High Wind in Georgia, September 6 to 7, 2004

High wind damage, associated with Tropical Storm Frances, is listed below, in alphabetical order by county for those counties that "high wind" criteria was either met or assumed to be met.Baldwin: The Georgia Emergency Management Agency reported that extensive and widespread wind damage was observed. Many trees and power lines were down throughout the county and many parts of the county were expected to be without power for up to four days as a result. In addition, four homes suffered major damage and five suffered minor damage. One man was injured and taken to a local hospital when a tree fell on his mobile home. Four to five inches of rain was also reported throughout the county, but no significant flooding problems were reported. (Estimated Damage: $500,000)Barrow: The Barrow County News of Winder reported that many trees and power lines were down throughout the county. A funeral home was damaged when the relatively new roof was peeled back by the high winds and a large tree fell on the structure causing damage to the embalming and casket room. The funeral home owner's adjacent private residence was also damaged by a fallen tree. Several other businesses and homes in the area sustained minor damage from fallen trees. Other businesses had signs damaged. (Estimated Damage: $250,000)Bibb: The Georgia Emergency Management Agency, the Bibb County Emergency Management Director, and the Macon Telegraph reported that many trees and power lines were down throughout the county. Two brand new vehicles, one a minivan, were damaged by large pine trees which fell on them and an aerial truck was also damaged by a fallen tree. Several homes sustained minor damage from fallen trees. At least 45,000 people in the county were left without power for an extensive period of time. The Bibb County Emergency Management Director measured wind gusts of 51 mph at his location. (Estimated Damage: $500,000)Bleckley: The Cochran Journal reported that many trees and power lines were down throughout the county. Many roads were blocked and 50 percent of the county was left without power for many hours. In addition, a large tree fell on and damaged a home on Race Track Lane and the scoreboard at the Cochran High School was blown down by the strong winds. (Estimated Damage: $500,000)Butts: The Jackson Progress reported that there was extensive damage to trees and power lines throughout the county. One home suffered major damage when a large pecan tree fell on the structure and punctured it in two different areas. In another incident, a 200 year old large 150 foot oak tree fell and barely missed a home, but did block the adjacent street. At Indian Springs State Park, a large tree fell on the main power transmission line, causing the entire park to lose power. In addition, dozens of large trees were blown down throughout the park causing the park to be closed. On Georgia Highway 16, an 18-wheel tanker truck carrying liquid oxygen was overturned by the high winds. Rain froze on the highway as the liquid oxygen spilled from the tanker causing a 6-inch thick sheet of ice to form. (Estimated Damages: $250,000)Cherokee: The Georgia Emergency Management Agency, as well as the Cherokee County Emergency Management Director and the Cherokee Tribune, reported that dozens of trees and power lines were blown down throughout the county. Hundreds of calls were received at the county 911 office reporting downed trees and power lines. A home on Patriot Trail sustained major damage when a large oak tree fell on the structure and a mobile home, also on Patriot Trail, was destroyed when a large oak tree fell on it. Georgia Highway 92 was blocked at West Wylie Bridge Road east of Woodstock with numerous downed power lines. (Estimated Damage: $250,000)Clarke: The Athens Banner Herald reported that many trees and power lines were blown down throughout the county, causing damage to some residences, and widespread power outages. Two residences suffered significant damage when large trees fell on them. The roof of a 19th century home on Barber Street, also listed in the National Historic Register, sustained significant damage when a large tree fell on the structure. A duplex on Northview Drive also suffered damage when a large tree snapped and fell on the structure. At least 5000 residents in the county were without power during the height of the storm. Winds gusts of 44 mph were recorded at the Athens airport, but higher wind gusts were estimated elsewhere. (Estimated Damage: $350,000)Clayton: The News Daily of Jonesboro reported that many trees and power lines were down throughout the county. A large oak tree fell on a home in Morrow causing minor damage to the roof. Another tree fell across North Shore Drive, temporarily