Metro Atlanta residents are waking up to soggy weather, viral wildlife sightings, and some surprisingly good traffic news. Here are today’s 3 Things You Need To Know.
Heavy rain caused major headaches for travelers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. A ground stop was issued Monday evening and lasted until around 6:30 p.m., followed by ground delays averaging nearly 50 minutes per flight through the night. The delays marked the third straight day of weather-related disruptions at the airport. More rain is expected throughout the week, with flood watches continuing across parts of North Georgia. Travelers are encouraged to check flight statuses before heading to the airport.
Meanwhile, a black bear spotted running through a Marietta apartment complex has gone viral online. Video circulating on social media shows the bear wandering through the property as stunned residents watched from a distance. Wildlife officials say bear sightings become more common this time of year as animals search for food and travel farther from wooded areas. Experts continue reminding residents not to feed bears or leave food sources outside, as that can encourage them to return to neighborhoods.
And finally, Atlanta did not land at the top of a new list ranking the nation’s worst traffic congestion — and locals may count that as a win. A recent report ranked Atlanta eighth in the United States for traffic congestion. While commuters still spend plenty of time stuck on crowded interstates, Atlanta was one of only two metro areas in the top 10 averaging less than five hours of weekday congestion. Cities including Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and New York ranked higher on the list for gridlock.
