The severe storms of Sunday night for parts of the state did result in at least one confirmed tornado. The National Weather Service says a twister did touch down for a few seconds in a Cherokee County neighborhood. That’s all it took for more than 100 homes to sustain some level of damage, and 12 to be completely destroyed. Officials say the tornado was a half-mile wide and left a destructive path over a mile long. Reported twisters in north Georgia’s Cobb County, and west Georgia’s Muscogee County have not been confirmed.
Showing posts with label tornado. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tornado. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
Sirens Herad in Cartersville
From John Sepulvado: Sirens just blared throughout Cartersville a few minutes ago as dark clouds moved into the area. We'll update ASAP on whether those were, in fact, tornado sirens.
UPDATE: Locals say they were sirens, no word yet from local officials. The thunder sounds like the sky is breaking.
UPDATE 2: In Floyd, tornado warning in effect with reported funnel cloud in Menlo.
Here's some of the reports.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Red Cross Seing Dip in Donations
President Barack Obama declared March as Red Cross month. But Georgians struggling to make ends meet are finding it harder to donate to the organization.
March typically heralds the beginning of tornado season in Georgia. It’s a time when the Red Cross would normally gear up for disasters with blood and blankets, medical and moral aid and relief.
Like they did last month when twisters mauled areas in southern Georgia.
But Mari Wright of the Red Cross’s Albany branch says donations in her area have slowed to a trickle:
"Many of our regular contributors, that would, say, donate a hundred dollars, are now giving us $25 dollars. People that were giving us $25 dollars or less… can’t give us anything… so we are probably at 85 – maybe 90 percent down, and that’s a considerable amount. It truly is."Wright won’t reveal how much money 85 percent is, but it was considerable enough to almost shut down operations a few weeks ago.
That was until the United Way, local businesses and individual donors came through at the last minute with cash.
Red Cross officials in more urban areas, like Mitzi Oxford, who heads the West Central Georgia chapter in Columbus, say a larger donor base and funding from the national office helps - to an extent.
She says, however, that smaller donors - the mainstay of their fundraising - have cut back by some 60 percent. She gives the scenario of an average couple mulling expenses at the kitchen table:
"…and they’re saying, 'are we going to pay for our medicine this month, or are we going to eat?' Those people who might have sent a five dollar donation last month, this month may send a dollar or nothing – because they can’t afford to."Not that larger donors aren’t hurting either, she adds:
"…so the donation that, two years ago, or after [Hurricane] Katrina, would have been a million dollars - this past year was a hundred thousand. That’s a big difference."Oxford says, however, that fewer, smaller donations don’t necessarily equal lessened services to the public.
Her office relies on dozens of experienced volunteers to help carry the load – even as that workload gets a little heavier.
Oxford says the Red Cross is focusing on getting potential donors to their websites, to make giving a donation fast and easy.
Both Wright and Oxford say that, in the same way people have come to expect that the Red Cross will always be there - they’re now asking that the public be there for them.
Click here for more GPB coverage about the Red Cross, and here for more coverage about tornadoes.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Storm Damage Estimate: $25M
Twenty-five million dollars is the early damage estimate of the violent storms that tore through Georgia earlier this week.
Governor Sonny Perdue declared a state of emergency in four Georgia counties: Hancock, Jasper, Thomas and Warren.
The storm spawned eleven tornadoes, killing one person and injuring
One insurance company has reported it expects as many as 750 claims from homeowners and businesses. 1,000 claims for damaged vehicles.
In the Hancock county town of Sparta, Johnny Frank Bakers was killed when his home was destroyed by the storm.
Governor Sonny Perdue declared a state of emergency in four Georgia counties: Hancock, Jasper, Thomas and Warren.
The storm spawned eleven tornadoes, killing one person and injuring
One insurance company has reported it expects as many as 750 claims from homeowners and businesses. 1,000 claims for damaged vehicles.
In the Hancock county town of Sparta, Johnny Frank Bakers was killed when his home was destroyed by the storm.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Americus, Albany hospitals to merge operations
Local residents examine overturned vehicle in SRH parking lot on March 2, 2007, the morning after the tornado struck. (file/Dave Bender)
Officials at Sumter Regional Hospital in Americus have decided to lease operations to Albany's Phoebe Putney Health System.
Sumter Regional was destroyed by a tornado on March 1, 2007.
Wrecking crews demolishing Sumter Regional Hospital earlier this year. The facility was severely damaged by a twister that tore through Americus on March 1, 2007. (file/Dave Bender)
Patients have been using temporary facilities nearby, and relying on other area hospitals for more comprehensive medical services since then.
Hospital officials say Phoebe Putney will add at least $25 million dollars to rebuild SRH, and will provide core primary and emergency services, according to a report in the Albany Herald newspaper.
Both hospitals are expected to finalize the agreement by the New Year.
