Newton County homes leveled by tornado

MANSFIELD, Ga. — The cleanup efforts continue after a tornado leveled homes in Newton County.

Severe Weather Team 2 meteorologist Brad Nitz said the National Weather Service confirmed the damage was due to a low-end EF-2 tornado in Newton and Morgan counties. It came through Friday afternoon, leaving a path of damage about 7 1/2 miles long.

Newton County Fire Chief Kevin O'Brien told Channel 2's Jeff Dore that as many as six homes were destroyed and up to six more severely damaged.

An elderly woman was trapped in a collapsed building and had to be extricated. She was taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries, the fire chief said.

Residents said they were caught off guard.

"All of a sudden, the wind started blowing really bad and my windows bowed in and it was gone, no sirens, no nothing," resident Amy Morgan said.

Channel 2's Kerry Kavanaugh said the worst damage is concentrated on Hardeman and Kellogg streets. She said there was debris everywhere and clothing scattered in the streets.

The next day, Channel 2's Amanda Cook was there as a cable company and a phone line repair company showed up for repairs. The Red Cross is providing lodging to residents seeking shelter.

WSBTV