Damaging Wind in Georgia, April 22, 1997

The weather event seemed to be a fast moving line of thunderstorms with two damage tracks. No hail was reported, lightning was present and the rain was not heavy. Wind damage was reported county wide with the more severe damage occurring in two separate tracks contained within ten miles either side of Interstate 16 west to east across the county. The northernmost track of damage was to trees and buildings from Dudley eastward to approximately 3 miles east southeast of East Dublin. This damage track ended near a helicopter hangar on Georgia Highway 29 south. The hangar and helicopter inside were damaged. A farm house, barn and out buildings a short distance away were also damaged. Two large Pecan trees were pushed over in the same general area, and the tops of several trees were snapped off. At approximately 1145 pm EDT, a mobile home located almost 2 miles east of Dexter was torn from its tie downs and blown off its blocks. It rolled over onto two automobiles, which sustained heavy damages, and moved 30 to 40 feet away. An eighteen month old girl sustained injuries, but was released from the hospital the next day. This damage track continued eastward to Georgia Highway 199 south, about 9 miles southeast of East Dublin. Here one mobile home was blown loose from its tie downs, tipped over on its side and was destroyed. A nearby modular home was damaged when a large tree limb was blown onto it. There were minor injuries at this location. A woman was treated for a leg injury. Additional damage was reported just off Georgia Highway 199. A house was damaged and power lines snapped. Tree limbs were also blocking the road.Upon inspection by a National Weather Service employee all damage was classified as straightline winds.