A series of weekend tornadoes left 15 people dead in South Georgia, and storms left damage across the state.
The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency put the final death toll from the storms at 14. There were two killed in each Berrien and Brooks counties, seven in Cook County and four in Dougherty County.
The Cook County storm, one of an estimated 30 twisters to hit Georgia over the weekend, ripped through a trailer park near Adel.
Gov. Nathan Deal declared a state of emergency, through Jan. 30, in seven counties Sunday and added nine counties Monday. The original counties were Atkinson, Berrien, Brooks, Colquitt, Cook, Lowndes and Thomas. On Monday Deal added Baker, Calhoun, Clay, Crisp, Dougherty, Mitchell, Turner, Wilcox and Worth. Deal said he will add counties or extend the emergency if it becomes needed. He is expected to tour the area Wednesday.
“These storms have devastated communities and homes in South Central Georgia, and the state is making all resources available to the impacted areas,” Deal said. These storms have resulted in loss of life, numerous injuries and extensive property damage.”
Deal spoke with President Donald Trump on Sunday and said the state expects federal assistance in dealing with the storm damage. “We are hopeful they will act quickly,” Deal said of the federal government during a news conference Monday afternoon.
Stage agencies assisting those impacted by the storm include GEMHSA, the Georgia Department of Public Health, the Georgia Search and Rescue Task Force, the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Public Safety.
The DNR is sheltering residents at Reed Bingham State Park between Adel and Moultrie and has other parks on stand-by.
Homer Bryson, head of GEMHSA, said the state had complete a first sweep looking for additional casualties and was working on a second sweep late Monday. He said the state has no estimate of the people who remained missing late Monday.
At the other end of the state, in Gordon County, storms damaged blocked so many roads that schools there were closed Monday.
State Farm, Georgia’s largest property insurance company, said it is responding to the storm. “State Farm is assessing the damage and speaking with our customers who were impacted by the severe weather. Additional resources are being deployed. Customers with damage should call their agent and/or visit www.StateFarm.com” State Farm spokesperson Justin Tomczak said.
