The National Weather Service has confirmed that an EF-1 tornado touched down in the Jefferson area early Thursday morning as storms rolled through North Georgia.
Although no injuries were reported after the system moved through Jackson County during the 4 o'clock hour, the tornado and its attendant winds damaged dozens of homes and downed a large number of trees, which in turn caused additional damage to property.
Jefferson Fire Chief Mark Duke said in social media release Thursday evening that the tornado touched down near Evans Funeral Home on Winder Highway, then traveled roughly 3 miles to the Jefferson River Road area before dissipating.
"In all we located 44 homes, 1 church, 4 out buildings, and 3 cars with damage, in addition to the 60-plus trees that were down," he explained. "We are pleased to say no one was injured and those who were displaced have been assisted."
According to officials with the National Weather Service, the tornado cut a half-mile-wide path as it moved through the area.
Jefferson Police Chief Joe Wirthman, speaking with the Georgia News Network, said because so many trees were down, several streets on the south side of Jefferson were closed for the morning rush hour.
Duke expanded on Wirthman's comments, saying: "All streets are open now, but there is still clean-up to do over the next few days."
