Atlanta Flooding Update: Heavy Rain Shuts Down Roads In Metro Area

Heavy rain hit Atlanta Sunday afternoon in the midst of flood disasters this month in Texas and Oklahoma. Both directions of the city's busiest highway, known as the downtown connector, were temporarily closed Sunday.

The flooding was due to a water main break, a Georgia Department of Transportation 511 operator told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The Connector was reopened around 2:10 p.m. EDT. Motorists were advised to seek alternate routes.

However, rain did flood other areas of the city while flash flooding shut down roads in the metro area. Meanwhile, traffic in other areas stalled as at least three trees were reported down in the city, including one that was blocking Virginia Avenue near John Howell Park, one on Virginia Circle and one at Euclid and Moreland Avenues, the Journal-Constitution said.

The Georgia Department of Transportation said the water has receded and all lanes were open and passable. Traffic is moving at a very slow pace as drivers are experiencing delays, WAGA-TV Atlanta reported.

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) issued an alert that buses were being detoured due to a vehicle being stuck in the mud at North and Piedmont Avenues, typically a highly-trafficked intersection in the city.

Showers and scattered thunder storms are expected to develop in Atlanta by 6 p.m. EDT, the Weather Channel reported, with forecasts show a more than 50 percent chance of rain through Friday.

Enough rain fell in Texas this month to cover entire state with 8 inches of water, CNN reported. President Barack Obama declared Texas a major disaster area and ordered federal aid to help recovery efforts in parts of the state suffering from severe storms. So far more than 20 people have died. Additional funding will be made available to individuals in Harris, Hays and Van Zandt counties. Meanwhile, seven people have been confirmed dead in Oklahoma due to heavy rain and flooding.

Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms will occur over parts of Ohio and the mid-Atlantic states Sunday afternoon, with more isolated strong to severe storms extending southwest to the central Gulf Coast, the National Weather Service said. Isolated storms capable of hail and strong winds also are likely from Oregon into the northern Rockies and central High Plains.