Thousands still without power after storms slam Ga

ADAIRSVILLE, Ga. (AP) Georgia's fire and insurance commissioner plans to fly over tornado-damaged areas in northwest Georgia Thursday, one day after storms demolished homes in Adairsville and overturned vehicles along nearby Interstate 75.

Fire Safety and Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens said he plans to fly back from a conference in Florida to assess the damage, beginning with a fly-over in Calhoun around 10:30 a.m. Thursday.

Georgia Power said 9,600 customers remained without power early Thursday morning, with 2,500 of them in hard-hit northwest Georgia.

By 5 a.m. Thursday, Georgia's electric membership cooperatives had reduced the number of its customers without power to fewer than 5,000 in north Georgia -- down from 14,000 Wednesday.

In Adairsville, 51-year-old Anthony Raines was killed when a tree crashed onto his mobile home. Several injuries were also reported.