Hurricane and Tornado in Georgia, September 26 to 27, 2024

Emergency manager passed along about 60 reports of trees or powerlines down across Walton County. The trees and power lines were reported down in the following locations: Multiple trees were reported down in the following locations: at the 3500 block of GA-186, on Loganville Hwy between McCuller Road and Thompson Road, the 1400 block of Hwy 11, the 1900 block of Snows Mill Rd, on Towler St near Old Mill Run, Youth Monroe Road at Highway 78, Miller Bottom Rd at S. Sharon Church Rd, Tig Knight Rd at Atkinson Rd, Jacks Creek Rd at Bethel Church Rd, Eddie Byrd Ln at Winder Hwy, and on SR 186 at the intersection of Randolph Still Rd. Powerlines were reported down along East Hightower Trail in Social Circle and Bradley Gin Road NW, S Madison Avenue, Gene Bell Road, Jersey Walnut Grove Road SE, S Broad Street in downtown Monroe, the 300 block of Alcovy Street, the 5500 block of Highway 81, Tom Brewer Rd at Hoke Ct, the 2200 block of Bold Springs Rd, and at the intersection of Loganville Hwy and Creekwood Dr.

Emergency manager reported a tree down on a building on Berkeley Crossing.

A brief tornado occurred in rural Wheeler County ahead of Hurricane Helene during the evening hours of September 26th. The tornado touched down and crossed Hwy 19 near the intersections of Ponderosa Road and Adams Cemetery Road. A few small trees were|snapped, but the main damage was to a mobile home/trailer that was completely destroyed with debris thrown across Hwy 19 into a field about 75 yards away. The mobile home/trailer was not fastened down and there are no pictures of what it looked like before it was hit.

Emergency manager reported a tree fell onto a home at the 4000 block of Ballina Dr.

The emergency manager of DeKalb County passed along about 100 reports of trees and powerlines down, including at at the 1200 block of Fleetwood Dr, the 2200 block of McCurdy Rd, the 7200 block of S Goddard Rd, Mercer University Dr near the intersection with Flowers Rd S, Columbia Dr between Columbia Ct and Spring Valley Rd, the 1200 block of Robinwood Rd, the 2300 block of Burnt Creek Rd, the intersection of Bouldercrest Rd and Woodfen Dr, Musket Ln near the intersection with Silver Hill Rd, the intersection of Marbut Rd and Taffeta Trl, the 4700 block of Cedar Park Way, the intersection of Casa Dr and Mell Ave, the 700 block of Allgood Rd, and I-20 eastbound before the exit to Flat Shoals Road.

Emergency manager reported a tree fell onto an apartment building in the 6600 block of Peachtree Industrial Blvd.

Emergency manager reported a tree fell onto a home in the 1200 block of Druid Knoll Drive NE.

Emergency manager reported a tree fell onto a home at the 4600 block of Rousay Court.

Emergency manager reported a tree down on a home on the 100 block of Zion Wood Rd.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported multiple trees down, including at SR 85 ALT past Pine Ln, SR 109 SP before Canopy Ln, on SR 18 at the intersection of Threadgill Road, on SR 74 at the intersection with Carrolls Martin Road, and on Griffin Hwy at Mt. Carmel Rd.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree down on Turners Corner Road between John Crow Road and Robert Jarrad Road.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree down at the intersection of Wiley Road at Clarks Bridge Road.

Emergency manager reported twenty-three trees down, five trees on powerlines, and three powerlines down across Carroll County, primarily in the cities of Carrollton, Whitesburg, and Villa Rica.

Emergency manager reported two large trees fell at the 1900 block of Lomita Rd SE with one crushing a parked vehicle.

An NWS Storm Survey on October 3, 2024 determined that Montgomery County was hit by the strongest winds from Helene (> 75 MPH gusts). Mount Vernon had thousands of trees down with some large trees snapped near the base. Extensive power outages likely approaching 100% of the county occurred.

Power, including internet and cell coverage, were lost across 100% of the Telfair County. The McRae RAWS sites measured a peak gust of 75 MPH around 3:03AM EDT on 27 September. An NWS Damage Survey observed that trees were snapped or uprooted across the entire county. There is no estimate of how many trees (or cost involved in timber/clean-up) at this time.

Radar imagery indicated that Wheeler County was within the core of the strongest winds (> 75 mph gusts). An NWS Damage Survey observed thousands of trees down across the county.

Significant damage from trees coming down occurred across Toombs County, particularly along and west of US Hwy 1. The town of Lyons was heavily damaged, and just west in Vidalia, a 78 MPH gust was measured from a University of Georgia Ag weather station at 3:24 AM on September 27, 2024.

AWOS at Vidalia Municipal Airport (KVDI) reported a 51 mph wind gust.

