CAIRO, Ga. (WTXL) — The National Weather Service confirms an EF-2 tornado touched down in the city of Cairo in Grady County, Georgia.
Cairo is just one part of our viewing area where residents are picking up the pieces after Sunday night's severe weather.
They know it's going to take some time before Cairo gets back to the way it was. But people have been telling me they're grateful no one was seriously hurt... and that they'll get through this together.
It's what makes this community "Syrupmaker Strong."
"It's like a bomb went off," said Thomas L. Smith, a Grady County resident.
"Just the noise and how quick it came and how quick it left," said Booker Gainor, the mayor of Cairo.
"The storm was literally right on our doorsteps," said Joe Ward, a Cairo native.
Some say it's a miracle no one died. If you look around, trees and roofs didn't stand a chance.
"When they say it's the sound of a freight train, they weren't kidding," said James Ward, another Cairo native.
Shattered glass. Mangled metal. Damaged roofs. But despite the mess, there's hope.
"God will make this community stronger by bringing the people together and helping where He can," said Smith, who's with the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
Residents didn't waste time. Neither did the crews. The mayor and governor also declared states of emergency, as Cairo slowly recovers.
"We really have a lot of boots on the ground," said Gainor. "Our volunteers have done a tremendous job with the search and rescue, so everyone is working together pitching in."
The county and Red Cross set up a temporary shelter at the Agriculture Center in Cairo. At least 20 percent of city utility customers lost power during the storm.
"We got this cold weather moving in that's going to cool things off," said Richard Phillips, the director of the Grady County Emergency Agency. "So, we're going to give them an opportunity to get out of the cold."
For some, this is the worst they've ever seen Cairo. But they're confident the city will bounce back.
"Cairo is a strong community," said Smith. "That's why we moved here."
"We have a good outpouring of volunteers, citizens who help their neighbors," said Philips.
"We'll show everybody what 'Syrupmaker Pride' is now, because this is real life," said Joe Ward.
"Our city has a great trait, and that's resilience. We can bounce back from anything," said Gainor. "We just ask the citizens to bear with us as we get the utilities back up and running. With the extent of the damage, our infrastructure was pretty damaged, as far as electric, and your cable, phone and internet."
County officials say people should avoid driving in areas where crews are working, because it's slowing down the clean-up process.
