Severe storms roared across the Deep South on Tuesday, spawning high winds and tornadoes from Mississippi to Georgia that toppled trees and powerlines, and damaged homes but left only one person injured, according to news reports.
A tornado was also confirmed in Benevolence, in southwest Georgia near the area of Chambliss and Centerpoint.
Benevolence is in Randolph County, south of Columbus and east of Eufaula, Alabama.
Near the Alabama-Georgia line in Eufaula, a midday twister pulled the roofs off homes in a neighborhood near the Country Club of Alabama, The Associated Press reported. The area was left littered with pieces of about 15 houses and trees, but Mayor Jack Tibbs said only one minor injury was reported.
Twitter users shared pictures of the twister in Eufaula.
Other twisters reportedly caused significant damage in the southern part of Eufaula, where nearby residents were warned to immediately shelter in place. Another twister was reported near Troy Municipal Airport in Pike County, Alabama, with debris swirling in the air.
Multiple trees were down across central Alabama, including Birmingham’s southern suburbs, the AP reported. A barn was destroyed in rural east Alabama, according to the National Weather Service.
A large waterspout was also spotted in Mobile Bay.
The line of strong storms smashed buildings, blocked roads and caused power outages as utility lines fell, the AP reported.
The National Weather Service reported “considerable” damage in George County, Mississippi, from a storm that was moving eastward toward Mobile with a likely tornado. Emergency management director Nancy Smith said trees hit at least two rural homes, but there were no immediate reports of injuries.
More than 35,000 homes and businesses were without electricity in Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi.
Impact in Georgia
As the line of strong thunderstorms moved into Georgia, a tornado watch was issued in some metro Atlanta counties south of Interstate 20 until late Tuesday.
The threat was expected to diminish by late afternoon, yielding to a mix of clouds and sunshine, according to WSB meteorologist Brian Monahan. There will still be some places with heavy rain and wind gusts up to 60 mph, he said.
As the rain passed, temperatures were beginning to drop in the metro area and were expected to be in the low 30s by Wednesday morning along with windy conditions.
The rest of the week will bring partly cloudy days with lows in the 40s and highs in the 60s.
The National Weather Service said the best place to seek shelter is indoors away from windows.
"[A tornado warning means] a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. There is imminent danger to life and property. Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If in a mobile home, a vehicle, or outdoors, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris." — National Weather Service
A tornado watch was issued early in the afternoon for areas in Georgia near Colquitt, Ben Hill and Tift counties, according to the National Weather Service.
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