Strong Thunderstorm Sweeps Through Cordele Area With Heavy Rain and Lightning
A fast-moving thunderstorm packed 40 mph winds and heavy lightning as it swept east across 15 communities in the Cordele region just before 6 a.m. Friday.
CORDELE, GEORGIA — A strong thunderstorm moved through the Cordele area early Friday morning, bringing heavy rain, frequent lightning, and winds up to 40 mph, according to the National Weather Service in Peachtree City.
The NWS issued a Special Weather Statement at 5:46 a.m. EDT on June 19, after radar detected the storm over Cordele. The storm was tracking eastward at 50 mph at the time of the alert.
Hazards and Expected Impacts
The NWS identified three primary hazards associated with the storm: winds up to 40 mph, frequent cloud-to-ground lightning, and heavy rainfall. Forecasters warned residents to expect minor damage to tree limbs and light, unsecured objects being blown around.
Heavy rain from the storm also raised the risk of temporary street flooding, particularly in areas with poor drainage, the NWS said.
Communities in the Storm’s Path
The National Weather Service listed 15 locations in the affected zone. Those communities include Cordele, Abbeville, Rochelle, Pitts, East Crisp, Richwood, Cedar Creek, Antioch Church, Pope City, Seville, Hatley, Pleasant View, Tremont, Wenona, and Owensboro.
The storm’s eastward trajectory at 50 mph meant conditions moved through affected communities quickly, though the combination of lightning and wind posed short-term hazards for residents outdoors or in vehicles.
NWS Monitoring Continues
The alert was radar-indicated, meaning NWS meteorologists in Peachtree City detected the storm’s characteristics through radar data rather than on-the-ground storm reports. Residents in the listed communities were advised to take precautions for the duration of the storm’s passage.
No injuries or structural damage reports had been issued at the time of the NWS statement. The weather service continues to monitor conditions across central Georgia.
