Pine Mountain Georgia Fire Department News

November 16, 2011
Firefighters Help Neighbors After Tornado Strike

For the second time in 2011, Harris County was struck by a tornado and Pine Mountain firefighters responded to help neighbors.

On Wednesday, November 16, a tornado struck Hamilton causing widespread destruction.

Later classified as an EF2, the tornado was first reported to have touched down in Harris County in the Lake Harding area. From there it ripped through Hamilton, leaving a trail of damaged buildings from west to east. It was reported to have touched down again near Shiloh before dissipating.

Hamilton suffered the most damage with the tornado hitting the city shortly before 2 a.m.

A tornado warning had been issued and school system officials had moved students into hallways and other safer areas.

Near Hamilton, the tornado struck the Harris County Community Center, a new facility under construction. The winds ripped metal siding and roofing from the building and appeared to have broken some of the windows that had already been installed.

The tornado then struck the Mobley Court subdivision area, damaging homes and uprooting numerous trees.

Harris County High School was next in the path of the tornado which damaged a field house located at the football ball. The main buildings of the school are concrete block with brick and metal façade. Some of the metal was pulled away from the sides and roof. A number of cars in the parking lot were damaged.

As the tornado brushed the northern end of Hamilton, it continued to uproot trees and bring down power lines.

A piece of flying debris struck a propane storage tank at Dowdell Gas Company, ripping gas lines and sending propane gas spewing into the air. Dowdell Gas Company is located at the corner of U.S. Hwy. 27 and Carver Circle and that issue, along with downed power lines on U.S. Hwy. 27 and downed trees tangled in power lines resulted in U.S. Hwy. 27 being closed for some time.

The tornado then crossed U.S. Hwy. 27 and followed along Ga. Hwy. 116 East, damaging the Harris County 911 Center and Hamilton EMS station. It destroyed a storage building and parking shed used by EMS.

The Harris-Talbot Service Center, Harris County Senior Center, Harris County Work Camp all suffered damage. Luckily, the staff of the senior center had gathered clients into the computer room, the most secure room in the building.

A section of roof at Harris County Vehicle Maintenance collapsed, narrowly missing workers and inmates inside the building.

The Harris County Animal Shelter suffered extensive damage and a home located near the shelter was completely destroyed.

The Hamilton fire station suffered damage to the apparatus bay doors, and firefighters had to cut away the doors before they could respond to calls.

The tornado also destroyed the Agricenter building located near the Mike Tracey Arena.

Pine Mountain Fire Department sent the first crew to help shortly after 2 p.m. with Squad 12 responding in the city and then to the high school. Squad 12 would serve as sector command at the high school.

Engine 1202 was summoned and responded about 2:15 p.m. The engine crew was sent to a location near Dowdell Gas Company, and was subsequently moved to Park Elementary School. The leaking propane gas was collecting in a low area located between the gas company and Park Elementary School.

Three other Pine Mountain firefighters responded to assist as they became available.

Pine Mountain firefighters served in a number of capacities during the event including responding to medical calls, cutting downed trees, and assisting in traffic control. The last Pine Mountain firefighters cleared the scene shortly before midnight.

Most of Harris County’s fire departments sent resources to assist Hamilton after the tornado.

The tornado traveled a total of 26 miles in Harris County, reportedly damaging a total of 30 structures and destroying two.

No fatalities were reported though a number of injuries did occur.

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