Severe storms leave two dead

Blown out windows can be seen behind the rubble of a heavily damaged building in downtown Atlanta, caused by a tornado which struck the area late Friday night. (AP Photo/Phil Coale)

At least two people have died in Polk and Floyd counties from powerful storms near the state border with Alabama. The latest severe weather comes after a Tornado with winds of up to 130 miles per hour trashed downtown Atlanta last night. At least 27 people were hurt.

Governor Sonny Perdue and Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin declared a state of emergency in several areas in Atlanta.

Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine estimated damage from Friday night's storm at $150 million to $200 million, most of it at the Georgia World Congress Center, a state convention facility near the CNN Center and the Georgia Dome.

People walk away from the Omni Hotel in downtown Atlanta Saturday morning. The hotel was damaged from a tornado which struck the area late Friday night. (AP Photo/Phil Coale)

Click here for more GPB News coverage of the storm damage in downtown Atlanta Friday evening.

Click here for tornado and severe weather alerts from the National Weather Service for the Atlanta area and statewide.

(The Associated Press)

Tornado Warning Across N. Georgia (UPDATE)

---UPDATE:

THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN WALKER COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM HAS EXITED WALKER COUNTY.

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM EST FOR MURRAY...SOUTHEASTERN WHITFIELD...GORDON AND NORTHERN BARTOW COUNTIES...

AT 545 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO INDICATE A LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS UP TO 60 MPH. THESE STORMS WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM CHATSWORTH TO AUDUBON TO ADAIRSVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO ETON... REDBUD...RAMHURST...FARMVILLE...FORT MOUNTAIN STATE PARK...FOLSOM...SONORAVILLE...OAKMAN...CARTERS...RANGER...FUNKHOUSER AND FAIRMOUNT.

---

A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5:45 PM EST FOR EASTERN CHATTOOGA AND FLOYD COUNTIES...

AT 524 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO INDICATE A LINE OF TORNADO PRODUCING STORMS. THESE TORNADO PRODUCING

STORMS WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM EVERETT SPRINGS TO ARMUCHEE TO ROME...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

A ROOF WAS BLOWN OFF A HOME NEAR HOLLAND! THIS IS A DANGEROUS LINE OF STORMS.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO SHANNON AND PINSON.

Click here for detailed National Weather Service updates.

One dead in overnight storms

Authorities say one person is dead in central Georgia after severe storms cut a swath through the state, downing trees and damaging homes and businesses in multiple counties.

Lisa Janak with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency said other minor injuries have been reported after the early Sunday morning storms. Authorities have not yet identified the person who died in Dublin, which is just south of Macon.

Weather officials have not yet confirmed if any of the Georgia storms produced tornadoes.

Georgia Power officials say at least 80,000 residents are without electricity across the state, mostly concentrated in the metro Atlanta area and the Macon area.

The violent storm system that ripped through Georgia left at least 18 people dead in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri on Saturday.

Click here for more GPB News coverage of severe weather conditions statewide.

(The Associated Press)

Severe weather possible

Severe weather including tornadoes and heavy rain could hit northwest Georgia tonight. The National Weather Service says winds could range from 40 to 70 miles per hour, and that dime-to-quarter sized hail could fall. Downpours could bring 1 to 2 inches of rain. However, forecasters say as storms move through Georgia they will lose strength.

Georgia Hit By Severe Weather

Another round of severe weather moved through parts of Georgia Sunday night, leaving some damage in north and western portions of the state. Officials in Cherokee County report some damage to homes, with downed trees and power lines from high winds. In the Columbus-area, some homes there sustained what was termed "major damage" by the the National Weather Service. Forecasters have not yet determined whether any of the damage reported came from tornadoes. The storms also brought heavy downpours of rain, with a wide swath of counties reported hail.

Severe weather moving through Georgia

Radar image of affected area. Click on the image for an interactive map. (National Weather Service)

Severe storms that spawned tornadoes in Tennesee, Arkansas, and Kentucky overnight are now moving into Georgia this morning.

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for a 42-county area of the state until 2pm this afternoon. The watch-area is for people in areas of the state extending from northwest Georgia, south through the metro Atlanta area, into central and west-central Georgia.

The storms that moved through areas of the South overnight are reported to have killed 44 people.

Clikc here for updated NWS information.

