Storm Damage in Sumter County, Ga - 09/29/98

"Georges" Deals a Blow to Sumter County
Sep 29, 1998

Remnants of Hurricane Georges moved across southern Georgia on September 29, 1998. Although sustained winds were well below tropical storm force, squalls associated with this storm produced several tornadoes and wind damage in a number of counties.

Sumter County was one that was hard hit. Squalls there knocked down hundreds of trees and destroyed at least 11 homes. Although there were no deaths, 22 people were injured - one critically.

At 420 pm EDT the sheriff's office began receiving reports of funnel clouds in the southeast part of Sumter County. Reports of tornadoes, funnel clouds and wind damage continued from the eastern part of the county until around 640 pm. The trail of damage extended from near DeSoto north to Andersonville.

The county was under a tornado watch for much of the day. A tornado warning was posted from 605 pm until 640 pm.