Weather Service confirms tornado hit northwest Georgia

PEACHTREE CITY - The National Weather has confirmed that a tornado caused the turbulent weather in northwest Georgia that left two people dead.

Meteorologist Frank Taylor said the tornado touched down at 12:25 p.m. Saturday at the Polk-Floyd county line and hit parts of Polk, Floyd and Bartow counties.
He said the tornado packed winds of nearly 150 mph and traveled 16 miles before it lifted again at 12:45 p.m.

Floyd County Deputy Chief Coroner Tony Cooper said 71-year-old Jerry Albert was killed by flying debris. In Polk County, Coroner Trey Litesey said Bonnie Gene Turner, in her early 60s, was killed. A storm demolished her home and threw her and her husband into a field. Her husband survived.

The tornado followed an earlier tornado that hit downtown Atlanta on Friday night, injuring at least 27 people and causing an estimated $150-$200 million in damage.