Weather Service: Monday tornadoes in Walton, Oglethorpe counties

The National Weather Service says yes, those were tornadoes: Monday twisters touched down in Walton and Oglethorpe counties. The Weather Service had already confirmed tornadoes in Fulton and Douglas counties.

From WSB TV…

President Joe Biden has declared a major disaster for areas of Georgia hit by March’s breakout of tornadoes that devastated the city of Newnan and several other counties.

“Federal funding is available to state, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms and tornadoes in the counties of Coweta, Fannin, Gilmer, Heard, Lumpkin, Pickens, Rabun, and White,” the White House announced in a statement on Wednesday.

At its widest, the tornado was more than a mile wide as it moved through downtown Newnan. Its maximum wind speed was 170 mph, which was an EF-4 tornado.

The tornado was on the ground for at least 38.9 miles.

Officials said at least one person who had a medical emergency died during the storms as emergency crews were trying to get to him. Other people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Parts of Heard, Bartow and Polk counties saw significant damage as well from the storms.

The funding will help supplement state and local recovery efforts from the storms.

Cox Media Group