Cherokee County Reels Under Tornado-like Downbursts

The Gist: The Clayton community of Cherokee County was struck by potent straight-line winds, causing widespread damage and leaving thousands without power.

The winds, reaching speeds of up to 95 mph, are on par with an EF-1 tornado, but no tornadic activity was confirmed.

What Happened? This morning, the National Weather Service performed a survey of Cherokee County’s damages, focusing on Clayton and its surrounding areas. The assessment revealed a series of smaller downbursts in a 3-4 mile wide damage zone along Upper Burris Road, Land Road, and Hwy 108, among several secondary roads connecting these main paths.

These downbursts hit with incredible intensity, producing 90-95 mph winds within concentrated areas. Further damage across Northern and Eastern Cherokee County was also due to these strong winds. No signs of tornado-induced circulation were identified.

By The Numbers:

• 3-4: The width in miles of the primary damage area.
• 90-95: The estimated wind speeds in mph in the smaller downbursts.
• 3,800: The number of customers currently without power due to storm damage.

Why It Matters: The weather event’s severity has caused extensive infrastructure damage, leading to a significant power outage affecting nearly 4,000 customers, primarily in the eastern part of the county. Some roads remain closed due to fallen wires or broken utility poles, hampering movement and restoration efforts.

What’s Next? Cherokee County EMA staff will continue damage assessment over the coming days. Simultaneously, utility crews from North Georgia are working diligently to restore power, grappling with significant infrastructure damage to the local power distribution system. Roads currently closed due to safety hazards are expected to reopen as soon as possible.

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