Damage reported in Lee, Terrell Co. following Thursday’s severe weather

LEESBURG, Ga. (WALB) - Damage was reported in Lee and Terrell counties following Thursday’s First Alert Weather Day.

Lee County:

In Lee County, wind damage was reported.

It happened on Century Road and was reported shortly after 9 a.m.

A large pine tree snapped and one home had roof damage.

Bewey Rich said when the storm happened early Thursday morning, he was by his computer and heard a loud boom.

“When I heard the loud boom and then the whole house shake, I thought there was a problem. Then, when I got up and I walked into there and I saw the roof gone, and it was raining in on my bedroom and the family room,” Rich said.

When he walked outside, he saw the pine tree in his front yard had fallen — barely missing his home.

“I just thought well, the good Lord has spared me,” Rich said. “I’m in good shape.”

Rich told WALB he just replaced his roof two years ago after it was damaged by Hurricane Michael in 2018.

“To me, this was worse than it was when the hurricane hit two years ago,” he said.

Rich said he’s happy everyone in the neighborhood is okay. He isn’t sure if he will be able to stay in his home Thursday night because of the damage but said he can stay with a family member.

“It’s upsetting to see but I knew there was nothing I could do about it,” Rich said.

Rich said he’s a little shaken up, but he’s doing fine.

Damage was also reported on Laramore Road in Lee County.

Power outages were reported in the area because of downed trees on power lines. Sumter EMC restored power to all but one home so far, according to Lee County officials.

County officials said they are working with the National Weather Service (NWS) to determine the cause of the damage. An NWS official will be in Lee County on Thursday to assess the damage.

Terrell County:

Thursday’s severe weather also caused damage in Terrell County.

Karen Nichols, a Dawson homeowner, had damage to her property.

Nichols said the storm hit at 8 a.m. on Thursday. She was not home but her husband was.

“So, when I drove down our driveway seeing all our trees down I was like, ‘oh my goodness.’ I had to park halfway down the driveway,” Nichols said.

There were about two dozen downed trees. But downed trees weren’t the only damage. Part of her roof collapsed on her front porch.

“Then, I went around the back and the back porch is gone,” Nichols said. “I looked at both vehicles. Both vehicles are damaged.”

But there was a silver lining.

“I was on the verge of crying, ‘what do I do?’ It was within 20 minutes people started coming and gave me a piece of mind. In times like this, people come to your rescue,” she said.

The Nichols said they plan on staying in a hotel until their property is fixed.

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