Deadly tornado blasts Atlanta, leaving two dead
Verona Murrell of the National Weather Service in Atlanta said their meteorologists had confirmed the damage was caused by a rare inner-city tornado ...
Twister tears through downtown Atlanta
Ga. Storms Kill 2 After Atlanta Twister
Atlanta Under Tornado Warning After Damaging Twister (Update1)
“Last night’s storms struck our capital city, a center for business, tourism and government, and we are working with city officials to support them during this disaster,” said Perdue.
The National Weather Service confirmed that at EF2 tornado hit the downtown Atlanta area Friday night.
The release said local, state and federal teams will examine the full scope of the damage to several tourist locations, including the Georgia Dome and the Georgia World Congress Center.
Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin also declared a state of emergency for the city.
She's urging people to stay indoors as much as possible.
The following is the Governor's executive order:
Whereas: On March 14, 2008, a severe weather system, including tornadoes, moved into the State of Georgia resulting in numerous injuries and caused major destruction and damage to areas in the City of Atlanta - Fulton County; and
Whereas: The assistance of the government of the State of Georgia is necessary to protect the public health, preserve the safety of the public, keep property damage to a minimum, and to restore the social and economic welfare of the citizens in the City of Atlanta - Fulton County; and
Whereas: In light of these circumstances and in conjunction with the authority vested in the Governor by virtue of Article 3, Section 38-3-51, of the Georgia Emergency Management Act of 1981, as amended, to promulgate reasonable orders, rules and regulations as are deemed necessary to protect public health, safety and welfare, and to bring the emergency situation under control within the acknowledged limitations of the powers of the Governor.
Now, therefore, pursuant to the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Georgia, it is hereby
Ordered: That a State of Emergency exists in the City of Atlanta - Fulton County and that personnel and equipment resources of the State of Georgia be made available to assist in the response and recovery activities currently being undertaken in the City of Atlanta - Fulton County, and that the Georgia Emergency Management Agency activate the Georgia Emergency Operations Plan.
This 15th day of March, 2008.
Approximately 200 firefighters and 150 police officers are working with Public Works and Parks crews to clean up the worst hit areas.
Firefighters are focusing search and rescue efforts at the Cotton Mill Lofts, which suffered a partial collapse. There are four Georgia Search and Rescue teams working the building in three separate areas.
Georgia Power reported 15,000 residents are without power at this time.
The King Memorial Transit Station has been closed until MARTA officials can assess any structural damage.
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