As the FIFA World Cup comes to a close with the final match Sunday, Atlantans will gather for a celebration at Piedmont Park. But scattered thunderstorms have put a damper on the festivities.
After rain and lightning developed over the city just after 2:30 p.m., some began packing up and leaving the park. A red sign on the big screen alerted attendees of “lightning in the area” that led to the event being paused for less than an hour.
Atlanta and much of North Georgia are under a Level 2 risk for severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. Any storms that develop could bring damaging winds, frequent lightning and heavy rain, according to the National Weather Service.
The rain began just before the start of the final FIFA World Cup match between Argentina and Spain that is being screened at the Piedmont Park “Celebration of Soccer and Sound.”
After the match, Ludacris is set to perform at the park. The festival, free and open to the public, began at 11 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m.
Festival organizers say on the website that in the event of severe weather, they will coordinate with public safety officials to determine whether to “pause programming, evacuate the park, or end the festival early.”
Attendees should “listen for announcements from the stage or your nearest law enforcement professional, and watch the viewing screens for breaking news.”
— Staff writer Kaitlyn Harvey contributed to this report.
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