Georgia Gazette Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Join host Rickey Bevington tonight for Georgia Gazette. On tonight's show… One gubernatorial candidate under scrutiny from the State Ethics Commission for past campaign contributions. Why people in Macon can rest a little easier when big storms hit. How country crooner Ronnie Milsap made his history on this day and his connection to the peach state. And can Georgia afford to keep its giant pandas? Zoo Atlanta launches a new campaign. These stories and more tonight on Georgia Gazette at 6, 7 in Athens, re-broadcast at 11, hear our show any time at www.gpb.org/georgiagazette, and download a free podcast on iTunes.

1-in-4 chance of a major hurricane strike

The 2009 Atlantic hurricane season begins today. Among those making predictions, a Savannah-based researcher says there's a one-in-four chance that Georgia could be hit by a major storm.

Chuck Watson's predictions are used by government agencies and insurance companies to prepare for loss of life and property. He says, computer models predict lower-than-normal, zero storm probabilities for June and November, but a higher-than-normal chance for October.

"If you look at this year, it looks like we're going to go into an El Nino cycle," Watson says. "But the downside is that Atlantic ocean temperatures are a bit warmer than normal."

Federal forecasters predict 14 named storms this year. Watson's predictions are month-to-month chances, based in part on statistical data by University of Central Florida researcher Mark Johnson. The pair stresses, even though some months have higher storm forecasts, storms can strike any time.

Audio: Chuck Watson describes the inevitability of a storm strike:

Powered by Podbean.com

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.

More Counties Eligible for Disaster Aid

Eight additional Georgia counties have been granted federal disaster status, making them eligible for aid to help them repair damage from storms that began in late March. Those counties include Ben Hill, Brantley, Camden, Lee, Mcintosh, Montgomery, Seminole and Tattnall counties. Applicants in Ben Hill, Camden, Montgomery and Tattnall counties will be eligible for individual assistance, which can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other disaster-related expenses. Brantley, Lee, Mcintosh and Seminole counties are eligible for public assistance, which makes federal money available to local governments and nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities.

(Associated Press)

Emergency Centers Open

Three disaster recovery centers are now open to help people in 17 Georgia counties hit by storms and flooding that started late last month. The FEMA and Georgia Emergency Management Agency centers will provide help to people who had uninsured or under-insured losses. Officials ask that people try applying online at www.disasterassistance.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362 before visiting the centers. The centers, located in Douglas, Valdosta and Nahunta, are open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

(Associated Press)

Several Georgia Counties Declared Disaster Areas

President Barack Obama has declared 18Georgia counties disaster areas following March storms. The action makes federal dollars available for people in South Georgia. In March severe storms struck the area causing tornado's, heavy rains, and eventually severe flooding.
The money can be used to help home and business owners make repairs, pay for temporary housing, and other things not covered by insurance. Some of the money will come in the form of grants, while other dollars will be available through low interest loans.
Farmers will also be eligible for help. Many were in the midst of planting when the storms hit and will have to replant their fields. The counties in the declaration area include; Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Coffee, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Echols, Lanier, Lowndes, Miller, Mitchell, Pierce, Tift, Ware, Wheeler, and Worth.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will work with residents, helping them to apply for help.

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.

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 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)

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)

South Georgia Braces For Flooding

The storms that once again brought multiple inches of rain to parts of the state have now given way to concerns over waters rising this morning. An update from Ken Davis of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency:

"What we're seeing is a continued rise in the river and creek levels, particularly across southwest, south-central, southeast, and even central Georgia."

As example this morning, flooding includes the Satilla River in Waycross, affecting residents in Pierce and Ware counties. Moderate flooding is happening now, with major flood stage for that river forecast by this afternoon. Many secondary roads are closed across south Georgia and central portions of the state. For a time last night, a section of Interstate-75 in the Cordele area had to be closed to traffic with water covering the roadway.

GEMA's Davis says there are also 20 school systems, mainly in south Georgia, closed today.

Davis says there were no reports of any tornadoes in Georgia.

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.

Thousands Still Without Power

Restoring electricity to thousands of Georgia residents is still the challenge this morning in the wake of the weekend’s winter storms that moved through.

Georgia EMC says there are still 13,000 of its customers without power. The outages are mainly concentrated in the northeast Georgia counties of Madison and Jackson. Georgia EMC crews are working to repair two sub-stations, along with a couple dozen poles damaged from the storm.

