Hold onto your hats folks! Georgia just got walloped by some seriously crazy weather. Overnight storms packing a punch ripped through metro Atlanta and North Georgia and things got intense. We are talking confirmed tornado damage widespread power outages and trees down everywhere. Let's break down what happened and what you need to know.
EF-1 Tornado Tears Through Paulding County: Gas Stations Ripped Apart and Damage Everywhere
Yep you heard it right a tornado actually touched down. The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-1 tornado ripped through Paulding County specifically near Dallas early Sunday morning. This was no weak twister either. Winds maxed out between 105 and 110 miles per hour! That's some serious force.
The area around Windale Road and Villa Rica Highway took the brunt of it. Pictures are showing a Texaco gas station awning completely torn off its supports and flipped over. It is a total mess. Trees were snapped like twigs and power lines are down all over the place. Folks in Paulding County are waking up to a lot of cleanup.
Thankfully reports are saying no one was seriously hurt in Paulding County even though some people were trapped in their homes by fallen trees for a bit. Fire crews and deputies were quick to help them out though. Still Paulding County is dealing with significant damage from this tornado.
Metro Atlanta Darkened: Thousands Without Power as Storms Unleash Strong Winds and Heavy Rain
It wasn't just Paulding County getting slammed. Metro Atlanta got hit hard too. Strong winds and heavy rain from Saturday night into Sunday morning caused widespread damage across the area. The biggest issue? power outages all over the place.
Thousands of people woke up without electricity . Fulton County alone had over 600 customers in the dark. DeKalb County reported over 200 outages Paulding County had almost 500 and Coweta County was looking at over 1000 homes without power. Crews are working to get things back online but it's a big job.
Downed trees are a major problem all over metro Atlanta. They're blocking roads taking out power lines and generally causing chaos. Buckhead Collier Road Northside Drive Morningside neighborhood you name it trees are down. One video even captured lightning striking the Bank of America Plaza in downtown Atlanta – pretty wild stuff.
Storm System Spreads Devastation Beyond Georgia: Fatalities Reported Across Central and Southern US
Sadly this storm system wasn't just a Georgia problem. It was a monster that tore across a huge chunk of the country. Reports are saying at least 32 people have died as the storms moved through the central and southern United States.
Missouri was hit the worst with at least 12 deaths from scattered tornadoes. Arkansas saw three fatalities and even declared a state of emergency. Dust storms fueled by high winds caused a horrific pileup on a Kansas highway killing eight people in a 50-vehicle crash. Texas also saw deaths in car crashes during dust storms. This weather was no joke and its impact is being felt far beyond Georgia.
What's Next? Mild Weather Expected But Keep An Eye On the Forecast
Looking ahead the good news is temperatures are supposed to stay mild for most of the week maybe even above average for March. We are expecting some rain on Sunday night and Monday as another system moves through. Monday might see steady rain all day especially in southeastern parts of Georgia. North and west could see showers but St. Patrick's Day might be a bit soggy for some. Highs will be cooler in the 50s on Monday.
There's another chance of showers and cooler temperatures later in the week so keep an eye on your local forecast just in case. For now though let's hope the cleanup efforts continue smoothly and power gets restored quickly for everyone affected by these crazy storms.
Safety First: Important Reminders During Storm Cleanup
If you are in an area affected by the storms please be careful out there. Officials are urging residents to use caution especially with downed power lines and trees.
- Stay Away From Downed Power Lines: Treat all downed lines as if they are live and dangerous. Do not approach or touch them. Report them to Georgia Power or your local utility company immediately.
- Watch Out for Falling Trees and Branches: Even after the storm passes trees and branches can still be unstable and fall. Be aware of your surroundings especially when walking or driving near damaged areas.
- Generator Safety: If you are using a generator due to power outages operate it outdoors and away from windows and doors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Report Outages: If you are still without power report your outage to Georgia Power or your local provider so they know where help is needed.
- Be Patient: Crews are working hard to restore power and clear debris but it takes time especially with widespread damage. Be patient and allow them to work safely.
Your safety is the most important thing during cleanup. Take it slow and be aware of potential hazards.