Power Outage in Richland, GA

The Stewart County Emergency Manager reported trees and power lines blown down from Lumpkin to northeast of Louvale. Trees and power lines were down on Valley Road, Liberty Street and Broad Street in Lumpkin and along Moores Store Road northeast of Louvale.

A National Weather Service survey consisting of an analysis of measured wind data, along with reports from Emergency Managers and various other local, state and federal officials, found that tropical storm conditions occurred in the county. There were numerous reports of trees and power lines blown down and some damage to structures. Wind speeds were estimated between 45 and 55 mph.

The Stewart County Emergency Manager reported several small trees blown down along Highway 39C near Providence Canyon State Park. One of the trees brought down power lines.

The news media reported numerous trees and power lines blown across the county. Many customers were without electricity for varying periods of time. Radar estimated between 2 and 4 inches of rain fell across the county with 2.35 inches measured in Union. No injuries were reported.

The Stewart County Emergency Manager reported trees and power poles blown down along Highway 520 in Richland.

The Sumter Electric Management Cooperative (EMC) reported that several trees and tree limbs were down across the county. This brought some power lines down as well.

The Lumpkin County 911 Center reported that many trees and several power lines were down between Lumpkin and Richland and also along Georgia Highways 38C and 39 in the western and southwestern part of the county between Florence Marina State Park and Lumpkin. Several power outages were observed in the area as well.

The Lumpkin County 911 Center reported that many trees and several power lines were down between Lumpkin and Richland and also along Georgia Highways 38C and 39 in the western and southwestern part of the county between Florence Marina State Park and Lumpkin. Several power outages were observed in the area as well.

A storm survey conducted by the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia concluded that an EF1 tornado touched down just southwest of Richland in northeast Stewart county, traveled across the downtown area of Richland and lifted approximately one mile northeast of Richland. The tornado traveled a path of approximately 1.5 miles with a maximum path width of 250 yards. Around 50 homes and businesses sustained damage in the city of Richland. One commercial building at the intersection of Broad and Harris streets was destroyed when the exterior brick wall collapsed. The Harmony Baptist Church on Harmony and Ponder Streets, built in 1838, was also destroyed. Only two walls were left standing. A tractor-trailer at the intersection of U.S. Highway 280 and Georgia Highway 520 was lifted and dropped by the tornado causing the trailer to collapse and split in the center. In addition, a number of trees and power lines were down throughout the Richland area.

Georgia Power reported that a power line was down near Brooklyn.

The Stewart county emergency manager reported that power lines were down and there was debris on one of the roads which passes through the Hannahatchee Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA). It was initially believed to have been a tornado, but there was no confirmation of this by the National Weather Service, local, or state emergency management personnel.