Scenes of devastation stretched across Georgia on Monday as powerful storms swept through the state, toppling trees, damaging homes, and leaving thousands without power. Officials confirmed at least one tornado touchdown in Henry County, while widespread damage was reported in metro Atlanta and beyond.
Widespread Power Outages and Structural Damage
Thousands of Georgians were left in the dark as the storms knocked down power lines and trees across several counties. By 6 p.m., Georgia Power reported over 10,000 customers without electricity, while Georgia EMC estimated an additional 8,000 outages. Metro Atlanta alone accounted for about 1,100 of those without power.
In Clayton County, a massive 50-foot tree crashed through a home’s living room, splitting the house in half. The impact was so severe that the tree extended through the entire structure, even taking out part of the back wall.
Neighbors were stunned by the destruction. Chris Dickerson, a local resident, recounted the moment he learned about his neighbor’s misfortune. “(The homeowner) called me up right when I stuck my head out the door, and he said, ‘Chris, a tree fell on my house!’” Dickerson recalled. “I asked if everyone was OK, he said yes. I went, ‘That’s the main thing. The house can be fixed, but you can’t.’”
Emergency Crews Work to Clear Roads and Restore Power
Carroll County was among the hardest-hit areas, with entire streets littered with fallen trees and debris. Cypress Circle was just one of a dozen locations where cleanup efforts were underway.
- In Cobb County, a large tree crashed onto a house and a car, dragging power lines down with it.
- In Acworth, city power crews rushed to Rockdale Road to make urgent repairs.
- Reports from several counties indicated similar scenes of destruction, with emergency responders working through the night to clear roads and restore power.
In some cases, residents barely avoided disaster. Sera Speegle described a harrowing experience as she left her home to pick up her children. “Heard a huge snap, the giant tree fell across the street, smacked the neighbor’s house. All the while, I was literally driving under the power cords when they started to bungee up and down.”
Assessing the Impact and Looking Ahead
Authorities, including the National Weather Service, were on the ground assessing damage and confirming whether additional tornadoes had touched down. Weather officials confirmed at least one twister in Henry County but warned that further analysis could reveal more.
Georgia’s recent storms come as part of a larger pattern of extreme weather impacting the Southeast. Officials urge residents to stay alert as cleanup efforts continue and forecasters monitor potential additional threats in the coming days.
The full extent of the damage is still being evaluated, but for many residents, Monday’s storms were a sobering reminder of nature’s power. For those like Chris Dickerson and Sera Speegle, the damage to homes and property is severe—but the relief that their families and neighbors are safe outweighs the destruction.
