Severe Storms Ravage Paulding County, Potential Tornadoes Cause Destruction

PAULDING COUNTY, Ga. — Severe storms swept through Paulding County late Saturday night into early Sunday morning, causing significant damage and prompting emergency responses. Paulding County Sheriff Ashley Henson reported that a gas station awning collapsed due to powerful winds near Highway 61 and Hay Renfroe Drive, leaving a significant footprint of destruction.

“The canopy was literally uprooted and was sitting on top of the store,” Henson said, emphasizing the severity of the storm’s impact.

The county was under a severe thunderstorm warning from 10:58 p.m. until 12:36 a.m., followed by a tornado warning from 11:48 p.m. to 12:02 a.m. The National Weather Service is expected to investigate the damage to determine whether a tornado touched down.

Reports from the area indicate multiple downed trees on roads, particularly on Mount Tabor Church Road and Villa Rica Highway. Traffic on Riverwood Drive at East Paulding Drive, Villa Rica Highway at Winndale Road, and Bobo Road at Folsom Extension has been disrupted due to debris.

In total, 663 Georgia Power customers in Paulding County were without electricity as of 5:44 a.m., mainly clustered around Dallas, Georgia. The sheriff noted that crews are responding to significant damage and urged residents to exercise caution with many power lines down across the county.

“We want to encourage everybody, once they wake up tomorrow morning, to be careful,” Henson advised, warning of hazardous conditions.

News crews on the scene, including 11Alive’s Melissa Nord, observed damage that may be consistent with tornado activity, especially in areas south of the Kroger shopping center and close to Paulding County High School. Paulding County Department of Transportation officials mentioned widespread reports of fallen trees and blocked roads throughout the county.

The emerging situation presents a concerning landscape. More than twenty reports of trees down on residences were recorded throughout the night. Fortunately, as of 3 a.m., no serious injuries had been reported.

Henson described the scene from his home, where he heard the storm intensifying. “It got really loud, and when I went outside, I saw dozens of trees down around my home,” he recounted. “I’m not a meteorologist, but I would estimate this was probably a tornado or something very strong.”

The sheriff urged residents to stay indoors and advised against traveling around the affected areas to allow emergency crews to conduct their work efficiently. “We don’t need sightseers,” he said. “We need people to stay out of the way.”

Additionally, he cautioned residents against potential scams from individuals offering tree removal services, warning them to only hire reputable companies and never to pay upfront.