Click here for more GPB News coverage of the tornado, and it's effect on SRH and Americus.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
UGA inspects failed alert system
The University of Georgia is trying to figure out why its emergency notification system failed. There was a 13-minute delay when the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Clarke County Aug. 26. The UGAAlert system is designed to send students and employees text messages, e-mails and automated phone calls when there is a campus-wide threat. Nearly 50,000 people are connected to the system.
(Associated Press)
(Associated Press)
Monday, August 25, 2008
Storm downs tree into Carter's Americus home
An oak tree struck the Plains home of former President Jimmy Carter as Tropical Storm Fay moved through southwest Georgia, according to a family member.
Jeff Carter, one of the former president's sons, says the tree struck the house Saturday night just above the living room. He says both his father and his mother, Rosalynn Carter, were at home at the time but neither was hurt.
The former president is scheduled to address the Democratic National Convention in Denver this evening.
Information from: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, http://www.ajc.com
(The Associated Press)
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Funds for storm-damaged county
Cherokee County residents affected by severe weather and tornadoes now are eligible to receive federal aid. The help comes from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Earlier, the Federal Emergency Management Agency turned down the county's request for aid to cover uninsured victims because it did not meet federal requirements. The tornado on May 20 caused about $3 million in uninsured damage.
FEMA to cover most of Americus hospital rebuilding
Wrecking crews demolishing Sumter Regional Hospital earlier this year. The facility was severely damaged by a twister that tore through Americus on March 1, 2007. (Dave Bender/file photo)
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)has approved 75 percent of a $7.4 million dollar bill for rebuilding Sumter Regional Hospital in Americus, ravaged by a tornado in 2007.
The $5.5 million FEMA aid will help equip several departments, including operating rooms and cardiac care.
State and local funding is expected to cover the remainder of the cost, according to a statement from the Governor's Office.
The hospital served as the primary care facility for seven counties until it was destroyed when a twister that ripped through Americus on March first of last year.
Meanwhile, patients are using temporary facilities nearby, that opened on April 1.
Two of a series of COGIM units set up in the hospital's parking lot, which serve patients in the interim, until a permanent facility is built. (Dave Bender/file photo)
Hospital officials say they hope to break ground on a permanent structure in early 2009.
Click here for more GPB News coverage of the twister's damage to SRH and Americus.
Friday, July 25, 2008
FEMA denies storm aid
The federal government has turned down Cherokee County's request for disaster aid for victims of a tornado on May 20th. The money would have gone to uninsured victims. The twister caused about $3 million in uninsured damage. FEMA said it denied the request because there was not enough uninsured damage in the county to meet federal requirements.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Confirmed Savannah tornado last week
Weather officials confirmed it was a tornado that slammed Savannah late last week. A National Weather Service forecaster says a twister cut a mile-long swath through Savannah's south side on Thursday afternoon, with winds up to 100 miles per hour. Snapped trees, downed power lines and a blown-off church steeple made up part of the damage. 31,000 homes and businesses were without power. Throughout the storm however, no injuries were reported.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Federal tornado-disaster aid approved
More than $600,000 in federal disaster aid has been approved for state residents affected by tornadoes that ripped through the state Mother’s Day weekend.
Federal officials say over 3-thousand victims of the storms have filed for various forms of assistance. The storms of May 11th and 12th killed 3 people, and caused more than 125-million dollars in damage.
Governor Sonny Perdue declared a state of emergency in 13 counties.
Friday, May 23, 2008
FEMA aid for twister-struck counties
The twister's aftermath along Eisenhower Parkway, Macon, May 12th, 2008. (Josephine Bennet)
President George W. Bush on Friday approved a Federal Disaster Declaration for the 14 counties that Governor Sonny Perdue requested aid for following the Mother's Day tornadoes and severe thunderstorms on May 11-12.
“I am grateful to President Bush and FEMA Director Paulison for their quick action in offering assistance,” Perdue said. “This Federal Disaster Declaration will broaden our capability to recover from these devastating storms.”Individual assistance is now available to disaster victims in 10 counties: Bibb, Carroll, Douglas, Emanuel, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Laurens, McIntosh, and Twiggs.
Bush also designated that Bibb, Carroll, Crawford, Emanuel, Glynn, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Laurens, McIntosh, Treutlen, Twiggs and Wilkinson counties will all be able to receive federal funds to help offset 75 percent the cost of the initial emergency response, debris removal and restoration of damaged public facilities.
Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration will also be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance, according to a statement from the Governor's Office.
Perdue made the request May 16 for a federal declaration after touring the areas and reviewing preliminary damage assessment figures.
Residents and business owners in Bibb, Carroll, Douglas, Emanuel, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Laurens, McIntosh, and Twiggs counties who sustained losses can begin applying for assistance by registering online at http://www.fema.gov/ or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.
The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (local time) Monday through Sunday.
