Video captured Friday evening shows a tornado/waterspout moving over Lake Lanier in the Thompson Bridge and Mount Vernon Road area of Hall County. The tornado/waterspout formed around 6:45 p.m. Friday, May 2. Images of the severe weather event spread quickly online.
According to Hall County Emergency Management Director Zach Brackett, the county’s 911 dispatchers began receiving reports around 6:50 p.m. of a possible tornado in the area of Thompson Bridge Road.
“Although an official tornado warning was not issued, 911 staff went ahead and activated our outdoor warning sirens due to numerous creditable [sp] sightings,” says Brackett.
He says Hall County Emergency Management has been in contact with the National Weather Service regarding this event, and officials have seen the many videos online showing an apparent tornado.
“Once the active weather ceases, we will work with the National Weather Service to have a storm survey performed,” he says.
Late Friday, Director Brackett said emergency personnel were surveying the area and, at that time, had identified “limited structural damage.” Some trees were reported down near Lakewood Baptist Church on Thompson Bridge Road.
VIDEO Hall County tornado/waterspout
More severe weather possible this weekend
Several rounds of thunderstorms came through northern Georgia Friday afternoon.
Around 12:45 p.m., heavy rain and hail fell on Habersham. Pea-sized hail was reported north of Clarkesville, and throughout the day, people in Hall County, Stephens County, and points in between shared photos and reports of hailstorms and downed trees.
Severe weather forced Clarkesville and Toccoa to cancel evening outdoor events.
The Toast of Toccoa is one of that city’s signature events. Organizers decided to cancel it ahead of more severe weekend weather, stating, “the safety of our community, vendors, and visitors must come first.”
More heavy rain and hail fell across the area around 8:30 p.m. Friday.
Despite the severe weather, Habersham County E-911 Assistant Director Melanie Bellinger says one tree was reported down at 309 Joe Smith Road. So far, there have been no reports of any damage in Habersham and scattered reports of damage throughout the region.
With more storms in the forecast for the weekend, officials urge the public to stay alert to changing weather conditions.
Referencing Friday’s tornado/waterspout, Brackett says, “This event highlights the importance of taking all severe weather warnings seriously, as they can rapidly worsen. Please remain vigilant overnight as we continue to experience severe weather.”