blocking the road. Sustained winds of 42 mph with gusts to 52 mph were reported at the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in the far northwest corner of the county between 2 am and 3 am EDT. (Estimated Damage: $250,000)Cobb: The East Cobb Neighbor reported that a number of trees and power lines were down throughout the county. One tree fell on a home on Old Georgia Highway 41 in Kennesaw and another 100 foot tall tree fell on a home in Smyrna causing extensive damage to the home. The tree crashed into a bedroom, knocked bricks off the house and broke the roof rafters. Estimates to remove just the tree alone were $2500. (Estimated Damage: $250,000)Coweta: The Coweta County 911 center reported that a number of trees and power lines were down throughout the county. The Newnan Times/Herald reported that shingles were blown off the roof of the newspaper's building. Wind gusts at the newspaper were recorded at 48 mph shortly after 4 am EDT. (Estimated Damage: $150,000)Crawford: The Georgia Post of Roberta and the Macon Telegraph reported that numerous trees and power lines were down throughout the county. At least 36 trees were blown down on roads and 15 power lines were down. Much of the county was left without power, including the county's 911 center. A family had to be rescued when a large tree fell on their home causing damage to the structure. Four vehicles were damaged by fallen trees, including a county rescue truck which was damaged when a tree fell on a road and the vehicle collided with the tree. Finally, a high school football scoreboard in Roberta was blown down by the strong winds. (Estimated Damage: $500,000)Crisp: The Cordele Dispatch reported that an extensive number of trees and power lines were down around the county. Roads and streets countywide were literally strewn with debris. A number of roads throughout the county were blocked by fallen trees and power lines and were closed. The Georgia Emergency Management Agency reported that five government buildings were heavily damaged by downed trees, including the Daphne Lodge. Two businesses were damaged and three homes sustained moderate damage, including a home on 13th street in Cordele which suffered minor damage when a large tree fell on it. Damage to government property alone was estimated at $200,000. Several hundred residents in the county were left without power during the storm. (Estimated Damage: $500,000)DeKalb: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that a number of trees and power lines were down throughout the county. The worst damage was in the Lithonia and Decatur areas, where one home sustained moderate damage because of a fallen tree. Thousands of residents in the county were left without power for several hours during the morning hours. (Estimated Damage: $150,000)Dodge: The Dodge County News of Eastman reported extensive damage to trees and power lines throughout the county. Trees and power lines were down throughout the county causing damage to structures, blocking a number of roads. The downed power lines left three to four thousand customers without power as well. A double wide mobile home in Chauncey and a trailer in Rhine both suffered heavy damage when large trees fell on the structures. Two other structures in the county also suffered damage from downed trees. Much of the county received up to 8 inches of rain from late Monday afternoon through Tuesday afternoon. (Estimated Damage: $500,000)Dooly: The News Observer of Vienna reported extensive damage to trees and power lines around the county, leaving as much as 70 percent of the residents of the county without power during the overnight and morning hours. Dozens of trees and power lines were blown down. The Electric Membership Cooperative for the county reported extensive damage to their power line system throughout the county. (Estimated Damage: $250,000)Fayette: The Fayette County Emergency Management Director reported that dozens of trees and power lines were down throughout the county. In addition, three homes sustained damage totaling $225,000 as a result of downed trees. The Coweta-Fayette Electric Membership Cooperative reported extensive damage to power lines throughout the county. Georgia Highway 74 on the south side of Peachtree City was blocked from downed trees and power lines during the early morning hours. All together, some 30 roads around the county were blocked from downed trees and power lines during the morning hours. (Estimated Damage: $378,000)Forsyth: The Forsyth County News reported that dozens of trees and power lines were down throughout the county. Road crews reported that around 50 trees were down across roadways. The 911 center reported that calls of power lines down on roadways were coming into the center every 5 to 