Heavy rains from scattered thunderstorms caused flash flooding that inundated parts of downtown Atlanta Thursday afternoon. Some vehicles were disabled because of the water, such as those along Baker Street in front of the Georgia Aquarium. Illustrating the extraordinary intensity of the flooding and its consequences, according to reporting, witnesses to the flooding told FOX 5 that “several vehicles parked in a lot at Northside Drive NW and MLK JR Drive SW were actually washed away in the flash flood and ended up in the parking lot near Mercedes-Benz Stadium.”
A police division identified as a “swift water rescue team” was seen downtown to help anyone stranded. Accommodations for visitors were being made. For example, visitors inside the Georgia Aquarium building “were evacuated and given a voucher for a future visit.” Events were cancelled, including the Aqua Vino event, “which celebrates the research and conservation efforts of the aquarium.” Videos of the news reports on the flooding can be viewed here.
Reporting identifies specific attention to the aquarium as an illustrative example of the damage and inconvenience caused by the flooding. Officials at the aquarium released a statement regarding their responses to the flooding that reads, in part: “This is unrelated to the safety of our exhibits and is not affecting our animals. The water is completely weather related, and we have teams currently working on clean up.” Aquarium officials emphasized that “comp tickets to return at a later date” will be given to guests in the building. The Aquarium is expected to reopen Friday morning.
The impact on the Aquarium was not unique. Across Pemberson Place at the World of Coca-Cola, guests and staff were “evacuated for approximately 15 minutes this afternoon (Thursday) due to a brief power outage.” The evacuation procedure was described as “normal in such instances, to ensure everyone’s safety.”
