Severe storms have wreaked havoc across Georgia, leading to tragic fatalities and ongoing tornado threats. A flood watch has been issued for several counties, and power outages continue to affect thousands of residents.
On Sunday, April 7, 2025, two people tragically lost their lives at Bull Creek Golf Course in Muscogee County near Columbus. The victims, 58-year-old Matthew Terrell Collins Sr. and his 29-year-old son, Matthew Terrell Collins Jr., both from Harris County, were killed when a tree fell onto their golf cart during the storm. Emergency responders were unable to save them, and both were pronounced dead at the scene. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp shared condolences on social media, urging residents to keep the victims’ families in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
As the severe weather continued, the National Weather Service (NWS) began investigating the possibility of tornadoes across parts of Georgia. Areas south of metro Atlanta, including southeastern Coweta County, Spalding County, and Locust Grove along Interstate 75, may have been impacted by tornadic activity early on Monday, April 8. By 10 a.m., no tornadoes had been confirmed, but the NWS warned of the potential for further tornado development.
This follows a series of significant storm events in the region. Just a week earlier, Coweta County was hit by two tornadoes, including an EF-0 tornado with 75 mph winds and an EF-1 tornado with winds reaching 90 mph. While these tornadoes caused damage, no injuries were reported. In March, Paulding County experienced another EF-1 tornado, damaging homes but resulting in no fatalities or severe injuries.
In addition to the storm damage, thousands of Georgians have been left without power. As of Monday morning, more than 8,200 residents were still without electricity, according to PowerOutage.us. The storms have since shifted south and east, with Savannah now under a tornado watch until 6 p.m. Monday for coastal and southern Georgia. The NWS has also issued warnings for dangerous rip currents along Georgia’s beaches, particularly near Savannah, through Monday evening.
A flood watch has been issued for multiple counties, including Barrow, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, and DeKalb, lasting until 8 p.m. Monday. Residents in these areas are urged to stay alert as additional storms move through the region. The weather is expected to improve in the coming days, with cooler temperatures expected on Tuesday and Wednesday, although another round of storms could impact the state Thursday night.
As the storms continue to affect the region, the NWS advises residents to stay vigilant and follow official weather updates for safety.