10 minutes during the early morning hours. Widespread power outages were reported in the county. (Estimated Damage: $150,000)Fulton: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported extensive damage across the county, especially the northern sections, to trees, power lines, homes, and vehicles. Several vehicles in Atlanta either suffered extensive damage or were totaled by downed trees. A student's vehicle parked at Georgia Tech University in North Atlanta sustained significant damage when a power pole fell on it. One person narrowly escaped injury when a tree fell on their vehicle on Briarcliff Road. Several homes also sustained minor to moderate damage from fallen trees. The county 911 center received at least 59 reports of downed trees around the county. Widespread power outages were reported throughout the county. (Estimated Damage: $450,000)Glascock: The News and Farmer Jefferson Reporter reported that a large number of trees were down across the county. Up to 30 roads in the county were blocked by fallen trees. Minor damage was also reported to homes and other structures in the county. One resident of the county reported 6.5 inches of rain. (Estimated Damage: $150,000)Greene: The Herald Journal of Greensboro reported extensive and widespread damage to trees and power lines throughout the county. Many roads were blocked and several homes sustained extensive damage. A home in Woodville suffered extensive damage when a large tree fell on the structure and crushed the roof. Another home on South Laurel Avenue suffered extensive damage when a large tree fell on the structure. Several large pecan trees were uprooted on Broad Street in Greensboro, one causing damage to the front of a home. Another large pecan tree fell and blocked Chestnut Street in Greensboro. (Estimated Damage: $175,000)Gwinnett: The Gwinnett Daily Post of Lawrenceville reported extensive damage throughout the county. Numerous trees and power lines were blown down. Several structures suffered moderate damage. An apartment complex on Sweetwater Road suffered moderate damage when a 60-foot pine tree fell on the structure. Another home in Centerville suffered extensive damage when a large tree fell through the roof of the home. A couple of vehicles were also damaged by fallen trees. A small fire was started in the exterior of one home when a tree fell on a power line adjacent to the home. Widespread power outages were noted throughout the county. (Estimated Damage: $250,000)Hall: The Times newspaper of Gainesville reported that a number of trees and power lines were down around the county. The most extensive damage was noted in the southern portion of the county, where two homes were damaged by downed trees. A tree caused minor damage to a home on Sherman Allen Road in the southern portion of the county and another home also received minor damage in the southern portion of the county. Many residents of the county were without power during the morning hours. Rainfall of 4.50 inches was reported at the Gainesville airport along with 39 mph wind gusts. The strongest winds were estimated in the southern portion of the county. (Estimated Damage: $175,000)Heard: The News and Banner of Franklin, along with the Heard County 911 Center, reported that high winds caused widespread damage to trees and power lines throughout the county. One large tree fell on a carport and part of a house on Georgia Highway 100 near Franklin. While the home itself only suffered minor to moderate structural damage, the carport and the two sport utility/truck vehicles inside were destroyed. (Estimated Damage: $100,000)Henry: The Daily Herald of McDonough reported that a large number of trees and power lines were down throughout the county. A tree fell on a storage shed at one home damaging the shed, a tractor, and other equipment inside. In Locust Grove, fallen trees caused damage to Noah's Ark, a wild animal shelter. Some of the wild cats in the animal shelter were temporarily set free because of damage to the encaging fence. They were captured later in the day. The 911 center reported that around 30 trees were down on roads and power lines within the county. Much of the county was left without power during the early morning hours. (Estimated Damage: $200,000)Houston: The Houston Home Journal and the Macon Telegraph reported extensive damage across the county, including Robins Air Force Base. Over 100 trees were blown down across the county, landing on roads, power lines, homes, businesses, and vehicles. Two homes suffered extensive damage when large trees fell on the structures. At one home a large tree crashed through the roof damaging the kitchen and den, while at the other end, a large tree crashed through the balcony and landed in one of the bedrooms of the