Atlanta Prepares for Impact of Hurricane Helene Amidst Construction Concerns

The rapidly developing hurricane Helene is threatening to hit Florida and the Southeast, particularly posing risks to one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States, Atlanta, Georgia. According to the FOX Forecast Center, the city is bracing for wind gusts exceeding 50 mph, expected to commence late Thursday and possibly extend into Friday.

A number of skyscraping cranes, omnipresent in the skyline from downtown to Midtown and Buckhead, are of particular concern as they remain assembled, exposed to these extreme winds. As per the Heavy Equipment Colleges of America, these cranes are built to withstand winds of up to 100 mph, suggesting they should endure the storm provided they are properly functioning.

The National Weather Service Office in Peachtree City has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for the area. Meteorologists caution that unsecured lightweight objects could become hazardous projectiles, and some large trees might be snapped or uprooted, potentially causing damage to mobile homes.

A notable effect of the winds on the cranes will be a phenomenon known as “weathervaning.” This technique allows crane arms to rotate freely and align with the wind direction, helping reduce stress on the structures. Even though construction crews are not expected to be working during the storm, these cranes may appear active due to wind-induced movements.

Atlanta has a recent history of incidents involving cranes. In May 2023, a partial crane collapse in the Midtown area led to the evacuation of approximately 1,000 residents, injuring four workers and damaging a building under construction. Another incident followed months later when a crane-related accident caused a parking deck collapse at a Publix shopping center, resulting in injuries to a crane operator. Authorities did not attribute these incidents directly to weather conditions.