PAULDING COUNTY, Ga. — On the night of March 15, 2025, the residents of Dallas, Georgia, found themselves caught in the ferocious grip of an EF-1 tornado. This natural disaster left many neighborhoods reeling, with damage reported across the area. Particularly hard-hit was the community around Pace Creek Lake, where the tornado formed and started its destructive path.
According to the National Weather Service based in Peachtree City, the tornado touched down at approximately 11:41 PM, traveling nearly 12 miles and wreaking havoc for about 12 minutes. Along its route, the tornado knocked down trees, damaged structures, and brought down power lines, impacting nearly 30,000 residents at its peak. Thankfully, by Monday afternoon, power crews had worked tirelessly to restore electricity to all but 364 customers.
One resident, John Bierman, described the aftermath of the storm saying, "It took 24 hours to get our power up, but what I saw was there was a disaster. They did a great job. Those guys are working hard on a Sunday to get power back up." Bierman had used his chainsaw to help cut logs and assist neighbors, demonstrating the community's spirit amid this crisis.
While many were grateful for their safety, others faced more harrowing experiences. The Burgess family was caught completely off-guard by the tornado. Zach Burgess recalled, “I didn’t hear any sirens, no warnings. The ceiling started to collapse, and I saw cracks — we had seconds to get downstairs.” His wife, Allison Burgess, confirmed the terrifying speed of the events, stating, “It was honestly just like the ceiling was falling apart. We had no idea what was happening until it was nearly too late.”
Concerns echoed throughout the community about the failure of any sirens to alert residents before the tornado arrived. Paulding County Emergency Management Agency Director Stephen Dooley addressed these concerns, explaining, "We do not have tornado sirens here. Instead, we rely on mobile phone alerts through our CodeRED system." This modern notification system aims to provide timely alerts to residents about severe weather, though some residents remain anxious about its effectiveness.
Contributing to the worries, meteorologist Melissa Nord from 11Alive pointed out, "Siren systems were originally created to alert people who are outdoors so they could seek shelter. Even if sirens existed, I always encourage people to have multiple ways to receive warnings. If one fails, you have backup methods." Such warnings can come from weather radios, mobile apps, or family notifications.
The tornado’s path raised alarms as it traveled northeast, parallel to Highway 61, scraping past familiar landmarks, including Paulding County High School and the well-known bronze statue of “Big Mike”. Community members recollected the awe and fear as trees toppled like matchsticks and roofs peeled away under the tornado's might.
Despite the trauma and destruction, there have been moments of resilience. Residents like Melissa Perez, who sheltered with her family, shared their fears and frustrations. A large tree fell onto their property but fortunately did not hit their home. Melissa recounted, "We were just scared out of nowhere and had to jump and run and get everybody... It was super loud and scary." With care, she and her neighbors worked together, clearing debris and checking on each other’s safety.
Residents are now focused on their recovery. The collaboration seen across neighborhoods as they rallied together to clear the roads and reconstruct their community highlights the enduring spirit of resilience. John Bierman, ready with his chainsaw, remarked on the camaraderie during these difficult days: "I’m just coming around the neighborhood, checking on neighbors, seeing if I can help. It’s just about being neighborly. We’re all trying to get through this together."
While the immediate aftermath of the tornado may fade, the questions about readiness remain. Activists and concerned residents are advocating for discussions on enhancing the emergency alert systems within the county, emphasizing the necessity of being compliant with safety measures as climate events become more common. Paulding County continues its recovery process as residents cling to hope, leaning on each other for support as they pick up the pieces after nature's fury.
