TROUP COUNTY, Ga. — A tornado blew through Troup County near LaGrange early Sunday morning causing extensive damage to dozens of buildings.
The Troup County Emergency Management Agency said they have "multiple crews out on search and rescue missions, reports of multiple buildings damaged or destroyed, power lines down, trees down blocking roads."
The Troup County Sheriff's Office said there were 80-100 homes with damage and that 20-30 homes had "major damage" or were "destroyed" and are now considered a complete loss in the West Point area.
They said there were five storm-related injuries reported as of 1:45 p.m., but they added that there have been no fatalities.
Anyone who wishes to contribute to storm victims is asked to go to the Georgia pages of The Salvation Army or Red Cross
Photos show homes leveled on West Point Road in LaGrange after the tornado touched down.
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11Alive viewer John Stone said there were homes leveled and possibly a church destroyed along West Point Road.
LaGrange Mayor-Elect Willie Edmonson said Hwy 29 was blocked and Interstate 85 has been cleared except for one lane. Edmonson added crews worked to rescue people who were trapped in a home.
"I do know that there were some people that were trapped in one of the houses, they (crews) got them out," Edmonson said.
There are reports that Verizon cell service is interrupted in the Troup County area. After the tornado came through a tiger reportedly is unaccounted for at Pine Mountain Animal Safari.
"As severe weather continues in these and other parts of our state, we urge Georgians to be mindful of how they can best keep themselves and their families safe," Gov. Brian Kemp wrote in a tweet.
Kemp later issued a state of emergency in response to the storms.
A second tornado was reported in Baldwin County near Milledgeville.
This is a developing story. Check back often for new information.
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