The National Weather Service hasn’t determined yet whether Forsyth was struck by a tornado on Thursday, March 12, but whatever it was left a lot of damage around the intersection of Hwy. 42 and Montpelier Road.
Fierce winds downed numerous trees in the area, taking down power lines and trapping residents in the Pecan Circle neighborhood. Homeowner David Bailey lost scores of pecan trees on his property at the new roundabout at Hwy. 42 and Montpelier.
Forsyth fire chief Kevin Bunn said GEMA hasn’t come to inspect the damage yet, but thus far, they’re saying it was just straight-line winds and not a tornado. Monroe County EMA chief Matt Jackson said he’s sent photos and data to the National Weather Service to get a ruling on whether it was a tornado that hit around 6:30 a.m. Thursday. Expecting storms, Monroe County schools had delayed opening until 9 a.m.
City of Forsyth police, fire, public works and utility departments worked diligently to assess damage, restore services, and clear roadways as quickly as possible.
Sharp Street, Highway 42, and Pecan Circle were the most heavily impacted areas. Sharp St. was impassable due to fallen trees. Two tree crews worked to clear debris throughout the city, including one local team and an out-of-town crew.
Fierce storms were predicted again on Monday, March 16, but this time they weren’t quite as destructive.
“We were very fortunate,” said Chief Bunn. “We dodged another bullet.”
Bunn was asked if the Lord might be registering unhappiness with the new roundabout at the corner of Montpelier Road and Hwy. 42, Bunn shrugged and noted that wayward local drivers had already beat the storm to the task of taking down the roundabout signs.
