyle Nazario
More Stories

Keep Reading

An aerial image shows part of John A. White Park taken on Wednesday, July 4, 2025, where the City of Atlanta plans to build new trails as part of the citywide Trails ATL plan. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Atlanta leaders eye trails as part of solution to city’s traffic woes

The 535-mile expansion plan, known as Trails ATL, aims to make the city more walkable, bringing 10-minute access to trails for 95% of city residents by 2052.

Outlawz rapper Young Noble found dead in Atlanta at age 47

Young Noble, a former member of the Outlawz rap group founded in the 1990s by Tupac Shakur, has died by apparent suicide at the age of 47, according to reports.

Outkast co-founder Big Boi says uncle was victim in June shooting death

Outkast co-founder Antwan “Big Boi” Patton says his uncle was a victim in Atlanta shooting death. Remoin Thomas Patton was killed June 16 after a driver altercation.

The Latest

The Peachtree community showed up in full force on Friday.

Credit: AJC

AJC Peachtree Road Race updates: You did it!

Atlanta leaders eye trails as part of solution to city’s traffic woes

Outlawz rapper Young Noble found dead in Atlanta at age 47

Featured

UPS driver Dan Partyka delivers an overnight package. As more people buy more goods online, the rapid and unrelenting expansion of e-commerce is causing real challenges for the Sandy-Springs based company. (Bob Andres/AJC 2022)

Credit: TNS

Amid UPS struggles, shipper makes first-ever plans to offer buyouts to drivers

UPS said in a written statement it is navigating “an unprecedented business landscape.”

Kneeling man impaled by giant straw? Towering mural leaves public mystified.

A towering mural on the side of the Connally Hotel has mystified Atlanta since 2011. Who is the kneeling man, and what's piercing him? Is it a beam of light? A drinking straw?

OPINION

I just graduated college. Will I be able to buy a house like my parents did?

A recent college grad asks: Am I going to be able to buy a home like my parents did less than 30 years ago?