1 Killed, 5 Injured In Atlanta-Area Storms

GEORGIA — A young Atlanta girl was killed, and at least five people were injured, during weekend storms that appeared to also have spawned a tornado in Georgia.

The severe storms began Friday and continued through Sunday.

A’erica Shukai Dixon, 10, was killed Saturday due to a fallen tree in the Mozley Park community, according to People magazine. Dixon, from Atlanta, was identified in a GoFundMe established by her family to raise funeral expenses.

She died at her home in the 1400 block of Mims Street SW, Atlanta News First reported.

Dixon was asleep in bed with her grandmother around 3:30 a.m. when a tree came down on their home, where Dixon lived with her mom and three siblings, according to the GoFundMe organizers. The grandmother suffered a broken pelvis and was paralyzed in one leg, according to organizers.

"Tink (Dixon) was a very happy child who was a cheerleader. She loved dancing and making TikTok videos and playing with her toys," organizers wrote.

Her mother and grandmother were in stable condition at a hospital, the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department told People.

Dixon was a fourth-grader at KIPP Ways Academy, Atlanta News First reported.

“The house just started shaking," her sister, Akiylah, told Atlanta News First. "Everything just crashed, and I just see my mama running through the hallway to get to my grandma. I broke down really bad, because that wasn’t just my little sister. That was my best friend.”

Gov. Brian Kemp took to X to request prayers for Dixon's family.

The day before, around 1 p.m. Friday, four people were injured after a roof collapsed during a storm that brought wind and hail to Technology Drive in Alpharetta, according to the Forsyth County Fire Department.

Fire officials said people were in the building at the time, but all staff members were able to escape when crews arrived. Four employees suffered minor injuries and had to be evaluated at Northside Forsyth Hospital, fire officials said.

The collapse caused flooding and significant damage to the structure, fire officials said, adding hazardous materials were not released.

Alerts sounded off across Georgia during the bad weather, with multiple tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings notifying residents.

Fox 5 Atlanta's Alex Forbes shared viewer video of a suspected tornado touching down Friday night in Gainesville. It was not immediately known if anyone was injured.

The Atlanta Braves' bout with the Los Angeles Dodgers Saturday neared getting rained out, but officials instead announced a delay in game. The Dodgers ultimately defeated the Braves 10-3.

More stormy weather is in store for Georgia this week.

The National Weather Service on Sunday warned of localized flooding and heavy rainfall with this week's storms.

The NWS predicted the showers to begin after 2 a.m. Wednesday, and by early Thursday morning, the showers could become thunderstorms in metro Atlanta.

Rainfall is expected to then drop into the metro daily through at least Sunday.

Here is the National Weather Service's detailed forecast for metro Atlanta:

Today: Sunny, with a high near 72. West wind 5-10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 52. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 78. Light west wind increasing to 5-10 mph in the morning.

Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Wednesday: Showers likely, mainly between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. North wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Wednesday Night: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 a.m., then a chance of showers between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

Thursday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2am, then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Friday: Showers likely, mainly after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Friday Night: Showers likely, mainly before 8 p.m.. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 73.

Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 55.

Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.