An NWS Storm Survey observed that Treutlen County experienced some of the strongest winds from Helene (> 75 MPH gusts) as it moved across Georgia. The town of Soperton had the worst infrastructure damage with numerous homes and businesses sustaining at least some damage. A furniture factory store was completely gutted by the winds, with all windows shattered, a metal roof blown off, and insulation and debris blown everywhere. There was no power for more than a week for most residents. A tree was reported down on a semi-truck on GA Hwy 29. Trees and powerlines were downed on GA Hwy 46 between Rosemont Church Road and Osceola Road and on East Railroad Ave between Stephens Street and College St. A tree was downed across Swainsboro Highway between Gillis Street and Metter Road. More trees were reported down on US Hwy 221 near Outlaw Grove Road and near GA Hwy 227.

An NWS Storm Survey determined that far southwest corner of the county, generally west of Hwy 221, saw a notable increase in trees down, from the Norristown area to Adrian.

An NWS Storm Survey on October 3, 2024 determined that Johnson County sustained extensive damage from Helene’s winds. More than 300 homes and businesses around the county experienced some type of damage. Wind gusts were estimated in the 60-80 MPH range based on damage to trees and structural damage to buildings (not caused by trees coming down). Power outages were extensive across the county for more than a week.

As of October 3, 2024, the Emergency manager in Laurens County accounted for around 40 homes that were destroyed due to trees coming down on them with 80+ structures sustaining major damage. These numbers will likely go up when final assessment is completed. The fatalities occurred when a tree fell on a home.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree down on SR 18, closing both directions near Griswoldville Rd.

Emergency manager for Bleckley County reported several trees down across the county but no major issues.

An NWS Storm Survey determined that Jefferson County was one of the hardest hit counties in east-central GA by Helene. It was estimated that more than $75M (million) worth of timber was lost across the county and 100% of county inhabitants were without power at one point. Twenty-four homes were completely destroyed.

An NWS Damage Survey observed extensive damage from trees down across the county, with the worst damage seen along and east of Hwy 15 from Davisboro to Riddleville to Harrison. Many trees were down on homes. Power outages covered the entire county for multiple days.

As of an NWS Damage Survey on October 3, 2024, the emergency manager reported around 20 trees down across roads in the county with some power outages noted but most restored. A broken power pole was reported on the roadway on Main Street between Lavender Rd and MLK Rd.

United States Forest Service RAWS station at Mcrae (MRAG1) measured 75 mph gust.

AWOS station in Eastman (KEZM) reported a 56 mph gust.

AWOS station in Swainsboro (KSBO) reported a 54 mph gust.

University of Georgia Mesonet station in Vidalia (UGA58) measured a 78 mph wind gust.

An NWS Storm Survey determined that much of the county experienced significant, high-end tropical storm force winds (> 60 MPH) due to the number of trees down across the county.

Thousands of trees were reported down with lots of structures damaged. Power was out for more than a week for nearly the entire county and cell phone coverage was limited. A fire station was destroyed due to the wind and trees down. Trees/debris down across I-20 blocking both directions in the vicinity of Exit 160.

University of Georgia Mesonet station in Dublin (UGA06) measured a 60 mph wind gust.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree down on Atlanta Hwy at the intersection with Cummings Dr.

During an NWS Storm Survey on October 3, 2024, extensive power outages remained due to the wind and downed trees. Multiple trees were down in Hwy 16.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree fell across GA-136, leading to a vehicle accident.

Emergency manager reported a tree down across road near the intersection of Kingston Hwy and Tom Jones Rd.

Emergency Manager reported that a falling tree grazed a house on the 200th block of Brock Dr near Debbie Ln.

According to an NWS storm survey, many trees were down from the wind. Many roads were cleared by October 3, 2024, nearly a week after Helene. Minimal structural damage was observed. Widespread power outages were down to around 20% as of October 3, 2024.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree down at the intersection of SR 234 and Waldrip Road.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree down on SR 22 Eastbound at SR 24, with all lanes closed.

Emergency manager reported a tree down across the road near the 1400th block of Highway 411.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported three trees down: on SR 195 at Old Stage Road, on SR 196 Old Stage Rd, and on SR 45 near Chavers Drive.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree down at the intersection SR 15 and Macedonia Road.

As of an NWS Damage Survey on October 3, 2024, some were still without power. County-wide damage due to trees down. Sporadic damage to roofs, walls, and balconies of buildings in downtown Washington. The full assessment of Wilkes County will take time, as the county has about 250 miles of dirt roads.

The 911 call center for Chattooga County reported a tree down across Alexander Rd near the intersection with Spring Creek Rd.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree down on SR 70 at the intersection with Brimer Rd.

