Wind Gusts Bring Down Trees, Power Lines in Cherokee County

HICKORY FLAT, GA -- Cherokee County was not spared from the severe weather that blew through metro Atlanta and north Georgia Sunday evening.

Deputies with the Cherokee Sheriff's Office responded during the evening to several reports of trees and power lines that had been toppled.

Sheriff's office spokesperson Lt. Jay Baker said Avery Road in Hickory Flat, which is located between S.R. 140/Hickory Flat Highway and East Cherokee Drive, "appears to have received the most damage."

Several trees were brought down along the road near Avery Road's intersection with Hickory Flat Highway. Avery Road as well as Scott Road near S.R. 140 were closed overnight due to the toppled trees.

Baker said utility crews estimate both thoroughfares should reopen sometime Monday afternoon.

Robert Haynes, a forecaster with the National Weather Service, said with the soil being heavily saturated from the weekend downpours, the wind gusts could have "easily" brought down trees and power lines.

Haynes noted there were no severe weather or tornado warnings issued that could have played a role in the damage sustained Sunday evening.

The wind advisory issued Sunday evening by NWS is scheduled to expire at 7 p.m. Jan. 23.

Images via Cherokee Sheriff's Office