Severe storms swept across northwest Georgia and metro Atlanta late Saturday, March 15, 2025, causing widespread damage and sparking multiple tornado warnings. The weather system brought with it powerful winds, rain, and lightning, leading to emergency responses as damage reports flooded in.
Among the hardest-hit areas was Paulding County, where authorities suspect a tornado touched down. Extensive damage has been reported, especially on Villa Rica Highway, where trees and power lines fell, causing significant disruptions. Many residents found themselves without power due to these outages, with Georgia Power reporting 663 customers affected by early Sunday, March 16, 2025.
During the storm's peak, Paulding County was under both severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings, prompting local officials to issue alerts to residents. "Crews are responding to significant damage across the area," remarked the Paulding County Sheriff, who noted the presence of minor injuries but emphasized the need for caution with numerous downed power lines.
The storm began to escalate around 10:58 p.m. Saturday, as forecasts predicted the onset of severe weather. The first wave of storm activity moved through Northwest Georgia around 8 p.m., reaching metro Atlanta just after 11 p.m. The area faced particularly intense conditions throughout the night, with tornado watches issued across multiple counties including Fulton, Clayton, Rockdale, Henry, and Cherokee.
By early Sunday morning, significant weather activity had subsided, with the National Weather Service predicting clearer conditions by 8 a.m. Reports emerged of rainfall nearing 4 inches, with Paulding County measuring 3.4 inches and Carroll County recording 4.1 inches. These high levels of precipitation combined with powerful winds led to flooding and obstructed roads across the region.
Scenes of damage have surfaced online, showcasing overturned gas station awnings and collapsed roofs. One such incident occurred on Ivy Trace Lane outside Dallas, where winds reportedly caused the roof of one home to collapse. Fortunately, no one was inside at the time, but the damage left the structure compromised.
Local meteorologists were on hand to document and report damage live as it unfolded. Melissa Nord at 11Alive shared details on various fallen trees across the county, including one on Indian Hills Drive where three residents were reportedly trapped. Fortunately, rescue operations were able to free those individuals.
Additional damage was reported on Dandy Road, where one person was injured when another tree fell on their home. The storm wreaked havoc on numerous properties throughout the area, with multiple reports indicating houses visibly compromised due to falling trees.
The city of Atlanta itself reported no significant damage or injuries, though downed trees and power lines were widespread across different neighborhoods. Areas near N Pelham Road and E Rock Springs Road saw tree falls, disrupting traffic and access.
Recovery efforts began as emergency services responded to various reports of damaged property. Roads remained closed due to debris and fallen trees, including important access routes like Riverwood Drive at East Paulding Drive and Villa Rica Highway at Winndale Road. Transportation officials advised against travel due to hazardous conditions.
Further south, Troup County also faced substantial damage with numerous trees reported down, including one on Boulevard Street, which involved additional emergency response efforts. The Troup County Sheriff’s Office issued warnings about the risks of driving until conditions improved.
Crews across several counties, including Cobb and Cherokee, were actively working to clear roads blocked by fallen trees and power lines. The general public was urged to stay indoors until the system passed, with forecasters projecting hazardous weather conditions until early Sunday.
By early afternoon on March 16, surveys by the National Weather Service were expected to determine the full extent of any tornado touchdowns. Reports indicate multiple areas sustained significant damage, with local authorities preparing for intensive recovery efforts as they sift through the detailed reports from residents.
Local residents began to assess the damage as daylight emerged. Crews were deployed for power restoration efforts and infrastructural assessments as impacts from the storm were tallied up. Trees were down across every impacted county, with some communities anticipating delays as recovery teams focused on the most severely affected locations.
Emergency services reiterated the importance of caution amid numerous roads remaining barricaded from damage. Officials reassured the public of their commitment to restoring order and safety following the storm.
According to forecasts, more rain may threaten the weekend as the storm system slowly dissipates, but there are hopes for seasonal clear weather as the air pressure rises.