Evacuation Guide

Atlanta, Georgia Evacuation Routes

Plan your escape with optimized routes and safe zones

Threat Assessment

Tornado

Metro Atlanta is in the southeastern tornado corridor. EF2+ tornadoes have struck downtown (2008, 2024). Peak season March-May.

Ice Storm

January 2026 ice storm is an active threat. Atlanta's hilly terrain and limited road treatment infrastructure make ice events catastrophic. 2014 'Snowmageddon' stranded thousands on highways.

Severe Weather

Frequent severe thunderstorms with damaging winds, large hail, and flash flooding. Year-round threat with peak in spring/summer.

Flood

Flash flooding along Chattahoochee River, Peachtree Creek, and Proctor Creek during heavy rain events. Urban flooding due to impervious surfaces.

Evacuation Routes

I-75 North to Chattanooga

primary

Primary northern evacuation corridor via I-75. Major interstate with multiple service areas leading to Chattanooga, TN.

118 miles to Chattanooga2 hours (normal), 5-7 hours (evacuation)

I-75/I-85 merge through downtown is extreme bottleneck

Severe congestion at I-285 interchange - consider HOV lanes

Tornado

Flood

Civil Unrest

I-85 North to Greenville, SC

secondary

Northeastern evacuation via I-85 corridor to Greenville, SC. Less congested alternative to I-75 North.

145 miles to Greenville2.5 hours (normal), 5-8 hours (evacuation)

Heavy truck traffic on I-85 corridor

GA-400 interchange congestion near Buckhead

Severe Weather

Industrial Accident

Ice Storm

I-20 East to Augusta

secondary

Eastern evacuation via I-20 toward Augusta. Relatively flat terrain with consistent services.

150 miles to Augusta2.5 hours (normal), 5-7 hours (evacuation)

I-20 is primary hurricane evacuation route from coast - may see contraflow traffic

Limited services between Madison and Augusta

Tornado

Flood

Power Grid Failure

I-20 West to Birmingham

tertiary

Western evacuation to Birmingham, AL. Interstate corridor with moderate traffic.

148 miles to Birmingham2.5 hours (normal), 5-7 hours (evacuation)

Birmingham is also in tornado alley - monitor conditions

GA/AL border area has limited services

Civil Unrest

Industrial Accident

Pandemic

GA-400 North to Dahlonega

tertiary

Northern mountain evacuation via GA-400. Access to Blue Ridge mountain communities.

65 miles to Dahlonega1.5 hours (normal), 3-4 hours (evacuation)

GA-400 toll road - carry cash for tolls

Heavy commuter traffic during weekdays

Flood

Urban Fire

Chemical Spill

Ice Storm

Atlanta BeltLine Trail

foot

On-foot evacuation via the Atlanta BeltLine multi-use trail. Connects multiple neighborhoods and parks while avoiding major road congestion.

8 miles (Eastside Trail to Westside)3-4 hours on foot

Trail is paved and accessible for wheelchairs/strollers

Carry 2+ liters of water per person

Urban Disaster

Vehicle Unavailable

Grid Down

Bridge Collapse

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Safe Zones & Rally Points

Georgia World Congress Center (Emergency Shelter)

shelter • Capacity: 10,000

Grady Memorial Hospital

hospital • Capacity: 953

Emory University Hospital

hospital • Capacity: 733

Piedmont Atlanta Hospital

hospital • Capacity: 525

Atlanta Fire Station 1

fire station

Piedmont Park Rally Point

rally point

Centennial Olympic Park

rally point

Georgia State Capitol

rally point

Hartsfield-Jackson Airport (Emergency Staging)

resource

Grant Park

rally point

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta - Egleston

hospital • Capacity: 328

Atlanta Community Food Bank

resource

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