Severe Storms Moving Through Georgia

Forecasters are warning Georgians to be alert for severe weather today. The National Weather Service has put the state under a high risk forecast--that means the potential exits for powerful storms, tornadoes, large hail, heavy rainfall and damaging winds. Forecasters say the greatest risk for severe thunderstorms will be west of a line from Carrollton to Warner Robins to Vidalia.

In south Georgia, several counties still trying to recover from flooding damage out of last weekend are now bracing for possible additional problems. Governor Sonny Perdue has activated the state operations center, putting multiple agencies now on standby to help where needed.

Oxendine: Over $150 million in Atlanta storm damage

Click here for the latest National Weather Service update.

People get out and survey the damage in Atlanta's Cabbage Town neighborhood. At least 27 people were hurt Friday night, though no injuries were believed to be life-threatening. (AP Photo/John Amis)

State Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine estimated damage from Friday night's storm at $150 million to $200 million.

Tens of thousands of basketball fans at two Atlanta arenas were perfectly safe, officials insisted Saturday, even though the crowds apparently weren't warned about an approaching tornado — one that would ravage skyscrapers and injure dozens.

About 18,000 people were watching the Southeastern Conference men's tournament Friday night at the Georgia Dome when its fabric roof began rippling, the catwalks above the court started swaying and chunks of insulation rained onto the players.

The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning about eight minutes before the twister hit, but it wasn't clear when or if that alert was passed on to fans, said Katy Pando, a dome spokeswoman. Fans claimed they never heard or saw one.

Another 16,000 fans watching an NBA game at Philips Arena, in the same complex as the dome, weren't told of the weather, either. The arena apparently sustained little damage, Atlanta Hawks spokesman Arthur Triche said.

Governor Sonny Perdue and Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin declared a state of emergency in several areas in Atlanta.

A sign rests atop four cars in a downtown Atlanta parking lot after a tornado touched down Friday evening, pictured Saturday March 15, 2008. (AP / Ron Williams)

The tornado, with wind up to 130 mph, cut a 6-mile path through downtown Atlanta, smashing hundreds of windows in and around the CNN Center, blowing furniture and luggage out of hotel rooms and crumbling part of an apartment building.

A cab sits in the debris in front of CNN Center in downtown Atlanta Friday, March 14, 2008.
(AP Photo/Dave Martin)

At least two people died in Polk and Floyd counties from the storms. A third is reported in critical condition.

Click here for more GPB News coverage of the storm damage in downtown Atlanta Friday evening.

Click here for tornado and severe weather alerts from the National Weather Service for the Atlanta area and statewide.

(The Associated Press)

Strong storms moving into Georgia

There is severe weather moving into Georgia this morning--counties in extreme west Georgia are under a tornado watch until 10am this morning. Strong storms are expected to move from the northwest to the southeast, bringing 1-2 inches of rain. Forecasters warn the weather could be similar to that of last week, which caused 15-million dollars of damage to over a thousand homes--Carroll County was especially hard hit. Storms should reach Macon and Athens by mid-afternoon today, and then to the coast by sunset before moving out.

Perdue asks Bush for disaster declaration

Governor Sonny Perdue on Wednesday requested that President George Bush declare Cherokee County a major disaster area.

Perdue says such a declaration will assist residents and local governments with emergency response measures and aid for losses from the severe weather and tornadoes on May 20, according to a statement from the Governor's Office:

“This is the third tornado event this spring that has disrupted the lives of our citizens and devastated one of our communities,” Perdue said.

“I am hopeful that our federal partners will recognize the extent of this damage and will render the appropriate assistance to help the residents of Cherokee County recover in the aftermath of this severe weather.”

Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) officials estimate initial governmental response and clean up efforts will exceed $2.9 million, the statement said.

Click here for more GPB News coverage of the storms and tornadoes that have repeatedly struck the state in recent weeks.

Severe storms hit; planes delayed at Hartsfield

Severe storms are sweeping across much of north Georgia, generating heavy rain, hail and winds thatdowned trees and powerlines. Flights were delayed for up to 90 minutes at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as dark gray clouds swirled in from the west. A possible tornado was reported in northwest Georgia's Chattooga County. Meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Peachtree Citywere so busy tracking the storms that they could not immediately confirm the twister. Georgia Emergency Management Agency spokesman Ken Davis says there's a report of three possible tornadoes striking in FranklinCounty, more than a 100 miles away in northeast Georgia. Heavy storms also pelted several counties south of Atlanta.

