40 Tornadoes Hit Georgia During Recent Storms

ATLANTA, GA — A record 40 tornadoes hit Georgia on January 21-22, when a massive storm system blew through much of the state, taking lives and prompting U.S. officials to declare a disaster area.

According to the National Weather Service, that's the most tornadoes to hit the state during a single outbreak in recorded history.

The NWS recently completed its surveys of the storm, in which 16 people were killed and more injured, mostly in southwest Georgia.

All 40 of the tornadoes struck south of metro Atlanta, according to a Weather Service map of the event.

Four of the tornadoes were rated as at least EF2, with maximum estimated wind speeds more than 111 m.p.h., and two of the reached EF3, with winds higher than 136 m.p.h.

President Donald Trump declared a major disaster area in south Georgia after the tornadoes and other storms hit.

The declaration ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in Berrien, Cook, Crisp, Dougherty, Turner and Wilcox counties, with more counties possibly to be added later.

To Get Help

Residents and business owners who suffered losses can begin applying for assistance by registering online or calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing and speech-impaired.

The toll-free numbers will operate from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

That aid includes grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and businesses recover from the storms that hit Saturday and Sunday.

The deadliest moment of the storms came when a powerful tornado blew through a mobile home park in Cook County, destroying homes and killing seven people.

In all, at least 21 people throughout the Southeast were killed in the waves of storms.

Image courtesy National Weather Service