Severe Storms Cause Damage in Macon, Georgia

A U-Haul truck overturned and trees were downed during a morning thunderstorm with tornado potential.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 2:52pm

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A severe thunderstorm with tornado potential struck Macon, Georgia on Monday morning, March 16, 2026, causing significant damage. A U-Haul truck flipped over at a storage facility, and fallen trees blocked several roads in the area. The Macon-Bibb County Emergency Management Agency reported that crews were dispatched to assess conditions and clear roadways as needed.

Why it matters

Severe weather events like this can pose risks to public safety and cause disruptions to transportation and infrastructure. The incident highlights the importance of emergency preparedness and response in communities that are vulnerable to extreme weather.

The details

According to eyewitness Jerome Sullivan, the U-Haul truck flipped over at the Store Here Self Storage facility on Riverside Drive after a tornado-like wind touched down. Sullivan, who was visiting his storage unit, said the storm struck suddenly and with great force. Several roads were blocked or delayed due to uprooted trees and fallen branches, including Pierce Avenue, Riverside Drive, Rivoli Drive, and Thomaston Road near Heritage Elementary School.

  • The severe thunderstorm with tornado potential occurred on Monday, March 16, 2026.

The players

Jerome Sullivan

An eyewitness who was visiting his storage unit at the time of the storm and saw the U-Haul truck flip over.

Macon-Bibb County Emergency Management Agency

The local emergency management agency that reported crews were dispatched to assess damage and clear roadways.

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What they’re saying

“I was about to head home, and when I seen all that dark cloud, it touched down, seen the wind. That's the severity of it, and it can happen in the blink of an eye.”

— Jerome Sullivan

What’s next

The Macon-Bibb County Emergency Management Agency will continue to assess the damage and coordinate cleanup efforts in the affected areas.

The takeaway

This severe weather event underscores the importance of being prepared for sudden and powerful storms, which can cause significant damage and disruption to a community in a matter of minutes. It serves as a reminder for residents to stay vigilant and heed weather warnings to ensure their safety.