home. A steeple was blown off the River Light Church of God on Corder Road. Up to 50 roads were blocked and closed because of fallen trees while nearly 1000 residents of the county were left without power for days. (Estimated Damage: $500,000)Jasper: The Georgia Emergency Management Agency, along with the Monticello News, reported extensive and widespread damage throughout the county. Hundreds of trees were blown down, causing damage to homes, blocking roads (three of which were closed), and knocking out power to 70 percent of the county. One home was destroyed while approximately 15 homes suffered major damage and 50 homes minor damage. (Estimated Damage: $500,000)Johnson: The Macon Telegraph and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency reported widespread damage to trees, power lines, structures, and vehicles within the county. Trees were uprooted, roofs were torn off, and metal awnings were folded like sheets of paper. A portion of the roof was blown off the New Bethel Methodist Church and a tin roof was peeled off a building in Wrightsville. Several trees fell on a Sheriff's Deputy car, causing significant damage to the vehicle. A county fire truck was damaged when a limb crashed through the windshield. At a farm owned by the county Emergency Management Director, large 2-foot diameter pine trees were blown over or snapped off 10-15 feet above the ground. The downed trees and power lines left around 80 percent of the county without power during the storm. (Estimated Damage: $250,000)Jones: The Macon Telegraph and the Jones County News reported extensive damage to trees and power lines throughout the county. Most of the county was left without power for an extended period of time. The county Emergency Management Director reported that it was the worst and most widespread power outage he had seen in his more than 20 years working with the county. (Estimated Damage: $250,000)Lamar: The Herald Gazette of Barnesville reported extensive damage to trees, power lines, and even a business in the county. A Christmas Tree Farm reportedly lost 40 percent of their revenue, while a local nursery reported losses of $25,000, which included the roof of one building. 2000-3000 ornamental trees and 30, 50-100 year-old trees were damaged or destroyed. Trees fell on roads and power lines throughout the county. One large tree fell on Old Georgia Highway 41, blocking the road for several hours, and a power pole fell across a railroad track. (Estimated Damage: $250,000)Laurens: The Macon Telegraph and the Courier Herald of Dublin reported hundreds of trees and dozens of power lines were down throughout the county. Twelve homes in Dublin sustained minor damage from fallen trees and the Bailey Voting Precinct building was damaged. In addition, several vehicles were damaged. Much of the county was also left without power during the storm. (Estimated Damage: $750,000)Macon: The Macon County 911 Center and the Citizen and Georgian of Montezuma reported that dozens of trees and power lines were down throughout the county. Around 1500 people were left without power for many hours. (Estimated Damage: $150,000)Marion: The Tri-County Journal of Marion and Schley counties reported that numerous trees and power lines were down throughout the county. One large oak tree was blown over at the Marion county courthouse in Buena Vista causing damage to an adjacent home on Georgia Highway 26. (Estimated Damage: $100,000)Meriwether: The Manchester Star Mercury and the Meriwether Vindicator of Greenville reported widespread damage to trees and power lines throughout the county. Georgia Highway 85 near Alvaton was blocked for several hours as a large tree fell on two vehicles and power lines. One of the vehicles was overturned. In Manchester, a large 150-year old oak tree fell on a home causing major damage to the structure, while in Greenville another home sustained major damage when a large tree fell on a home. (Estimated Damage: $250,000)Monroe: The Macon Telegraph and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency reported widespread damage across the county. Numerous trees and power lines were blown down, causing damage to several homes, a sheriff's vehicle, and closing Interstate 75 for several hours. Literally dozens of trees and some power lines were down on Interstate 75 during the event. In addition, there were several reports of people driving into trees that had fallen down on the roadways. (Estimated Damage: $300,000)Montgomery: The Montgomery Monitor of Mount Vernon reported that numerous trees and power lines were down throughout the county. The fallen trees blocked roads and caused damage to structures, including the fence at the Montgomery County Tennis Court and Baseball field. Up to eight inches of rain fell in