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From Staff Reports

ALBANY — Hurricane Michael has come and gone.

A category 1 storm when its eye passed atop Albany — packing winds more than 100 mph — authorities had their hands full Wednesday night.

There were several reports of trees down, making some roads impassible, as well as downed power lines and structural damage throughout the region.

Heavy damage along Broad Street in downtown Albany is being spotted, including several storefronts with windows blown out, including the Nelson Gift building.

According to reports, a large radio antenna tower fell on the Lee County Criminal Justice Building and 911 Center, causing extensive damage.

Nearly 345,000 people were without power across Georgia and a majority of southwest Georgia was in the dark as of 8 a.m. Thursday.

Michael is the first category 3 hurricane to track into Georgia since the 1800s. It was downgraded just after midnight to a tropical storm as it moves northeast toward the Carolinas.

Return for updates.