By Beth Alston

AMERICUS — Clean-up was still in process Friday after severe thunderstorms pounded Sumter County on Wednesday, and an F1 tornado struck Schley County and Ellaville on Monday.
Americus Fire & Emergency Services responded to reports of trees and/power line down on North Hampton Street, North Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Brookdale Drive at Magnolia Street, Parker Street, Pinecrest Drive, Matt Hart Drive, Elm Avenue and Smith Street, Cornelia Drive and Wildwood Circle, and South Lee Street. There was only one incident of a tree on a structure, which was on Parker Street where a large tree fell, clipping the edge of the front stoop off a residence.

While clean-up efforts in Schley County and Ellaville continued, Sumter County Manager, Bill Sawyer told the Times-Recorder that all but about nine customers had their power restored by noontime Friday. Crewfrom Georgia Power Co. and the City of Ellaville worked around the clock to restore to power to some residents who were without for 24 hours or more. The Salvation Army went to Ellaville Monday evening after the tornado, and served four hot meals to residents until Tuesday night.

With two days of major weather incidents under their belts, local and area residents were looking forward to a mild and sunny weekend with cool nights.