(Associated Press)

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.

Perdue asks for federal declaration aid

Gov. Sonny Perdue has asked for a presidential disaster declaration covering 33 Georgia counties struck by severe weather and floods. Perdue also issued an executive order Friday declaring a state of emergency in 17 additional counties affected by heavy rains and storms that have passed through Georgia since March 27. Previously, 16 counties were included in the governor's order because of damage to a large number of roads, bridges, drainage systems, waste treatment facilities and other infrastructure. Initial damage assessments by local, state and federal teamsalso revealed that more than 600 homes were damaged over widespread areas of the state. A presidential declaration would provide assistance to public programs in 30 counties, and individual assistance in 18.

(Associated Press)

On dead in overnight storms (updated 6PM)

View Larger Map

At least one person died after severe storms cut a swath through Georgia, downing trees and damaging homes and businesses in multiple counties.

Lisa Janak with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency said one person died in Laurens, downgrading an earlier report of two fatalities.

Authorities had reported a second fatality in Kite earlier today. The status of the second reported fatality is unclear as of this posting.

Janek said 19 counties were affected, as of Sunday at 1 PM.

Macon Mayor Robert Reichert, declared a state of emergency in the city on Sunday at 09:40, and asked residents to stay home and off the streets. He said the majority of the damage was in the southern and western areas of the city, and asked residents to avoid those areas.

"The federal government will be moving hard to help," President Bush said in response to the storm damage. "I'll be in touch with the governors and offer all of the federal assistance we can."

Click here for more on that story.

The National Weather Service reports numerous cases of damage to homes, business and other structures in several counties from overnight storms. There were many reports of downed power lines and trees, as well.

At least 80,000 residents were without electricity across the state, as of Sunday morning, mostly concentrated in the metro Atlanta area and the Macon area, according to Georgia Power officials.

(with the Associated Press)

Curfew imposed in Macon, Bibb counties

Macon and Bibb County are under a curfew as of 8 p.m. this evening until 6 a.m. Monday morning, Mayor Robert Reichert said at a press conference Sunday afternoon.

Law enforcement, medical and government administrative personnel are exempt from the curfew, and officials will allow residents to go home or to work, according to Andrew Blascovich, Reichert's director of external affairs. But Blascovich requested residents,

"...try to be cognizant of the areas that have been hard hit, and try to avoid them unless it's absolutely necessary," he said.

Reichert told reporters that the curfew was imposed to protect public safety, businesses and residences damaged by the severe weather. Authorities will decide Monday whether to extend the curfew, according to Macon.com.

Bibb County schools will be closed on Monday, according to Schools Superintendent Sharon Patterson, speaking at the press conference.

Click here for more GPB News coverage of the storms that swept through the state overnight.

Two More Counties Eligible For Disaster Assistance

Residents in another two Georgia counties are now eligible for federal assistance in the wake of severe weather that struck parts of Georgia early this spring. Baker and Early counties are now part of a group of nearly 60 state counties under a federal disaster declaration. Those with homes and businesses damaged from violent storms and flooding from late March to mid-April can apply for assistance. Residents can call 1-800-621-3362 for more information.

Record year for storm damage

State Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine says severe weather in 2008 has set a record for damage losses. He estimates Georgians have experienced more than $400 million in insured losses since January. That surpasses the previous record set in 1998. Oxendine expects the figures to climb as more losses are tallied from Tuesday night’s storms.

Statewide drought continues, could worsen

Although some parts of the state have been inundated with wet weather lately, this year's drought continues. Throughout the state, severe or extreme drought conditions persist.

Experts say there's been enough rain to make neighborhood lawns look good. But, statewide, rainfall is still below normal. In some places up to eight inches below normal, for this time of year. And, without a surplus of ground and river water, what little relief recent rains have provided, will quickly dry up as we move into August.

State climatologist David Stooksberry predicts weeks of hot, dry weather with no relief in sight for the very near future.

"What's its going to take is an extended period, and I mean many months of normal to above normal rainfall," said Stooksberry. "Unfortunately, that probably means it will be this winter before we have any chance of pulling out of the drought."

Looking ahead, Stooksberry said long range forecasts indicate a dry warm winter 2007. He said any storms Georgia does get during the winter months will do little to relieve the drought as 2008 approaches.

Tornado Confirmed For Damage In Cherokee County

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.

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.