Storms slam metro Atlanta

Metro Atlanta

Storms slam metro Atlanta

Storms slam metro Atlanta

The Kirkstone subdivision in Buford was hit by a tornado in 2010. No injuries occurred in the neighborhood, but numerous homes were badly damaged.

The National Weather Service on Wednesday confirmed that the storm that tore apart a Buford subdivision Tuesday was a tornado. Jennifer Leroy, who lives on Bancroft Way, surveys the damage.

Inspections were underway in the attic of 2502 Bancroft Way as well as other damaged homes on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010. National Weather Service scientist Steven Nelson, who visited the scene Wednesday morning, categorized the tornado as an E2, with winds of 130 mph.

State Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John Oxendine surveys the damage Wednesday. His initial damage estimate is $5 million in the Buford area, "but that could go up.," he said. About 15 to 20 homes were left uninhabitable by the storm.

Matthew Lee walks away from his flattened home at 2483 Bancroft Way in Buford with dog, Kirin, discovered inside the house on Wednesday.

Neighbors Mike McGuire (back to camera) and Marion Viar embraced in the middle of Bancroft Way in Buford Wednesday after both their homes were damaged.

The devastating winds damaged 56 homes.

A officer checks on damaged homes in the Kirkstone subdivision in Gwinnett County off Gravel Springs road East of I-85 in Buford on Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010.

The side of one home was ripped away during what witnesses say was a tornado.

On Tuesday, as the storm hit, a Gwinnett County police officer urged neighbors to stay inside their cars in the Kirkstone subdivision in off Gravel Springs road East of I-85.

Gwinnett Officer A. Silva checks on a damaged home in the Kirkstone subdivision off Gravel Springs Road, east of I-85 in Buford.

Andrea McKnight and her children, Austin, 8, and his sister, Madison, 5,leave their damaged home in the Kirkstone subdivision.

Officers check on other damaged homes in the Kirkstone subdivision.

Electricity was off in the area, and a gas leak forced firefighters to urge residents to go elsewhere.

In Buford, Mike Croker said he heard two very loud lightning strikes and then the house began rattling and shaking.

A Gwinnett County police officer (left) helps Shane Myers (center) and his dogs as Myers is evacuated from his damaged home.

Edwin Pelliccia checks out damages on his home while he waits for insurance agents to come in the Kirkstone subdivision.

A Gwinnett County fire crew rush to check on damaged homes.

An officer checks on damaged homes.

Storm damage in north Georgia.

Storm damage in north Georgia.

Storm damage in north Georgia.

A crew works on the ramp to I-285 at Spaghetti Junction, where lanes around the area closed due to heavy rain.

Traffic was rerouted away from the flooding.

Atlanta Police block the entrance to the tunnel on the Spring Techwood Connector that exits on Centennial Park Drive.

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The Kirkstone subdivision in Buford was hit by a tornado in 2010. No injuries occurred in the neighborhood, but numerous homes were badly damaged.

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