GRIFFIN, Ga. — Neighbors in Griffin watched as a scary situation unfolded on Thursday when a tornado hit a Walmart.
The EF-2 storm tossed around carts and other debris outside the building and lifted portions of the roof off the store.
Originally the storm was reported to be an EF-3, but was later updated to reflect that it was an EF-2.
Friday night, the clean-up process was underway in Griffin, as crews worked on the outside of the Walmart on North Expressway in Griffin.
Channel 2′s Larry Spruill saw firsthand the widespread power outages throughout the city on Friday.
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There were multiple traffic signals out. The power outages left many people who call Griffin home in the dark.
Josh Wilson saw the damage at the Walmart right after the storm hit.
“I was like, wow, to see cars flipped over, damage that was done, I was just blown away,” Wilson said.
Wilson said he was leaving the parking lot minutes before the tornado touched down.
“I was just over here not too long ago. I saw the storm coming and saw it getting intense, but I didn’t think that this would happen,” he remembered.
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Channel 2 Action News viewer Alexander Lowry shared a video above the Hobby Lobby, just down the street from Walmart. The footage showed a massive hole in the roof where parts of the store were blown away during the storm.
The City of Griffin said about 7,400 people are still without power, but crews are working as fast as possible.
Meanwhile, Wilson said he’s still in disbelief about what all happened.
“I was glad it wasn’t me, but at the same time, on the other end, I’m kind of devastated for the people who were affected by that,” Wilson said.
The Spalding County Volunteer and Donated Goods Call Center will be open Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 220 East Solomon Street. They will take donations of non-perishable food items, gift cards, toiletries, and other personal items.
Residents can pick up tarps and water on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 220 East Solomon Street.
The Red Cross has opened a local shelter at First Methodist Church at 1401 Maple Street. Buses will be out in the community to pick up anyone who needs a ride.
The Red Cross will also have two locations open on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for residents to get food and supplies, First Methodist Church at 1401 Maple Street and Griffin First Assembly at 2000 West McIntosh Road. Buses will be out in the community to pick up anyone who needs a ride. Please call 770-228-3020 for more information.
The Local State of Emergency curfew will continue from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Residents are being told to stay in their homes or on their property.
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