CANTON, Ga. — A powerful weather system unleashed severe thunderstorms across the Southeast US, causing widespread damage, power outages, and a tragic death. A 27-year-old man lost his life in Cherokee County, Georgia, when a tree fell on his moving car. Fortunately, no passengers were inside the vehicle.
The storms knocked out power to more than 200,000 customers in Georgia alone, with outages spreading across southeastern Tennessee and northern Georgia. By Wednesday morning, power had been restored to many, but around 30,000 residents remained without electricity, particularly in the Ellijay area.
In Orangeburg, South Carolina, straight-line winds damaged the downtown area, tearing metal from roofs and wood from awnings. Cleanup efforts were underway, as city officials worked to clear the debris.
The severe weather also impacted suburban Nashville, Tennessee, where four firefighters sustained burns after lightning struck a house, causing a fire. Three firefighters were released from the hospital, while one remained for observation due to smoke inhalation.
Further reports of damage included downed trees and blocked roads across southeastern Tennessee and northern Georgia, with similar conditions in Kentucky and North Carolina. In Hall County, Georgia, emergency crews worked overnight to clear main roads and address the continuing influx of calls for assistance with fallen trees.
The storm system followed a week of repeated heavy rains and thunderstorms in the region. In Murfreesboro, Tennessee, a weak tornado struck on Monday, causing minor damage at Middle Tennessee State University and uprooting trees. Despite the storm’s strength, which reached winds of 75 mph, no injuries were reported.
This severe weather comes on the heels of significant flooding in northeastern Vermont, where torrential rains have caused extensive damage and led to dramatic rescues. The recent storms highlight the ongoing challenges faced by communities across the Southeast and beyond as they deal with extreme weather events.
