National Weather Service Confirms Three Tornadoes Hit East Georgia
The National Weather Service has confirmed that three tornadoes touched down across east Georgia during the severe storms that moved through the region on June 18.
One of those tornadoes may have played a role in the deaths of two people in Putnam County, though officials are classifying the deaths as indirect.
EF0 Tornado Confirmed Near Flat Rock
Survey teams 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., traveling roughly 2.6 miles. It reached a maximum width of 100 yards.
Officials said two people were killed and two others were injured the next morning when a tree fell onto a vehicle near the tornado’s path. The weather service said the storm likely weakened the tree, but that connection has not been confirmed with certainty.
Because the deaths and injuries happened after the tornado and were linked to storm damage rather than a direct tornado impact, they are being counted as indirect.
Second EF0 Tornado Crossed Into Greene County
A second tornado, also rated EF0, formed at about 9:19 p.m. near Rockville in Putnam County.
This tornado had estimated peak winds of 85 mph and traveled about 4.4 miles into Greene County near Lake Oconee before lifting around 9:24 p.m.
No injuries or deaths were reported from this tornado.
Strongest Tornado Rated EF1
The strongest tornado confirmed from the June 18 storms was rated EF1, with estimated peak winds of 90 mph.
It touched down at 8:51 p.m. in Jones County near Blountsville and traveled more than 10 miles through Baldwin and Putnam counties before lifting at about 9 p.m.
The tornado reached a maximum width of 175 yards. No injuries or fatalities were reported from this storm.
Additional Storm Survey Details Still Pending
The National Weather Service is still completing storm surveys connected to the June 18 severe weather event.
More 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, officials say one Putnam County tornado may have weakened a tree that later fell onto a vehicle, killing two people and injuring two others. Additional National Weather Service survey details are still expected.