Houses destroyed, injuries in pre-dawn storm
Published 8:47 am Sunday, January 22, 2017
- Powerful storms knocked down trees and caused damage early Sunday morning.
THOMASVILLE – A strong predawn Sunday storm destroyed houses and resulted in injuries in northeast Thomas County in the Merrillville area.
“All the indications are a tornado touched down,” Chris Jones, Thomas County emergency management director and fire chief, said at 7 a.m. Sunday.
A Thomas County tornado warning was issued at 2:49 a.m. Sunday.
Three people were transported to Archbold Memorial Hospital for treatment of storm-related injuries.
The storm took a northeasterly track through Thomas County and traveled into Colquitt and Cook counties, Jones said.
Gov. Nathan Deal has declared a state of emergency for several south Georgia counties, including Thomas.
Before dawn, multiple public works crews cleared roads, while utilities crews responded to power outages.
Jones said more than 2,000 Thomas Utilities and Grady County EMC customers were without power.
Staffed by emergency service agency personnel, the Emergency Operations Center opened at 4 a.m.
More inclement weather is “very possible” through 5 p.m. Sunday, Jones said. The weather might be more severe than earlier in the day, he added.
Two storm-related traffic accidents were reported, Capt. Steven Jones, Thomas County Sheriff’s Office public information officer, said. Sheriff’s office units have been out since the storm erupted.
Jones said it is imperative that Thomas County residents receive weather information.
“People need to understand weather statements and take action,” he said. “If you don’t have a way, get a way.”
The open house scheduled or Sunday at the new E-911 facility has been cancelled.
The cancellation is because of severe weather and 911’s role in the emergency situation.
Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820
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