Storm knocks out power to 25,000 in metro area

By TOM OPYDKE The Atlanta Journal-Constitution About 25,000 Georgia Power customers were without electricity as the result of a severe thunderstorm that rumbled through metro Atlanta on Thursday afternoon. The Smyrna area in Cobb County was hardest hit, with about 11,700 Georgia Power customers without service, according to a spokeswoman for the utility. Atlanta fire officials reported a tree falling on two houses on Adelle Street and a fire in a church steeple at Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard and McDaniel Street. About 6,700 utility customers lost power on Atlanta's east side and into DeKalb County, with about 1,600 directly north of the city and another 1,500 in Duluth going out, the Georgia Power spokeswoman said. A severe thunderstorm watch remained in effect for all of North Georgia, including metro Atlanta, through 5... [read full story]