Irwin tornado confirmed F-2
Published 10:45 am Saturday, December 21, 2019
OCILLA, Ga. — The Tuesday tornado that touched down in Irwin County and ended in Ben Hill County has been confirmed as an F-2, according to the National Weather Service.
After touching down in “central Irwin County,” the tornado travelled nearly 20 miles and hit an estimated peak windspeed of 125 miles per hour.
“Despite significant damage to dozens of homes, there were no injuries or fatalities associated with the storm,” a preliminary NWS report states.
The tornado headed east-northeast towards Mystic after landing, causing significant damage.
“Continuous damage…mainly downed trees and damaged barns…persisted along a wide path as the tornado continued moving,” the report states.
More than a dozen homes in a neighborhood south of Fitzgerald were damaged, with “several experience complete loss.”
Several RVs were rolled over and damaged as well.
The tornado crossed into Ben Hill County, where it damaged homes, destroyed several barns and snapped hundreds of trees, according to the report.