Georgia Baptist churches largely escape damage from Monday storms

The Polk-Haralson Baptist Association sign suffered extensive damage, but all told Georiga Baptist churches escaped relatively unscathed from Monday night's storms. JOHN MCBRIDE/Special

This story will be updated as information is received. 

BUCHANAN – The sign in front of Polk-Haralson Baptist Association will certainly need to be replaced. All told, however, Georgia Baptist churches emerged unscathed from storm damage last night. 

"The power company came out and removed a tree that had fallen on some lines behind the office," said John McBride, associational missionary. "The association sign was a loss. Both sides of it blown apart, metal twisted and coming off the frame. The awning across the street at the gas station is down, but we haven't had any reports of church damage."

The same system that brought extensive damage to Jacksonville State University, just across the state line into Alabama, hit Haralson County. Local schools are closed today due to downed trees and debris making it "impossible" for busses to transport students, the district announced on Facebook. McBride rode out the storm in his basement in Tallapoosa. 

'Everybody is here and working'

Speaking for Pastor Herman Parker, who was in a staff meeting, financial secretary Priscilla Herrin of First Baptist Bremen said the church hadn't been damaged and even still had power. "On the way in I saw debris in the roads, but everybody is here at the church and working," she noted.

A tree behind the Polk-Haralson Baptist Association building lies on power lines following Monday night storms in the area. JOHN MCBRIDE/Special

Fairburn Baptist Association ministry assistant Susan Cunningham stated she didn't see much damage on the way into the office this morning, but was aware of strong winds in other areas of south Fulton county. (Check back to this story for updates from local pastors on any damage at their churches.) 

Dan Dockery, associational missionary for Carrollton Baptist Association, reported trees and power lines down in the northern part of Carroll County. However, there were no fatalities, injuries, or storm damage to churches. The local Emergency Management Association director told Dockery the damage likely didn't come from a tornado but severe thunderstorms and high winds. 

"All our churches seem to be fine," said Dockery. "Joe Tanner, pastor of Pleasant Grove in Villa Rica, experienced damage to his carport and trees down in his yard. 

"I haven't heard from every pastor yet but from all indications everything seems to be okay here."