Storm causes damage in Clarkesville, Fairview

CLARKESVILLE - A severe thunderstorm that arrived in Habersham County around 5:30 p.m. Monday resulted in widespread damage.

Clarkesville Fire Chief Jerry Palmer, speaking from a command post inside the fire station that was operating off a generator, summarized that damage.

"It looks likes somewhere after the 5:30, quarter to 6 range ... we had at the very least some straightline winds and some microbursts come through the downtown area and the outskirts area of Clarkesville," Palmer said. "It caused some significant structural damage to a multitude of homes. Several vehicles have been destroyed, and countless trees, power lines, phone lines down."

The storm struck as many people were heading home from work.

Palmer described the situation as "rather hectic for a couple of hours."

Several major roads were affected, at least temporarily, by downed trees and utility lines.

"Also during that time the storm had knocked out our communications - or at least a little bit had knocked out communications - and we've had to weather through that," Palmer said. "But everybody has stuck together."

As in past emergencies in the city, other departments have responded quickly to assist however possible.

"We've had several mutual aid departments," Palmer said. "We've had Cornelia, Habersham, Tallulah Falls, EMS," Palmer said. "The mutual aid system is working once again. We've answered in the neighborhood of about 30 calls at this point. We've had about 30 personnel, 18 apparatus, five or six departments all converged here for the past three or four hours."

No injuries were reported.

"HEMC, I believe, is reporting some pretty good damage at their facility," Palmer said.

Nicole Dover, director of marketing and communications for Habersham Electric Membership Corp., confirmed that damage Monday night.

"There was wind damage to the roof of the truck shed and warehouse at the Clarkesville headquarters," Dover said. "No one was injured and the HEMC offices will be open for business tomorrow [Tuesday] morning."

Damage in the Clarkesville area included numerous twisted large trees.

"We did have some reports from different sources that there was a funnel cloud associated with this," Palmer said. "You can look at the damage, which is a little bit different from the last damage we had from a confirmed microburst. We'll let them get out here, those that know tornadoes a little bit better than we do, and check it out. Nevertheless, some damaging winds that came through in a hurry and luckily got gone in a hurry."

Several structures in and around Clarkesville were damaged by Monday evening's severe thunderstorm.

Habersham County Road Department crews work to clear trees from Beaverdam Road near Georgia 197.

Clarkesville sustained heavy damage from Monday evening's severe thunderstorm. One of the hardest hit areas was Pitts Park.

A number of large trees in and around Pitts Park in Clarkesville were downed during Monday evening's severe thunderstorm.

Pitts Park on Bridge Street suffered heavy tree damage during Monday's severe thunderstorm.

Mary Street, where several city facilities are located, was closed by storm debris.

This yard, at the corner of Grant Street and Mary Street in Clarkesville, suffered extensive tree damage.

A garage building on Grant Street at Mary Street in Clarkesville was heavily damaged during the storm.

Habersham Electric Membership Corp. headquarters on Georgia 115 at Beaverdam Road in Clarkesville suffered damage to the roof of the truck shop and warehouse during the storm. This view from behind the facility shows debris along the fence.

Clarkesville Fire Chief Jerry Palmer operates a command post inside Clarkesville Fire Department, which was running on generator power Monday night.

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