parts of the county from late afternoon on the 6th to early afternoon on the 7th. (Estimated Damage: $150,000)Morgan: The Madisonian of Madison reported that an extensive number of trees and power lines were blown down throughout the county. A sport utility vehicle was damaged when a large pecan tree fell on it. (Estimated Damage: $200,000)Newton: The Georgia Emergency Management Agency and the Covington News reported widespread damage across the county to trees and power lines. Downed trees caused damage to structures and blocked several roads. Georgia Highway 11 was blocked for over 2 hours from fallen trees and a very large tree fell on the Oxford College campus. (Estimated Damage: $200,000)Peach: The Macon Telegraph reported widespread and extensive damage throughout the county. A large pecan orchard lost from 500 to 600 large mature pecan trees, with damages mounting into the millions. Hundreds of trees and dozens of power lines were down throughout the county. A large pecan tree fell on and crushed the roof of a house in Fort Valley. Two fire department trucks and a sheriff's vehicle were heavily damaged by falling trees. Georgia Highway 96 was blocked and closed for several miles with numerous trees and power lines down on the road. (Estimated Damage: $16,000,000)Pike: The Pike County Journal and Reporter along with the Pike County 911 Center reported that a good number of trees and power lines were down in the county. A large oak tree fell at an accounting firm on Georgia Highway 19 and a large pecan tree fell on a home on Georgia Highway 18 causing damage to the roof. At another location, a carport was destroyed when a large sweet gum tree fell on the structure. (Estimated Damage: $150,000)Pulaski: The Hawkinsville Dispatch and News reported extensive damage throughout the county to trees, power lines, and some structures. By far the biggest loss in the county was the loss of the pecan crop. From 300 to 325 mature pecan trees were lost with damage estimates well into the millions. At least 50 percent of the county's pecan crop was lost. Other crop losses included 35 percent of the cotton crop and 25 percent of the peanut crop. In addition to widespread trees and power lines down, some blocking roads, the Senior Citizen Center suffered extensive damage when a large tree fell through the roof causing at least $70,000 in damage. (Estimated Damage: $8,000,000)Putnam: The Eatonton Messenger and the Putnam County 911 Center reported extensive damage across the county. High winds blew down dozens of trees and power lines in the county. A number of homes and several vehicles suffered damage when large trees fell on them. A large pecan tree fell on a home in Eatonton, coming within inches of hurting a 6-year old girl. This was just one of several homes and properties damaged in the area. (Estimated Damage: $500,000)Rockdale: The Rockdale Citizen reported that a number of trees and power lines were down throughout the county. One home sustained major damage when a large 70-year old pecan tree fell on the structure. (Estimated Damage: $150,000)Schley: The Schley County 911 Center reported widespread damage to trees and power lines throughout the county. (Estimated Damage: $150,000)Spalding: The Spalding County 911 Center and the Griffin Daily News reported extensive damage throughout the county. Dozens of trees and power lines were blown down, damaging at least one home and vehicle. At least one road was also blocked when a large tree fell across the road. A 2000 Dodge pickup truck was destroyed when a large tree crushed the vehicle. (Estimated Damage: $250,000)Sumter: The Sumter Free Press of Americus, along with the Sumter County 911 Center, reported numerous trees and power lines were down throughout the county. Around 2500 customers were left without power during the storm. Some roads were blocked from fallen trees and large limbs. One large pecan tree fell on the rear of the Staley Middle School, causing damage to the media room. In addition, the pecan crop, as in neighboring counties, suffered major losses. Around 40 percent of the crop in the county was lost as several hundred trees were blown over. (Estimated Damage: $6,200,000)Talbot: The Talbotton New Era and the Talbot County 911 Center reported extensive damage throughout the county to trees, power lines, and several structures. Dozens of trees and power lines were blown down throughout the county. A home in Talbotton was virtually destroyed when a large 150-year old oak tree fell down on the structure. An appliance building in Talbotton also suffered moderate damage when the roof was blown off the structure. Wind gusts of at least 50 mph were recorded in the Talbotton area. (Estimated Damage: $200,000)Taylor: The Taylor County News of Butler and the