The Brief
- Severe storms caused widespread DeKalb County storm damage, blocking Northern Avenue near I-285 and cutting power during overnight tempests.
- Severe storms caused extensive damage and flooding across North Georgia, destroying parts of Highway 52 at Hancock Drive in Gilmer County.
- Crews across North Georgia are working to clear fallen trees, assess building damage, and evaluate localized flood conditions.
ATLANTA – Severe overnight storms swept across North Georgia on Wednesday, knocking down trees, cutting power and trapping residents while torrential rain led to a road washout in Gilmer County.
Gilmer County
A powerful storm washed out a section of Highway 52 in Gilmer County, causing a major water line break and leaving a massive hole beneath the road surface.
Torrential rainfall caused a severe road collapse at the intersection of Highway 52 and Hancock Drive. Rising floodwaters washed away the road’s shoulder first before exposing a main water line underneath.
The exposed pipe broke, sending leaking water to erode giant chunks of earth directly beneath the cement. The extent of the erosion forced officials to close the road. …