Georgia Tornado 900 Yards Wide, 160 MPH at its Peak

Authorities believe a tornado swelled to 900 yards wide — more than four times the width of the Georgia Dome — and as it tore across northwest Georgia for nearly 22 miles.

National Weather Service officials say the Wednesday twister had an estimated peak wind speed of 160 mph when it slammed into Adairsville, about 60 miles northwest of Atlanta.

Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Ralph Hudgens said Wednesday’s tornadoes caused an estimated $75 million in insured losses.

The heaviest damage was found at the Daiki Corp. manufacturing plant in Adairsville, where the 160 mph winds struck. That is just shy of an EF4 tornado, which has winds of 166 mph and above.

The tornado killed an Adairsville man and injured 17 people.