Flash floods strand vehicles and suspend Waymo robotaxi operations in Atlanta, Georgia
Flash floods struck Atlanta, Georgia, on May 20, stranding multiple vehicles along the downtown connector and forcing Waymo to suspend autonomous vehicle operations after two driverless cars drove into flooded streets.
Vehicles stranded due to flooding on Downtown Connector (I-75 I-85). Credit: GDOT
Flash floods struck Atlanta, Georgia, on May 20, stranding multiple vehicles along the downtown connector, a section of I-75/I-85.
The rainfall came after a long dry spell, allowing floodwater to accumulate dust, dry leaves, and other debris that clogged drains in parts of Atlanta, including the area around the connector. The flooding blocked all lanes of the connector at JW Dobbs Avenue, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation.
Local reports indicated that 75 to 130 mm (3 to 5 inches) of rain fell within the first few hours. Flash Flood Warnings were in effect for much of Atlanta from 18:00 to 23:00 local time (LT).
“The administration is aware of flooding occurring across parts of the city as a result of heavy rainfall and changing weather conditions. City teams are actively monitoring conditions, responding to affected areas, and coordinating across departments to address roadway hazards, drainage concerns, and any public safety needs,” the city government of Atlanta said in a statement.
“Residents are encouraged to avoid driving through standing water, use caution while traveling, and report non-emergency issues through ATL311. In the event of an emergency, residents should call 911,” the statement added.
A woman was rescued by a passing couple after becoming stranded on top of her car in the connector. Meanwhile, at least two Waymo driverless cars drove into flooded streets.
The first incident was reported on the North Avenue Corridor, where local fire officials found two unoccupied vehicles in a flooded street, including one driverless Waymo vehicle.
In another incident, a Waymo vehicle occupied by an AJC journalist drove into and became stuck in flooded streets multiple times, with the flood line reaching halfway up the door after the floodwaters receded.
Waymo temporarily suspended all operations in Atlanta. This came after the company suspended operations in San Antonio in April after an unoccupied vehicle drove into a flooded lane and was swept into a creek on April 20.
Last week, the company recalled 3 791 vehicles to fix a software issue that was causing the cars to drive into flooded roads.
References:
1 Statement on Weather-related Traffic Conditions – City of Atlanta – May 20, 2026
2 A journalist in Waymo gets stuck in the Atlanta flood – 11 Alive– May 21, 2026
3 Waymo Suspends Service in Atlanta as Robotaxis Stumped by Floods – Claims Journal – May 22, 2026
Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.
Published in the last 24 hours
- In September 1859, a solar storm lit up the night sky so brightly that gold miners in the Rocky Mountains woke up after midnight and started cooking breakfast, convinced the aurora glowing over their camp was the sunrise Epicenter
- A patch of warm Pacific water that could become the strongest El Niño in more than 70 years sits thousands of miles from any American town, yet it is already the main reason NOAA expects a wetter winter across the South and a milder one across the North
- A 19-year-old Nebraska teacher reportedly tied her pupils together with twine and led them to safety through a blizzard in January 1888 Epicenter
- NASA built the Opportunity rover to last 90 days on Mars, and Martian winds helped keep it alive for nearly 15 years by blowing dust off its solar panels, until a planet-wide dust storm in 2018 blocked sunlight and silenced the rover Epicenter
