Friday Evening Update: City of Atlanta Monitoring Potential Severe Weather Ahead of Busy Event Weekend

Friday Evening Update: City of Atlanta Monitoring Potential Severe Weather Ahead of Busy Event Weekend

ATLANTA-The City of Atlanta is closely monitoring the potential for severe weather this weekend as several previously scheduled major events across the city, including the Mayor's 5K on the Runway, Atlanta Pride, SpelHouse Homecoming, Department of Parks and Rec outdoor events and other planned events are adjusting plans.

EVENING UPDATE:

The City of Atlanta convened a citywide emergency coordination meeting to assess readiness for severe weather expected Friday night through Saturday, October 10, 2026. City departments, public safety agencies, emergency management officials and utility partners confirmed operational readiness, enhanced staffing and coordinated response plans.

The primary concerns are damaging overnight winds, widespread power outages, fallen trees, heavy rainfall, localized flooding and an elevated tornado threat Saturday afternoon and evening.

The City's Joint Operations Center (JOC) will activate at 7:00 p.m. today, Friday, October 9, 2026. Departments will maintain emergency staffing and coordinate through the weekend.

Emergency Shelter

The City is activating the following locations as emergency shelters for our unhoused residents as follows beginning at 11:00 p.m. this evening:

Selena Butler Recreation Center for Women and Children ONLY, located at 98 William Holmes Borders Senior Dr. SE, Atlanta, GA 30312.

Rev. James Orange Park Recreation Center for MENONLY, located at 1305 Oakland Drive S.W., Atlanta, Georgia, 30310.

Outreach teams are being deployed to connect with individuals experiencing homelessness and provide transportation to available shelter locations.

In addition to the Mayor's 5K on the Runway held at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport postponement, the following planned weekend event known updates are as follows:

• City recreation centers | Closed Saturday |
• City golf courses | Closed Saturday |
• Youth football, cheer and recreation programming | Canceled Saturday |
• Parks movie nights | Canceled Friday and Saturday |
• Atlanta Pride Saturday activities | Canceled |
• Atlanta Pride Sunday festival and parade | Planned to proceed |
• SpelHouse homecoming tailgate | Moved to Sunday |
• Cook Park Family Fest | Canceled |
• City Climate Week outdoor kickoff events | Canceled Saturday |
• Airport race | Postponed; new date pending |

Sunday events remain subject to weather conditions and operational assessments.

Additional City of Atlanta Preparedness Measures:

Atlanta Police Department: Maintaining 12-hour shifts and enhanced staffing to address emergencies, traffic control, road closures and weekend events.

Atlanta Fire Rescue Department: Fully staffed, with additional tree-removal trucks, swift-water rescue capabilities and rapid response units available.

E-911: Maintaining 12-hour schedules, with backup dispatch arrangements and contingency procedures for tornado warnings.

Department of Corrections: Prepared to support emergency shelter operations.

Atlanta Department of Transportation: Up to 50 personnel assigned to storm response, including flood-prone roadway monitoring and barricade deployment.

Department of Watershed Management: Staffing operational positions by midnight Friday.

Department of Public Works: Prepared for debris removal, street sweeping and fuel support.

Department of Parks and Recreation: Forestry and parks maintenance crews on standby, with additional crews scheduled Sunday.

PREVIOUSLY:

AM UPDATE: The annual Mayor's 5K on the Runway held at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 2026, has been postponed due to inclement weather.

The safety of participants, volunteers, staff and event partners remains our top priority.

Additional information regarding the rescheduled race date and next steps will be communicated as soon as it becomes available.

As more information develops, the City will provide any additional updates regarding weekend events as soon as possible.

The Dickens Administration continues to coordinate with the National Weather Service, public safety agencies and event partners to assess potential impacts and ensure appropriate preparations are in place.

The Administration and the National Weather Service is also coordinating with external partners holding large-scale events to provide weather updates to inform their decisions in the coming days.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to remain weather-aware, monitor official forecasts and alerts and take appropriate precautions ahead of the weekend. Public safety remains the City's highest priority and additional information will be shared as it becomes available. Follow the City of Atlanta's social channels and sign up for NotifyATL by texting "NOTIFYATL" to 888777.

Additional tips for residents:

• Make your preparations now. Charge phones and backup batteries, secure loose items around your home, gather medications and essential supplies and make sure everyone in your household knows the plan.
• Stay weather-aware. Have more than one way to receive emergency alerts. Monitor National Weather Service updates and sign up for NotifyATL. Do not rely solely on social media for emergency information.
• Sign up for NotifyATL by by texting "NOTIFYATL" to 888-777 or visiting www.atlantaga.gov/notifyatl
• Take flooding seriously. Never drive or walk through flooded streets. You cannot always tell how deep the water is or whether the roadway underneath has been damaged. Turn around and find another route.
• Know when to get indoors. If severe weather threatens, seek shelter in a sturdy building, stay away from windows and follow emergency instructions. Outdoor events and travel plans can wait when conditions become dangerous.

PETS

Per CDC : Do not forget about your pets. Bring them inside early, keep identification on them and have leashes, carriers, food, water and medications ready if you need to move quickly. Know where you can take them if you have to leave home, and after the storm, keep them close until you know the area is safe.

• Bring pets indoors before severe weather arrives. Never leave them tied up outside during high winds or heavy rain.
• Prepare a pet emergency kit. Include several days of food, water, medications, bowls, a leash or harness, waste bags and vaccination records.
• Make sure identification is current. Check collars, ID tags and microchip contact information in case a frightened pet escapes.

About NotifyATL

Get emergency and weather alerts by signing up for NotifyATL. This system enables us to provide you with critical information quickly in a variety of situations, such as emergency conditions, severe weather, and evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods.

By signing up for NotifyATL you will automatically be enrolled to receive Emergency Alerts from the City of Atlanta. Please select the specific weather-related alerts you wish to receive, making note that you will automatically receive weather alerts for potential life-threatening weather conditions, such as Tornado Warnings, Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, and Flash Flood Warnings.

You will receive time-sensitive messages wherever you specify, such as your home, mobile or business phones, email address, text messages and more. You pick where, you pick how.

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