National Weather Service Confirms Three Tornadoes Hit East Georgia
The National Weather Service has confirmed that three tornadoes touched down in east Georgia during severe storms on June 18.
One of those tornadoes may have played a role in a deadly incident in Putnam County, where two people were later killed after a tree fell onto a vehicle near the storm’s path.
EF0 Tornado Reported Near Flat Rock
Survey crews rated the tornado near Flat Rock in Putnam County as an EF0, with estimated peak winds of 80 mph.
The tornado was on the ground from about 9:04 p.m. to 9:07 p.m. and traveled roughly 2.6 miles. Its maximum width was estimated at 100 yards.
Officials said two people died and two others were injured the next morning when a tree fell onto a vehicle close to the tornado’s track. The weather service said it is likely, though not confirmed, that the storm weakened the tree before it fell.
Because the deaths and injuries happened after the tornado and were not caused by a direct tornado strike, they are being classified as indirect.
Second EF0 Tornado Moved Into Greene County
A second tornado, also rated EF0, developed around 9:19 p.m. near Rockville in Putnam County.
That storm had peak winds of about 85 mph and traveled approximately 4.4 miles into Greene County near Lake Oconee before ending around 9:24 p.m.
No injuries or deaths were reported from this tornado.
Strongest Tornado Rated EF1
The strongest tornado from the June 18 storm system was rated EF1, with estimated peak winds of 90 mph.
It touched down at about 8:51 p.m. in Jones County near Blountsville and traveled more than 10 miles through Baldwin and Putnam counties before lifting around 9 p.m.
The tornado reached a maximum width of 175 yards. Officials reported no injuries or fatalities connected to this storm.
More Survey Details Still Expected
The National Weather Service is continuing to complete storm surveys from the June 18 severe weather event.
Additional details and full survey summaries for all three tornadoes are expected to be released in the coming days.
The June 18 storms produced three confirmed tornadoes across east Georgia, including two EF0 tornadoes and one EF1 tornado. While no direct tornado fatalities were reported, one Putnam County tornado may have weakened a tree that later fell onto a vehicle, killing two people and injuring two others. Final survey details from the National Weather Service are still pending.