Officials with the National Weather Service have confirmed that a tornado touched down in Hall County early Friday morning.
The tornado formed around 5:50 a.m. and was on the ground for an estimated two-and-a-half miles, Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Katie Walls said Saturday.
The tornado’s winds reached speeds of 90 mph, and it was classified as an EF-1 tornado, Walls said.
Channel 2's Richard Elliot reported on Friday the storm ripped a steeple off Dewberry Baptist Church north of Gainesville and sent a tree crashing through the church's fellowship hall. No injuries were reported.
Thunderstorms left damage across metro Atlanta and North Georgia, including downed trees and power lines, flooding and washed-out roads.
In Gwinnett County, a sinkhole washed out a portion of Scenic Highway, blocking a northbound turn lane near Henry Clower Boulevard. Crews are expected to fix the hole this week.
Gwinnett firefighters responded to numerous storm-related emergencies Friday, department spokesman Capt. Tommy Rutledge said.
Just after 5 a.m., a tree came down on a building at the Columns at Peachtree Corners apartments in the 900 block of Concepts 21 Drive near Peachtree Corners.
Crews found a large pine tree that snapped in half and fell on part of the building and in the parking lot. Limbs from the tree penetrated the roof and wall of one apartment unit, Rutledge said.
People were inside the apartment at the time. One person, an adult, was evaluated and released at the scene by paramedics for a minor injury complaint, according to officials. There were no other injuries reported.
In Peachtree City, a sinkhole formed on the southeast corner of the intersection of Ga. 54 and Ga. 74. One right turn lane was shut down at the time.
