GRIFFIN, Ga. — The National Weather Service office in Peachtree City has confirmed at least 5 tornadoes from Thursday evenings storms thus far, one of which is an EF-3 that struck the northside of Griffin.
The other three confirmed so far have been rated EF-2s.
EF-2: Troup County
The first of the four confirmed touched down just inside the Alabama state line, south of the LaGrange airport. It traveled for just over 12 miles before lifting. More information will be provided at the start of the week.
EF-2: Meriwether, Spalding Counties
The same storm dropped another tornado shortly after in Meriwether County. This tornado was on the ground for almost 30 miles, crossing into Spalding County.
This tornado mainly downed trees. However, a mobile home along Allie Road separating from its undercarriage was sufficient to prompt the EF-2 rating.
EF-3: Spalding, Pike Counties (Griffin)
As the second tornado was lifting, the tornado that would eventually become an EF-3 formed just east of the Flint River, crossing into Spalding County.
The EF-3 rating was assigned based on damage found along Kendall Drive, west of Griffin. The tornado then tracked just to the north of downtown Griffin, crossing US-41 near the local Walmart and Chick-fil-A. Part of the roof on Hobby Lobby collapsed at this time.
From there, the tornado tracked just south of the Sun City Peachtree Golf Club, lifting before reaching McDonough Road. The tornado was on the ground for nearly 20 miles.
EF-2: Spalding, Butts Counties
Lastly, another tornado formed to the south of the EF-3 as it was lifting, near the intersection of Arthur K Bolton Parkway and McDonough Road. It downed trees in the area before crossing Interstate 75 in Spalding County near Jenkinsburg Road.
From there, the tornado struck the southwest side of Jenkinsburg before lifting along Georgia Highway 36.
The official report with the details of wind speed, length, and width will be release in the coming days, along with additional tornado confirmations. Check back to 13WMAZ for updates.