Click here and here for more GPB News coverage of the severe weather that struck much of central Georgia on Mother's Day.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Little Damage Reported from Cherokee County Twister
Several residents in Cherokee County were stuck inside their homes after a reported tornado touched down. The suspected twister is being blamed for damaging several homes and falling trees in the Canton neighborhood, about 30 miles north of Atlanta. A spokesman for the county issued a statement late last night saying there have been no injuries in the area. However, officials also warn many roadways are blocked due to fallen debris.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Tornado damage tally rising
Investigators are still trying to decide just how much damage was caused by last weekend’s tornado in Macon. Georgia Insurance and Fire Safety Commissioner, John Oxendine took a helicopter tour of the city and calls the damage “remarkable.” Insured losses could approach 100-million dollars. Officials are still assessing damage for those without insurance to see if they qualify for federal help. However, power has been restored to most homes and all schools have reopened. Relief workers have served well over 10,000 meals and continue to help people clean up.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Seven more counties join 'state of emergency' list
Macon: a resident salvages belongings from building in the city's business district demolished by the EF2 tornado that struck early Sunday morning, May 11, 2008. (Josephine Bennet)
Governor Sonny Perdue issued an executive order on Monday declaring a state of emergency in seven additional counties affected by tornadoes that struck on Sunday.
Clayton, Crawford, Emanuel, Glynn, Jenkins, McIntosh, and Twiggs counties were added to Bibb, Carroll, Douglas, Jefferson, Johnson and Laurens, on the state of emergency list.
“We are working together to ensure response efforts reach all Georgians affected by these storms,” Perdue said. “Joint local, state and federal assessment teams will continue to determine the full scope of the damage to businesses, state facilities and residences.”The Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) activated the state’s Emergency Operations Plan and an operations center to support the affected counties on Sunday. The Special Operations Center (SOC) will monitor the situation, and operate until further notice.
Perdue toured damaged areas in middle Georgia early Monday morning.
Click here for more GPB News coverage of the aftermath of the severe weekend weather.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Tornadoes confirmed: state of emergency declared
At least five tornadoes hit west central, north central, and central Georgia early Sunday morning, according to the National Weather Service.
Tornadoes may have also touched down in Johnson, Treutlen, Fulton and Troup counties, according to reports.
Governor Sonny Perdue declared a state of emergency in Bibb, Carroll, Douglas, Jefferson, Johnson and Laurens counties Sunday evening.
"Last night's storms left trees downed, houses damaged and roads blocked across western and central Georgia," Perdue said.The step enables the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) to initiate emergency operations.
"Needed state resources are being made available to assist in the cleanup efforts, and we will continue to actively work with local officials to support them"
Damaged houses on Lake Tobesofkee. (Woody Marshall, The Macon Telegraph)
"As with all disasters, GEMA will coordinate the deployment of public safety agencies, utility companies and the volunteer community to meet the needs of our citizens," GEMA Director Charley English said.
An EF2 tornado packing winds of 111 to 135 mph hit Macon between 5:45 and 6 a.m. Sunday morning, local officials said.
Laurens Co. resident Tracey Clements, was killed in his mobile home by the storm, Laurens County coroner Richard Stanley said, according to Macon.com.
Clements' wife and children sustained varying degrees of injuries when the winds flipped over their double-wide trailer, Stanley said.
Macon Mayor Robert Reichert said Perdue is expected to visit the area on Monday to assess the damage.
A tornado touched down at Macon State College's campus, causing significant damage, and uprooting or breaking about half the trees on campus, according to the National Weather Service.
The college will be closed on Monday.
Click here for more GPB News coverage of the twister and storm damage.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Severe Weather Warnings for Parts of Georgia (Friday)
Click & drag to move & zoom map, roll over graphics for details. Press F5 on your keyboard to update this map for the latest radar and weather information.
AT 532 PM EDT...A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUED TO MOVE ACROSS EASTERN CHEROKEE...WESTERN FORSYTH...AND EXTREME NORTHERN FULTON COUNTIES. THIS LINE HAS WEAKENED CONSIDERABLY AND IS NO LONGER DETECTED TO BE SEVERE. HEAVY RAIN...PEA-SIZED HAIL...AND WIND GUSTS TO 40 MPH ARE STILL POSSIBLE WITH THIS ACTIVITY AS IT MOVES EAST AT 35 MPH. OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO DUCKTOWN...DREW...MATT AND CUMMING. A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM EDT FRIDAY EVENING FOR NORTHERN GEORGIA.
Click here for National Weather Service weather updates for Georgia.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Disaster relief centers open
Two disaster relief centers open today to help those in Fulton and Jefferson County
The centers open fromnoon to 7 p.m. today and then operate from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. They are located at the Morris Brown College campus gymnasium in Atlanta
Storm victims can apply for disaster relief at the FEMA and state agency-run centers.
The centers open from
Storm victims can apply for disaster relief at the FEMA and state agency-run centers.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Suspected tornado victim identified
A man found dead in the rubble of a tornado-damaged building has been identified as 45-year-old Gregory Lee. Lee's body was found Saturday by workers clearing debris from a collapsed building. However experts say the cause of death has not been determined, which means it is still unknown if Lee is the first victim of the tornado that struck downtown March 14th.
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