1975: Tornadoes in Georgia leave a trail of destruction

The morning of March 2, 1975 dawned warm and humid across Georgia. As the day wore on in Atlanta temperatures continued to climb, meanwhile across the Mississippi Valley a strong cold front was heading eastward. As that frontal system gathered momentum and pushed into the warmer weather, a strong line of severe thunderstorms erupted across Alabama. By afternoon violent weather was approaching Atlanta and tornados developed. One Tornado took direct aim on the Georgia governor’s mansion in Atlanta. First the twister touched down in a housing development known as Perry Homes, then lifted up after leaving at least 100 apartments there severely damaged and a small shopping center destroyed. Displaced residents were moved to nearby schools, motels and other buildings. Soon the Governor’s Mansion was in its sight,  The Mansion, newly built and only 8 years old, sat roughly midway on the eight‐mile‐long path of destruction caused by the tornado. In some places, the path was more than a quarter of a mile wide. According to the New York Times, Gov. George Busbee was forced to flee to safety in the center section of the Mansion. Elsewhere around the city, disaster officials reported, about 500 homes and businesses were badly damaged, 50 persons were injured and 3 people died.

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