Power Outage in Palmetto, GA

The Fulton County Emergency Management Director reported that several trees and power lines were down across the south end of the county from Palmetto to College Park, but a number of trees were down across the central and northern part of the county as well. Trees were down on Old National Highway/Georgia Highway 279 and also Flat Shoals Road. Several large trees also fell across the Georgia Tech campus, just north of downtown Atlanta. One large downed tree caused significant damage to two dormitories and resulted in the displacement of 32 residents. The public reported that trees and power lines were down in the central and northern part of the county in the Midtown area of Atlanta. While not occurring during this actual event, a tree, weakened by the strong winds of these thunderstorms, fell on a 22-year old male in north Atlanta at 815 am EDT the next morning. Widespread power outages were also reported throughout Atlanta and much of Fulton county following this event.

A damage survey team from the National Weather Service in Peachtree City concluded that an F2 tornado had touched down just east of Palmetto in the far southern portion of Fulton county near the Coweta and Fayette county borders. The tornado touched down near Interstate-85 and U.S. Highway 29 east of Palmetto and then traveled east into extreme northwest Fayette county. The tornado was rated an F2 and traveled a path of seven miles, of which approximately four miles occurred within Fulton county. The maximum path width was 1/4 mile wide. Roof damage was observed to a number of homes along the path of the tornado. At least six homes east of Palmetto had sustained major damage with large trees down on the structures. Additionally, a number of trees were down along the path along with several power lines. Specifically, the tornado began around 8225 Tatum Road. Numerous trees were down in this area and several homes had sustained roof damage. The chimney was destroyed on one home. The tornado then continued across the intersection of Johnson and Tatum Road to Gullatt Road. Several homes in this area had sustained roof damage and in fact, one home had completely lost its roof. Numerous trees were either uprooted or snapped off along the path and several power lines were down as well. From this point, the tornado traveled toward the intersection of Bohannon and Kirkley Roads. Damage in this section was less extensive with just minor roof damage and only a few trees uprooted or down in the area. The tornado then crossed into Fayette county.