Atlanta, GeorgiaOn Tuesday night, a violent round of severe storms slammed across metro Atlanta, causing significant damage throughout the area with its heavy rain, strong winds, and hazardous conditions.
Smyrna Home Severely Damaged by Falling Tree
As storms grew worse, a huge tree in Smyrna smashed into a house on Ivy Spring Drive. The tree ripped through the house, damaging portions of the roof, leveling the fence, and puncturing exterior walls, but the homeowner, who was seated on her living room couch at the time, escaped unharmed. The collision also shattered a window upstairs.
Tree Risks Rising in Georgia s Climate
Georgia’s clay soil allows tree roots to grow outward rather than deeply into the ground, according to local contractor Livinus Elias, who came to board up the damage. Because of this, trees are more likely to topple over in strong winds.
Elias cautioned that having trees near your home is quite dangerous. Because of the abundance of clay in Georgia, trees don’t bury themselves deeply in the ground. Trouble begins as soon as the storm arrives.
Older trees are particularly at risk, he continued, because water damage and decay can erode them without homeowners even being aware of the threat.
Flooded Roads Create Traffic Hazards
Additionally, the rains triggered flash flooding on Chattahoochee Avenue near Howell Mill Road, causing roadways to flood and traffic to halt. A few cars were left almost completely submerged in the water.
The Smyrna event resulted in no injuries despite the damage.
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