Father, Son Killed After Tree Falls On Golf Cart Amid GA Storms

GEORGIA — Severe weekend storms in Georgia, where a flood watch is in effect Monday, killed two people on a golf course after a tree fell on their golf cart, weather officials told Patch.

For the second time in a week, Coweta County and surrounding areas may have been rocked by another tornado. On Sunday, two people at Bull Creek Golf Course in Muscogee County near Columbus were killed, National Weather Service meteorologist in charge Keith Spellman told Patch.

A tree crushed their golf cart with them in it during the storm at the Midland course, Spellman said.

Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan identified the two killed as father-son duo and Harris County residents 58-year-old Matthew Terrell Collins Sr. and 29-year-old Matthew Terrell Collins Jr., WTVM reported.

"Marty, the girls, and I are saddened by the tragic deaths of two Georgians in Muscogee County today as a result of the severe weather," Gov. Brian Kemp said in a Facebook post published Sunday. "We ask that you join us in keeping their loved ones in our thoughts and prayers, along with all those responding to storm damage."

After Sunday's tragedy, the storms were not yet done. Spellman said the NWS is investigating three possible tornadoes from Monday morning's severe weather.

Around 7 a.m. or 8 a.m., the storm damaged areas south of metro Atlanta, he said. While the NWS suspected it was a tornado, Spellman said the tornadic activity could not be confirmed around 10 a.m.

He surmised a twister could have been rooted in southeastern Coweta County before traveling across Spalding County, northwest of Griffin.

He was unsure if Henry County was impacted but noted investigators were looking into a possible tornado in Locust Grove near Interstate 75.

They were also investigating damage, potentially from a tornado, along Interstate 16, southwest of Macon.

If confirmed, the twisters would add to the series of tornadoes that multiple Georgia counties have recently faced due to severe storms.

Exactly a week ago, an EF-0 tornado with 75-mph winds spun on the ground in Coweta, spanning nearly 5 miles. Then, at least a half-hour later, an EF-1 tornado that was more than 6 miles wide landed in Henry and traveled at 90 mph. In mid-March, Paulding County had its own bout with an EF-1 twister.

No injuries or fatalities were reported in either of the storms, but at least a dozen homes were damaged in Paulding.

The recent systems have not only be deadly and destructive, but they left thousands of people without power. More than 8,200 people did not have power as of late Monday morning, according to the tracker, poweroutage.us.

A flood watch is in effect until 8 p.m. Monday for Barrow, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Morgan, Newton, Fulton, Rockdale, Walton, Clarke and several other counties.

Spellman said the storm systems were shifting south and east of metro Atlanta, likely headed toward Savannah, where a tornado watch is in effect until 6 p.m. Monday for coastal and south Georgia.

The NWS reported Georgia beaches, including those along the Savannah area, are at risk for dangerous rip currents through Monday evening.

Georgia may expect improved but cooler weather in the days to come, Spellman said. Low temperatures could touch the upper 30s or low 40s, while highs could sit in the 60s through Wednesday and possibly linger around 70 degrees by Thursday, he said.

Then, Spellman noted another round of storms are possibly on Thursday night. The system may not be severe, but Spellman warned, "It is still spring, and we will obviously have to pay close attention."

The NWS provides updates on Facebook and Twitter.

Here is the National Weather Service's detailed forecast for metro Atlanta as of late Monday morning:

Today: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 4 p.m.. Cloudy, with a high near 66. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. Northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 61. Northwest wind 10-15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 40. Northwest wind 5-10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 67. East wind 5-10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.

Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53.

Friday: A slight chance of showers before 11 a.m., then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 64.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 70.