Much needed rains with damaging winds hit area
by MCL staff writer

A mobile home on Moulton Road was destroyed by high winds.

Saturday night as many people were having Christmas parties, heavy rains and very high winds struck Miller County and Southwest Georgia, with some being tornadolike winds.

The much needed rain was welcomed as up to two inches were reported in some areas of Miller County. No one would have fussed if the rains kept coming due to one of the worst droughts on record in this area.

However, when the hot air met the cooler front from the north, it brought tornado watches to much of Southwest Georgia. Several county and state roads were covered with downed trees. Winds were also strong enough to knock out power lines, remove roofs and do damage to buildings.

The rains and high winds started about 6:30 p.m. Saturday evening, December 15, and lasted into the early morning hours. All rescue and road units were called out in the city and county as trees and

us this debris were removed from the highways and roadways.

The law enforcement agencies, road departments, fire and rescue units and ambulance service are to be commended for their help as the storm went through. Some of the crews were out until early Sunday morning aiding stricken areas and clearing roadways.

This steel bin was up in the tree in front of this home before it fell out onto the yard.

EMA director Debbie Henry reported that although there was considerable damage, no one was reported injured. Damage assessments are still

being gathered for this area.

Damages reported from the winter storm as late as Monday morning were as follows: seven single family homes with minor damage (mostly roof damage), one single family home with moderate structure damage (rear room torn off and roof damage), one church with minor roof damage to two separate buildings.

The reported agricultural losses to date is estimated at approximately $35,000.00. This includes nine storage sheds destroyed, two grain bins destroyed, one aluminum carport destroyed, one well destroyed along with well house, and two irrigation systems turned over or damaged.

There were numerous reports of tree damage and power outages. Some areas were still without power late Sunday morning, but it was restored as fast as the crews could get to them.

Along with the rain and high winds came a dramatic change in temperatures from 80º plus on Saturday evening to below freezing Monday morning.