Flash flooding on September 12, 2026, forced the closure of the Interstate 285 westbound ramp to Interstate 85 southbound near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to impose a ground stop initially from 4:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Rainfall totals ranged from 1.5 to 2.5 inches across Clayton, DeKalb, and Fulton counties by 4:34 p.m., with localized amounts between 2.5 and 4 inches near Interstate 20 and Villa Rica Highway by 4:38 p.m. The National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings for multiple metro Atlanta counties including Clayton, DeKalb, Fulton, Carroll, Douglas, Haralson, and Paulding counties
effective until 10:30 p.m.
Following the initial ground stop, the FAA implemented a ground delay program at Hartsfield-Jackson that lasted through 9:59 p.m. Average arrival delays reached 107 minutes, with some flights delayed as long as 271 minutes. Departures during the FAA ground stop faced average delays of approximately 45 minutes. The ground stop affected flights controlled by ten major air traffic centers spanning the eastern, central, and southern United States.
Hartsfield-Jackson is the world’s busiest passenger airport, handling 106.3 million travelers in 2025 within its 4,700-acre footprint. In 2025, it offered 63.1 million scheduled flight seats, the highest global
capacity surpassing Dubai International Airport.
The flooding was driven by slow-moving thunderstorms augmented by extreme moisture and heat index values between the upper 90s and low 100s Fahrenheit. These conditions caused heavy rainfall over the same areas for extended periods, resulting in standing water that closed key transportation routes including the I-285 westbound-to-I-85 southbound ramp and GA 400 near Northridge Road in Sandy Springs. Additional flood-covered roadways appeared at Courtney Drive near Finley Drive in Clayton County.
The flood-induced closures and FAA flight restrictions caused significant operational disruptions. Flight delays approached two hours post ground stop. Road closures and flooded
interchanges impacted traffic flow and airport accessibility in the metro Atlanta area. Flash flood warnings remained active until late evening across multiple counties, affecting travelers and commuters around Hartsfield-Jackson.
