Homeowners describe harrowing moments tornado barreled through neighborhood

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. — Officials say seven homes were damaged when an EF-1 tornado touched down in Walton County Wednesday night.

Channel 2's Christian Jennings was in Social Circle, where emergency managers say at least four homes are destroyed.

Homeowner Ella Borders, 94, told Channel 2 that she and her grandson were alerted to the tornado only minutes before it barreled over their home. They managed to escape with their lives after trees came crashing through the house.

“Only thing I can do is hold onto the chair. ‘Lord take care of us and here we are talking to you right now,’” Borders said.

Across the street, neighbor Rickey Duncan says he had time to get his kids from upstairs – but the tornado hit before they could make it to their safe place.

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“We got the weather alert across TV and cellphones and within two minutes of getting the alert, that tornado rolled through here,” he said.

After crews surveyed the area, the National Weather Service determined an EF-1 tornado with wind speeds of up to 100 mph hit the neighborhood.

Tim Peters' home, which has been in his family for more than a century, was also damaged.

"It happened that quick. It was over. I came out, looked at it and I started praying, thanking God that the community was safe. I mean, a house can be replaced," he said.

Cox Media Group