Devastating tornado hits Atlanta-area county with no prior warning

• Tornado ripped through Henry County.
• Teen critically injured in McDonough.
• Residents caught off guard without prior alert.

A confirmed tornado ripped through several areas of Henry County on Thursday afternoon, leaving behind devastation, injured residents, and a community in shock.

The natural phenomenon touched down around 3:32 p.m. in the Blacksville area near McDonough and moved northeast at about 10 mph, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Peachtree City.

No alerts had been issued for the affected area at the time of impact.

The lack of warning caught residents off guard, giving them no time to prepare as they were hit by the fury of the tornado.

Tornado in Henry County leaves devastation

NEW: A confirmed tornado ripped across a highway in Henry County, GA earlier today — terrifying footage shows drivers forced to stop as the tornado barrels across.?️ #GAwx pic.twitter.com/op1idy5cccu
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) May 29, 2025

The consequences were immediate: destroyed homes, downed trees, and debris scattered across the neighborhood.

The community of Laurel Creek, which is only five years old, was one of the most heavily impacted.

There, a man and his 18-year-old son were thrown into a nearby forest, leaving the teenager severely injured.

Henry County Deputy Police Chief Jason Bolton confirmed that the teenager is in critical condition and was transported to a hospital in Atlanta.

Laurel Creek: total destruction after the tornado

The magnitude of the damage in the area has left many residents shaken as they sift through the debris in search of any trace of their belongings.

Among the survivor testimonies, Courtney Bucio shared her terrifying experience, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.

“I looked through the sliding door and saw rotation and things flying,” she said. “I got down on my hands and knees and started praying,” she recounted about her reaction to the tornado threat.

Another resident, Andréal Mallard Sr., expressed his shock upon seeing the extent of the damage when he returned home.

Residents affected

“We have a house that is completely collapsed,” he said, while observing the destruction that now occupies the space where his home once stood.

“I was really surprised by the damage. As you can see, I have the structure of this house in my backyard. I’m glad we didn’t lose cars, I’m glad we didn’t lose lives,” he added.

Henry County continues to assess the damage as residents begin the long recovery process after this unexpected natural disaster.

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