Photo: Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images
Brian Kemp, Governor of Georgia, stated state of emergency after the impact of tornadoes and storms in various areas of the entity this Sunday.
“I issued a state of emergency order following the severe storms and tornadoes that hit this morning. As we continue to monitor the weather and work with local partners to address damage throughout the day, I ask all Georgians to join us in praying for those affected,” the governor said on Twitter.
A severe storm system reached Georgia in the morning hours of this Sunday producing thunderstorms, high-velocity straight-line winds, and multiple tornadoesaccording to the statement issued by Kemp, which is set to expire on April 3.
I have issued a State of Emergency order following the severe storms and tornadoes that struck this morning.
As we continue to monitor the weather and work with local partners to address damage throughout the day, I ask all Georgians to join us in praying for those impacted. pic.twitter.com/GhDLU6g80u
— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) March 26, 2023
The National Weather Service announced earlier that parts of central Georgia and southern Alabama were under a tornado watch. In addition, the agency explained that Scattered hail potentially the size of tennis balls and isolated wind gusts up to 70 mph were possible in the area.
Ella Dorsey, a meteorologist for Atlanta News Frist, confirmed that A tornado impacted the town of West Point this Sunday.
Initially, there were no reports of loss of life or injuries.
Authorities report that the Georgia Red Cross opened a shelter in West Point due to severe damage from a storm that hit the town, so people who need emergency assistance can call 1-800-733-2767 or Visit the RedCross.org website.
Twenty-three Georgia counties remained under tornado watches as of 1:00 p.m. ET Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. This includes cities like Macon, Sparta, and Pine Mountain.
Sunday morning, President Joe Biden declared a major disaster in Mississippi and ordered federal aid to supplement recovery efforts.
The Mississippi Weather Service warned that new tornadoes could occur in the next few hours although in the southern part of the state, not in the counties most affected by the events that occurred Friday night, Carroll, Humphreys, Monroe and Sharkey.
For its part, the National Weather Service reported that severe electrical storms will persist until tonight in a large part of the southern and southeastern states.
After an initial figure of 23, yesterday the number of deaths was increased to 25 and until now it remains the same, although several missing persons are still being searched for. Four people who were missing turned up alive yesterday afternoon.
Keep reading:
• Joe Biden declares an emergency in Mississippi after tornadoes and sends federal aid
• The death toll from tornadoes in Mississippi and Alabama rises to 26
• Powerful tornado in Mississippi leaves 23 dead and destruction in its path