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EF-1 Tornado Causes Damage in Henry County During Severe Storms

Trees damaged by EF-1 tornado in Henry County

News Summary

An EF-1 tornado struck Henry County on Monday, inflicting significant damage as severe storms swept through the Atlanta area. The tornado touched down with winds reaching 90 mph, damaging around 40 trees along Brannan Road. Power outages affected thousands, with flights at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport grounded temporarily. Despite minor damage reported in Coweta County, Henry County faced extensive aftermath as emergency services worked to restore order and assess the destruction. Meteorologists expect cooler weather to follow the storms as cleanup efforts continue.

EF-1 Tornado Touches Down in Henry County, Causing Tree Damage Amid Severe Storms in Metro Atlanta

Henry County was hit hard on Monday as an EF-1 tornado touched down, wreaking havoc during a series of severe storms sweeping through the region. The event, confirmed by the National Weather Service, took place near I-75 and Jodeco Road at approximately 1:08 p.m., with gusts reaching a maximum of 90 mph.

Tornado’s Path and Damage

The tornado traveled eastward, covering an area of about 6.5 miles before crossing I-75. Along Brannan Road, around 40 trees were reported damaged, highlighting the tornado’s intense impact on the local landscape. Survey teams quickly mobilized to assess tornado activity, which led to the confirmation of radar indications of a tornado in eastern Coweta County. However, little damage was reported in that area before it moved into Fayette County shortly after 12:45 p.m.

Severe Storm Warnings and Aftermath

As the day unfolded, numerous tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings were issued throughout the metro region. The storms caused significant power outages, with thousands of residents left without electricity. Flights at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport were grounded for a couple of hours but resumed operations around 3:15 p.m.

Reports from Fayette County revealed a brief period of strong winds, coupled with sporadic power outages, as local Emergency Management aided in the aftermath. Meanwhile, in Coweta County, officials indicated downed trees without clear tornado formations, suggesting potential weak spin-ups during the storm’s course.

Widespread Power Outages and Damage

As evening approached, over 7,900 Georgia Power customers were without power, which included approximately 600 in metro Atlanta. Over 3,900 outages were reported statewide by Georgia’s electric membership cooperatives, with only a minor fraction occurring in metro Atlanta. Rockdale County faced fallen trees and power lines, causing road closures due to light flooding, while Carroll County reported several homes sustaining damage and downed trees as crews worked to clear the debris.

In Cobb County’s Acworth area, at least one tree toppled onto a home, further complicating recovery efforts. The strongest storms unleashed their fury over the metro area primarily between 1-2 p.m., with another wave of storms predicted to approach later that evening.

The Calm After the Storm

After the tumultuous weather, meteorologists expect cooler and drier air to sweep into North Georgia, providing some relief following the chaos. The NWS will continue to survey the affected areas in Henry County to confirm the tornado’s intensity while also assessing additional damage in Newnan, Coweta County.