Georgia Power tells GPB this morning it is down to 1,500 customers still in the dark--all in the northeast portion of the state. It expects all power to be restored by this afternoon.

There are also a handful of county school system closings for today:

Clarke, Hart, Jackson, Madison, and Oconee counties. Elbert County schools will delay opening by a couple of hours.

Thomasville, Area Residents Take Stock in Tornadoes' Wake (photos)

Last Thursday's tornadoes caused heavy damage to a mental hospital and two counties in southwest Georgia.

Red dots represent the tornadoes' damage track near Thomasville, Ga. Click image for larger graphic. (Courtesy: NOAA)

Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine visited and flew over areas hit by the twisters, and puts an over $10 million dollar price tag on the damage.

The tornadoes blew down two pine trees across this house off State Highway 319, south of Thomasville. Ga., in this photo taken on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009. (Photo courtesy Greg Miller)

He says he was surprised by the extent of the destruction, and adds that Thomas County sustained the greatest damage statewide:

"In Thomas and Grady County there were about 100 homes and other structures that were damaged by the two tornadoes that went through Thomas County, and there were about two dozen that were either destroyed or almost destroyed."

The storms wreaked havoc on Southwestern State mental Hospital in Thomasville. Officials, however, report no injuries.

The tornado demolished this enclosed corridor, "part of an old military barracks on the Southwestern State Hospital campus." (Photo: Teresa Williams/Thomasville Times-Enterprise)

Almost 160 patients remain hospitalized at the 420-bed center, although many have been moved to other facilities in Columbus and Milledgeville, for the interim.

Oxendine says his office hopes to meet with counterparts at the Department of Human Resources, who run Southwestern State, in coming days.

The storm's winds overturned this school bus, in the parking lot of the Brookwood school, Thomasville. Ga., in this photo taken on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009. The school sustained damage, but there were no injuries to students or staff, according to the photographer. (Photo courtesy Greg Miller)

Officials estimate the storm's effects statewide at upwards of $35 million dollars.

View Larger Map

Google street level map of Southwestern State Hospital at Thomasville, Ga.

Click here for more GPB News coverage of last week's storms.

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.

Middle Georgia Twisters

Strong storms swept through several Middle Georgia counties on Wednesday night causing widespread damage from high winds and possible tornadoes.
All across Middle Georgia there were reports of damage. Jasper, Putnam and Hancock County were the hardest hit. Eighty year-old Johnny Frank Baker of Hancock County died when his mobile home was destroyed. His daughter and grandchildren were injured. Lynda Reynolds lives in Hancock County and describes the damage.

"Just debris everywhere. There was a log home that was completely lifted off of the foundation and set back down with trees on top of it. Hickory Grove Church was completely destroyed."

The storm also caused a suspected tornado in Eatonton. Putnam County Sheriff Howards Sills says it completely destroyed a bar called, "Robert Parham's Place," with four people inside.

"Mr. Parham himself was in there. He got down beneath the bar and everything else is gone, but I guess that protected him. The other two people were missing for a short period of time but we found them pretty quick."

The line of storms also destroyed several buildings in Jasper County.

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.

Good news for Lake Hartwell

Rains in December were a big bonus to Lake Hartwell in east Georgia. Its level is up nearly four feet from the recent low. Because of that, the Army Corps of Engineers says it probably won’t have to release any water from Hartwell for at least three weeks to help feed downstream needs. And more good news is ahead--forecasters say at least two storms could positively affect the area around the lake in the next week. Lake Hartwell is shared by both Georgia and South Carolina.

Drought expected to hold firm

Experts say there is no end in sight for Georgia's drought. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers predicts continued below-normal rainfall in parts of the Alabama-Coosa-Tallapoosa and Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River basins. The Corps says the lower portions of the basins have benefited the most from this year's storm season. But the northern reservoirs of the basins did not receive the same benefits from these storms, and conditions haven't improved in North Georgia.

(Associated Press)

Lanier at record lowest seasonal level

Lake Lanier. Click on the map for a full-sized image. (Courtesy U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

Hurricane Ike and other recent storms that've swept the region didn't leave as much water behind in Lake Lanier as water officials had hoped. In fact, it's the lowest Lanier has even been for this time of year.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials says that while tropical storm Fay did bring up the level to just over 1055 feet, that's still 17 feet below normal full pool - 1,071 feet.

In addition, officials say they’re expecting a dry winter.

Click here for more GPB News ongoing drought coverage.