Area damage minimal from weekend weather

May 12, 2008 08:01 pm

— By CINDY BISHOP
cindy.bishop@gaflnews.com

CORDELE — Although at one point over the weekend all of Crisp County was under a tornado warning, the area escaped any major damage, said Crisp County Emergency Management Agency Director Sheriff Donnie Haralson.
Haralson said he and other local emergency management officials watched the radar closely throughout the night Saturday and into Sunday morning after the National Weather Service in both Peachtree City and Tallahassee indicated a tornadic activity near the southwestern portion of the county. He added that the cell was headed this way from Sumter County, but basically “lifted as it was over Crisp County” and went over into Ben Hill County.
Haralson added that at one time – at approximately 7:15 a.m. Sunday – that all eight of the county’s tornado warnings sirens were sounding.
“We did have some reports of hail and strong winds, but no major damage that I’m aware of,” Haralson said. “It wasn’t until later in the afternoon that the gusty winds we had downed several trees and power lines.
“We really thought we were going to get hit this time, but once again we dodged another bullet.”