HEMA reflects on recent Houston County storm

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A tree lays in the middle of a roadway with a downed power line underneath. Leaves, branches and various debris are scattered across the roadway. — A fallen tree takes out power lines near the intersection of Gawin Drive and Carl Vinson Parkway in Warner Robins as a severe storm sweeps through Houston County. (Courtesy: City of Warner Robins)

HOUSTON COUNTY — Many places in Houston County were left picking up pieces after a recent storm swept through the area Monday afternoon.

Luke Culver, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, confirmed two EF0 tornadoes in the region, one in Centerville and one that traveled from northeastern Peach County into north Houston County. Peak winds were upwards of 75 miles per hour.

David Newman, deputy director for the Houston County Emergency Management Agency, said the northeast side of Centerville into northwest Warner Robins, along Elberta Road to Greenbriar Road, was most affected by the storm.

According to Newman, damage was not extremely catastrophic: mostly downed trees and power lines. The agency knew of some trees falling on houses but reported no entrapments or injuries.

Crews worked after the storm on Monday to clear roadways and restore power. Newman said roadways were cleared in a few hours, and power was restored sometime later. Private property damage depends on the owner, so HEMA did not have an estimate on full restoration.

Newman highlighted a resilient community during the cleanup.

“[In] several of the neighborhoods that we went into, there were people already out that were not impacted by the storm assisting their neighbors that were. You know the resiliency that Houston County has with our Public Works and roads and bridges divisions, as well as our local power companies getting out, getting quick access and getting power restored for everybody … It was really nice to see the assisted efforts from everybody while we were out,” Newman said.

Culver said tornadoes are common, especially in the spring, due to gulf moisture and strong southerly winds.

“You get strong southerly winds that bring in high dew points and moisture over the region. At the same time, you also have the winds kind of turning clockwise with height, turning from south to southwest to west as you go up in the atmosphere. That’s what allows storms to spin and that spin is what can eventually produce a tornado,” he explained.

Newman advised to monitor weather conditions and be prepared in advance for storms.

When a tornado warning is issued by the NWS, Culver advised to seek shelter in the lowest and most interior part of a sturdy building.

Keep up with updates on HEMA’s Facebook page.