2 Die As Severe Weather Sweeps Georgia; State Of Emergency Issued

GEORGIA — Two people were killed when severe weather swept through Georgia Thursday, leaving behind downed trees and power lines with both local and state officials warning that recovery will not be swift and a state of emergency is in place to assist with the response.

Gov. Brian Kemp said at a news conference early Friday afternoon there are people who are unaccounted for but he did not give an estimate or specific number on how many people may be unaccounted for.

People are encouraged to remain home as crews work to remove debris in efforts to clear roadways and get to people that could be trapped in their homes.

One of the two deaths was a 5-year-old child, emergency management officials said. Fox 5 Atlanta reported a 5-year-old died in Butts County after a tree fell on the car in which he was riding.

It was unknown where the second person died.

Weathering the Storm

According to Kemp's State of Emergency order, tornadoes were confirmed in Butts, Henry, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding and Troup counties with the possibility of a tornado near Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

A meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Peachtree City Office told Patch Thursday there was a confirmed tornado near the airport; however, NWS meteorologist Dylan Lusk told Patch Friday there was no reported damage or evidence of a tornado near the airport.

"It doesn't mean we won't find it, but we haven't had anything that's been reported to us," Lusk said.

Lusk said there was a potential tornado in Cobb County; but, efforts from the weather service are currently being focused south of metro Atlanta including Griffin and Lagrange. Survey crews are on the scene in those areas.

"So far, the metro has fared fairly well all things considered," Lusk said.

James C. Stallings, director of Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, said officials saw tracks from four confirmed tornadoes. The first rotation showed up on the radar around 3 p.m., he said.

The tornado that hit Griffin-Spalding County was about 5 miles wide and was on the ground for a long period of time, Stallings said.

The school system in Griffin-Spalding reported students stuck at school, including Cowan Road Middle School students who were stuck with school officials until after midnight. They were unable to reunite with their families at that time. The school system has since confirmed all students were safely with their families.

Stallings said there were widespread injuries, with people displaced in at least 50 homes in Troup County and in at least 100 homes in Spalding County.

Kemp said more than a dozen people went to the hospital with injuries.

Cobb County

Officials in Cobb County reported significant damage in Austell. There was no tornado warning in effect, so the outdoor warning system was not activated, officials said.

Damage began to be reported around 3:30 p.m., officials said.

The side of a warehouse on Oak Ridge Parkway caved in and 18 homes near Ivy Log Drive were damaged. The American Red Cross assisted families in 14 of those homes.

There were no reported injuries, officials said.

Transportation officials worked Friday to clear downed trees across the county.

Fulton County

Officials in Fulton County reported downed trees and power lines.

There were no reports of significant damage, officials said.

"Our thoughts and support are with those in Georgia and Alabama who are starting the recovery process after these storms," county officials said.

Friday's Forecast

Lusk said the remainder of Friday will be chilly with temperatures in the lower- to mid-40s. Friday night is expected to drop into the 30s. Areas to the north of metro Atlanta are forecast to be in the upper 20s.

Light snow mixed with rain is possible, though the snow is not expected to stick, Lusk said. There should not be any accumulations or impact.