Taylor County 911 Center reported extensive damage to trees, power lines, and several structures throughout the county. A laundromat in Butler was damaged when winds twisted off an awning and a portion of a metal roof was blown off a Family Dollar store in Butler. In Reynolds, The First Baptist Church suffered damage when an awning was knocked off by downed trees. In addition, several roads were blocked in the county by fallen trees. (Estimated Damage: $200,000)Telfair: The Macon Telegraph, the Telfair Enterprise of McRae, and the Telfair County 911 Center all reported extensive damage to trees and power lines across the county. Dozens of roads were blocked by fallen trees. In addition, a mobile home and most of its possessions were destroyed when a large tree fell across structure. (Estimated Damage: $200,000)Toombs: The Advance of Vidalia and the Toombs County 911 Center reported extensive and widespread damage to trees and power lines throughout the county. Dozens of trees and power lines were down. In the city of Vidalia alone, at least 30 trees were down blocking the roads. Roads were blocked throughout the county and some structures were damaged. Two residents of the county were trapped inside their home after a tree fell on the home causing significant damage to the structure as well as destroying their two vehicles. A roof was also blown off a mobile home on Georgia Highway 292. (Estimated Damage: $250,000)Treutlen: The Soperton News and the Treutlen County 911 Center reported extensive wind damage throughout the county to trees and power lines. Dozens of trees were blown down, many blocking roads, and others on power lines. Most of the county was without power for an extended period of time. (Estimated Damage: $150,000)Troup: The Hogansville Home News, along with the Troup County 911 Center, reported numerous trees and power lines down throughout the county. One home suffered extensive damage when a large oak tree fell on the structure and split in half across the roof. (Estimated Damage: $150,000)Twiggs: The Twiggs New Era of Jefferson and the Twiggs County 911 Center reported extensive and widespread damage across the county to trees, power lines, and structures. The entire county, including the 911 communications center, was left without power for an extended period of time. Some areas of the county were without power for over a day, as several hundred trees were down in the county, many on power lines. In addition, at least 100 trees had to be removed from roadways. Significant property damage was also reported throughout the county with one home completely destroyed, three with extensive damage, five with moderate damage, and two with slight damage. Finally, one resident in the county reported 9.9 inches of rain during the event. (Estimated Damage: $900,000)Upson: The Georgia Emergency Management Agency and the Upson County 911 Center reported extensive damage across the county to trees, power lines, and some structures. Six roads were blocked and closed because of fallen trees and trees had fallen on and caused damage to three structures in the county. Many of the roads were littered with debris. Approximately 2500 residents in the county were left without power for over a day. (Estimated Damage: $570,000)Wheeler: The Wheeler County Eagle of Alamo, along with the Wheeler County 911 Center, reported extensive and widespread damage to trees, power lines, and structures throughout the county. Dozens of trees and power lines were down and several roads were blocked. Several structures suffered major damage. The entire roof of one home was crushed when a large tree fell on the structure. A mobile home was destroyed when a large tree fell across the structure and split it in half. Another tree fell on a home causing minor damage, while a pickup truck was damaged when a pine tree fell on the vehicle. In addition, some parts of the county reported receiving 10 to 12 inches of rain during the 24-36 hours that Tropical Storm Frances affected the area. (Estimated Damage: $375,000)Wilcox: The Wilcox County 911 Center reported widespread tree and power line damage throughout the county. No structures were reported to have been damaged. (Estimated Damage: $100,000)Wilkinson: The Georgia Emergency Management Agency and the Wilkinson Post of Irwinton reported extensive and widespread damage to trees and power lines throughout the county. Several structures were also damaged. At least three homes sustained significant damage when large trees fell on them, including a large pecan tree on a home in Toomsboro. A tree also fell on the Emergency Management Director's home causing the roof to leak. Approximately 50 percent of the county was left without power for an extended period of time. (Estimated Damage: $250,000)