Emergency manager reported a tree down on a home on the 400 block of Springdale Rd.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree down on Price Road at Old Wilkie Road.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree down on SR 126 both direction at Old Yonkers Rd, with all lanes closed.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree down on I-75 southbound near the exit for SR 247/US 41 and Pio Nono Ave, which blocked the right two lanes.

The 911 call center for Chattooga County reported a tree down near the intersection of Mountain View Rd and Williams Cemetery Rd, blocking one lane.

Public report of a tree down on SR 52 at the intersection with Bailey Waters Rd.

AWOS at Warner Robins Air Force Base (KWRB) measured a 51 mph wind gust.

The ASOS station at Macon (KMCN) reported a 59 mph wind gust.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree down on Chester-Cochran HWY between Hannah Road and Old Yonkers Road.

United States Forest Service RAWS station in Louisville (LOUG1) reported a 75 mph wind gust.

ASOS at Atlanta (KATL) at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport measured a 45 mph wind gust.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree down on Hwy 60 at the intersection with Woody Lane.

ASOS at the Fulton County Airport (KFTY) measured a 44 mph wind gust.

Emergency manager reported a tree fell and blocked one lane of Pope Rd at the intersection with Midway Rd.

Emergency manager reported that multiple trees were down on roads across Pike County. Trees and powerlines on Patton Rd at Starks Rd and at Hamilton Rd and Flat Shoals led to road closures.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported downed a tree and powerlines down on SR 362 at Jonathans Roost Rd.

ASOS at Peachtree-DeKalb (KPDK) measured a wind gust of 40 mph.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a few trees down on SR 136 between Harold Harris Road and Barwick Road and on SR 240 near Water Wells Road.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree and power lines down across Dublin Hwy, blocking all lanes.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree down on a semi-truck on SR 16 eastbound near the Coweta/Spalding County line.

Emergency manager reported a tree down at the intersection of Beaver Drive and Lake Monroe Road.

Emergency manager reported a tree fell and blocked the entire roadway at the 3900 block of Kings Hwy.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree down on powerlines at SR 26 and County Line Rd.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree down on HWY 174 between Dudley Road and Shiloh Fort Lamar Road.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported two trees down on Bostwick HWY near the intersection of Slaughter Veasley Road and on Bostwick Road between Sandy Creek Road and Prospect Road.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree and powerlines down at intersection of Terrace Circle and Elberton Road.

Emergency manager reported a tree fell onto a home in the 2600 block of Winding Creek Dr.

Georgia department of transportation reported three trees down on Hwy 51, near the intersections of Hickory Flat Rd, McCoy Bridge Rd, and between Martin Bridge Rd and W. Ariail Rd.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree down on HWY 16 at Joe Cox Road.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree down on GA HWY 278 near Laurens/Bleckley County line.

Emergency manager reported that a vehicle crashed into a fallen tree in the 600 block of McDaniel Street, resulting in one minor injury.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree down with debris at the intersection of SR 96 and Crest Hill Street.

The 911 call center for Chattooga County reported a large tree across roadway near the intersection of Hwy 100 and Dodd Dr.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported two trees down on Elberton Rd near the intersections with Howard Thaxton Rd and Fairground Rd.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree down on Scott Brown Rd at the intersection with Fairmount Hwy.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree down on Hwy 323 between E Hall Road and Lebanon Church Road.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree down at the intersection of SR 11 and Rogers Rd.

ASOS at Gainesville (KGVL) measured a 46 mph wind gust.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree down at the intersection of Lula Rd and Lynn Dr.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree down on the exit 60 ramp on I-285 Eastbound.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree down across the road near the intersection of Conyers St SE and Crestview Dr SE.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree down on SR 41 before Woodland Drive.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported multiple trees down across Crisp County, specifically on SR 280, 6th St, SR 30, Pecan St, SR 257, SR 90, Hatley Rd, and Lakeview Cir.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree down on SR 81 E before Steele Dr.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree down on Abbeville HWY between Jerry Farmer Road and Studstill Road.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree down on HWY 165 between Jerry Wahl Road and Tucker Dr.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree and powerlines down on McRae Highway and Hummingbird Lane.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree down on SR 36 at Pleasant Hill Street.

Public report of a tree down on home on Trace Lane near the intersection with Biscayne Blvd.

Emergency Manager reported a tree down across the road near the intersection of Conyers St SE and Crestview Dr SE.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a tree down on I-85 northbound at mile marker 49.

Georgia Department of Transportation reported a large tree down on Hwy 53 and Voyles Rd.

Public report of a tree down across a driveway near the intersection of Hwy 19 and Hwy 129.

Public report of a tree down blocking the road near the intersection of Murdock Rd and Wicka Lake Dr.