ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - An 18-year-old is in the ICU Friday after a tornado ripped through a Locust Grove neighborhood the day before.

The teen’s father, Tray Chaney, identified him as Malachi Chaney. Tray is an actor best known for playing Malik “Poot” Carr on HBO’s “The Wire.”

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Locust Grove neighbors recount tornado that ripped through their neighborhood

Tray said he and Malachi had just returned home from an event promoting “The Wire.” But 30 minutes after they’d each gone to their rooms to relax, everything changed.

Tray was sitting on the edge of his bed when the tornado ripped the house apart.

“I just remember turning to my right, and my wall was coming towards my face, and my body levitated in the air,” he said. “I know I blacked out, but I seen everything in my house coming towards my face, so the first thing I did was cover up.”

Trey woke up wrapped in his sheets with his face in the dirt.

“I was yelling Malachi’s name out. ‘Malachi, Malachi, where you at?’ When I came from under the covers, this is what I seen,” he said, pointing to his Locust Grove home that now sits in pieces.

Right now, the National Weather Service believes the tornado was an EF-2 or higher. The final report is still pending.

The tornado threw Malachi at least 100 feet away into the nearby woodline. He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital in an ambulance and remains in the ICU.

Tray said his son was left with broken ribs and fractured bones in his face. Despite the injuries, he’s been able to open his eyes and squeeze his parents’ hands.

“He’s coming along, but the fact that he’s in ICU and I came away with just this scratch on my face, a bump on my head, I wish we could trade places,” Tray said. “... My message? Hug on your loved ones.”

The tornado appeared very suddenly. Neighbors told Atlanta News First there was no warning, and officials said the calls for damage and rescue came at the same time the National Weather Service confirmed the tornado.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Confirmed tornado in Henry County causes damage to several homes

“It’s very scary that it would form so quickly and without warning and cause this amount of damage,” Henry County Police Deputy Chief Jason Bolton said. “You just never know.”

Friday is another First Alert Weather Day, with lightning, damaging winds and tornadoes possible as a cold front sweeps through the region.

This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First as we learn more.

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