Thunderstorm Wind in Floyd County, Georgia

A man was crushed and killed in Rome when thunderstorm winds toppled a large pine tree onto the tractor he was driving. Thunderstorm winds downed several large trees and power lines in Rome which caused 1,200 residents to loose electric power for up to an hour. (M61O)

The Floyd County Emergency Management Director reported that strong thunderstorm winds, likely well in excess of 60 mph, caused widespread and extensive damage across the county. Some of the worst damage was in the Cave Spring area. All together, 157 homes and 13 commercial buildings sustained minor to moderate damage or were destroyed, many from downed trees. Four injuries were reported during this event, three which occurred when a large tree fell on a vehicle and a fourth when a large tree fell on a home and injured an elderly lady. Over 300 trees were down across the county causing 32 roads to be closed. Over 15,000 homes and many businesses across the county were left without power for several hours. Both Shorter University and Berry College were closed as neither institution had any power at the start of the business day. The Emergency Manager estimated that monetary damages from this countywide thunderstorm wind event exceeded the damage that occurred later in the day with an EF2 tornado, during which the damage was more localized.

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that extensive damage to trees in the south part of Rome toward Lindale was the result of strong straight-line thunderstorm winds, estimated to be on the order of 80 mph. Up to 100 trees were uprooted or blown over in this area. Two dozen homes sustained moderate to major damage. One home was crushed by a very large tree which fell right across the middle of the structure. In addition, at least five roads across the county were also closed as a result of downed trees.