While most of metro Atlanta experienced overcast skies and rain Thursday, residents in Henry County had to hunker down as a tornado warning went into effect.
The National Weather Service reported a radar-confirmed tornado at 3:34 p.m. over Blacksville near McDonough. It moved northeast at about 10 mph. The warning was lifted by 3:45 p.m.
Henry Fire Rescue spokesman Capt. Craig Hutter said crews are continuing to assess damage to buildings in the area of Bethlehem Road and Academic Parkway, near I-75 and U.S. 23. He confirmed that several structures sustained varying degrees of damage, with at least one considered a total loss.
On Kempton Court, footage from Channel 2 Action News showed a home that had been destroyed by the storm. Hutter confirmed that two people were injured when the tornado flattened the structure. Henry police Deputy Chief Jason Bolton told the news station that an 18-year-old was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital in critical condition, and his father was also injured, though less seriously.
“We’re finding debris all over the place. Just phones and other things from inside the house are being located just great distances away from the home,” Bolton said.
Early damage reports also revealed uprooted trees and branches scattered across I-75, the NWS reported. Traffic along the interstate in both directions, but mostly heading south toward Locust Grove, was bumper to bumper for several hours after a tree limb temporarily blocked a southbound right lane near Blacksville, the Georgia Department of Transportation said.
A temporary shelter is open at Bethlehem Elementary School, located at 1000 Academic Parkway, for those impacted by the twister.
“Anyone that’s displaced by this, by damage, storms or inhabitability of their home, they can come and get help from the Red Cross and everything,” Hutter said about the shelter.
Atlanta, the southern metro area and parts of South Georgia are under a Level 1 out of 5 threat for severe weather until 10 p.m., the NWS said. Parts of southeast Georgia near the coast are under a Level 2 threat.
“The risk for severe weather has increased for this afternoon, primarily across SE Georgia. The main threat will be damaging winds, but a brief tornado is possible,” the NWS said.
Scattered showers are expected to start clearing around 10 p.m., Channel 2 meteorologist Ashley Kramlich said.
The storm risk increases Friday. In areas east of I-85, there will be a Level 2 out of 5 risk for severe weather. Other parts of North Georgia will be under a Level 1 threat, according to Kramlich.
Two EF1 and one EF0 tornadoes touched down in North Georgia on Sunday, WSB reported, citing the National Weather Service. Three more tornadoes — two EF0 and one EF1 — touched down Tuesday, Channel 2 reported.
» For a detailed forecast, visit AJC.com/weather.
» For updated traffic information, listen to News 95.5 and AM 750 WSB and follow @WSBTraffic on X.
» Download The Atlanta Journal-Constitution app for weather alerts on-the-go.
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