Wednesday storms cause damage in Appling

As isolated thunderstorms rolled into the Augusta area Wednesday, damage was left in their path in Appling when straight-line winds knocked down trees and overturned a tractor-trailer parked near I-20.

The National Weather Service said the damage was likely not from a tornado, due to the pattern of destruction with trees all falling in the same direction. However, straight-line winds can resemble a weak tornado reaching speeds up to 100 miles per hour, meterologist John Quagliariello said.

A severe thunderstorm warning was in effect when the winds came through Appling. Quagliariello said it is important that residents take those warnings seriously and prepare for strong winds like those on Wednesday.

The possibility for isolated severe weather will continue Thursday and Friday and could produce more high wind activity. The chances for storms will decline over the weekend with only rain forecast on Saturday and Sunday, Quagliariello said.