TIFTON —
The heavy rain and strong winds that swept through Tift County Wednesday night were long gone by Thursday morning as residents woke up to a sunny, yet very chilly, day.
Vickie Hickman, deputy director of Tift County’s Emergency Management Agency, kept The Gazette staff abreast of what was occurring in the Tifton area Wednesday night.
Although, there were reports of bad weather in Southwest Georgia, no storms were expected for the local area. Just before 4 p.m., there was a report of a tornado that touched down between Sasser and Dawson in Terrell County.
Shortly after 6 p.m., Hickman reported that Tift County was under a tornado watch but not a warning. Minutes later, the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for the northern part of Tift County, based solely on what was being seen on the radar. However, no sightings were reported.
Before the warning, Hickman told staff that strong winds were expected between 6 and 9 p.m. from the front coming through and then it was expected to ease up with the weather being noticeably cooler. She had noted that they were watching the storm closely.
At approximately 9:30 p.m., Hickman contacted staff and stated that the weather that came through the county resulted in four houses damaged and widespread reports of power lines and trees being down.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported at that time. The temperature was also much cooler dropping almost 20 degrees after the weather swept through the county.
The Gazette contacted Hickman Thursday morning for a weather update. She said EMA and the road department were out in the area until midnight. Also, during daylight, they rode around Thursday morning checking for any damages. Power crews were out late Wednesday night as well.
“All power was restored last [Wednesday] night,” Hickman said. “We just have some cleaning up to do.”
She reiterated from Wednesday night that there were widespread reports of power lines and trees being down. She said there were reports of trees being down mainly in the areas of Cromer Road, Red Oak Road and also Kelltown. Trees had fallen on top of some houses, causing roof damage. However, no catastrophic damages were reported, Hickman said. Also, no injuries were reported.
To contact reporter Latasha Everson, call 382-4321.
Local News
Rough winds, rain lead to chilly, sunny day Thursday
- Local News
-
-
Students challenge community, leaders to ‘stop the violence’
“Keep calm and stop the violence,” “Save our streets” and “No more violence” were the words echoed by Eighth Street Middle School students early Tuesday morning as they stood in front of the school behind caution tape and orange cones, shouting and holding up signs as they waved at passing motorists who smiled and returned the gesture.
-
Concert in the Park: Austin Kilby to headline concert Friday
The spring Concert in the Park series will come to a close this Friday with featured local singer Austin Kilby who will perform at noon at Veterans Memorial Park.
-
Tifton man arrested in marijuana sting
The Mid-South Narcotics Task Force, along with the Tift County Sheriff’s Office, served a search warrant May 7 on the residence of 36-year-old Daniel Eubanks, located at 905 36th Street in Tifton. The search warrant was served as part of a joint investigation with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office into Eubanks' marijuana distribution.
-
Elderly woman attacked in her residence
An elderly lady reported Friday that a man assaulted her at her home.
-
Northside kicks off Olympic Field Games
Northside Primary School held an opening ceremony Monday afternoon for their inaugural Olympic Field Games event, which will be ongoing all this week.
-
George A. Wright Award presented to Holly Hall
Holly Bailey Hall was named the 2013 recipient of the George A. Wright Memorial Award May 1 at First Baptist Church in Tifton. The event was the kickoff luncheon for Older Americans Month.
-
Summer AR program on track to earn 5 million points
It’s official – the Reading Capital of the World Summer Accelerated Reader (AR) program is back on track, says Mike Brumby, executive director of the Tift County Foundation for Educational Excellence.
-
Wreck with ambulance, TCSO vehicle leaves no injuries, one charged
A three-vehicle wreck Sunday afternoon involving an ambulance, pickup truck and a Tift County Sheriff’s Office deputy car resulted in no injuries.
-
Tift County Teacher of the Year: It’s an honor to be recognized for what you love to do
This year’s 2013-14 Tift County Teacher of the Year is Omega Elementary School’s very own Shonta Walker. She is also her school’s Teacher of the Year.
-
Risk assessment website to help tomato growers
Tomato yellow leaf curl virus has been a chronic threat to tomato production in South Georgia since the late 1990s. A University of Georgia researcher says eradicating the disease may not be possible, but they continue to help farmers select resistant varieties and manage their risks.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
Former Rep. Weiner Running for New York Mayor
Jodi Arias: Death Penalty Would Cause More Pain
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Families Begin Returning to Their Homes in Moore
Raw: Aerial View of Moore Tornado Damage
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Raw: Students Clash With Police in Chile
Protests Outside Cincinnati IRS Office
New Xbox One Entertainment Console Unveiled
