Alert archive / Georgia / Tornado Warnings in 2011

Tornado Warning 20, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC

April 27, 2011Macon County, North Carolina; Habersham County, Rabun County, Georgia

NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this tornado warning at Apr 27, 2011, 10:43 PM EDT for Macon County, North Carolina; Habersham County, Rabun County, Georgia. It was in force for 47 min. 9 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Apr 27, 2011, 10:43 PM EDT (02:43 UTC)
Expired
Apr 27, 2011, 11:30 PM EDT
In force
47 min
Issued by
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Habersham County, GA, Rabun County, GA, Macon County, NC

The radar

The Greer radar (KGSP), 109 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:43 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Apr 27, 11:00 PM EDTTORNADO4 N Batesville, GAAN EF2 TORNADO WITH A 1.5 TO 2 MILE PATH LENGTH TOUCHED DOWN IN NORTHWEST HABERSHAM COUNTY GEORGIA
Apr 27, 11:00 PM EDTTORNADO7 W Tiger, GACOUNTY REPORTS TORNADO TOUCHDOWN WITH STRUCTURAL DAMAGE IN THE LAKE BURTON AREA.
Apr 27, 11:00 PM EDTTORNADO8 Wsw Clayton, GAA LARGE AND DESTRUCTIVE EF3 TORNADO DESTROYED NUMEROUS LAKE SIDE RESIDENCES AS IT MOVED NORTHEAST FROM LAKE BURTON TO MOUNTAIN CITY GEORGIA. OTHER WIDESPREAD TREE AND STRUCTURAL DAMAGE WAS NOTED ALONG ITS PATH.
Apr 27, 11:03 PM EDTTORNADO15 Nnw Clarkesville, GAPOSSIBLE TORNADO DAMAGED 9 HOMES AND DESTROYED 3 HOMES ON GOSHEN MT.
Apr 27, 11:05 PM EDTTSTM WND DMG7 W Clayton, GATREE BLOWN DOWN ON ROOF. METAL ROOF PANELS PEELED OFF. POSSIBLE TORNADO.
Apr 27, 11:05 PM EDTHAIL 1.756 Nw Clayton, GASPOTTER REPORTS GOLF BALL HAIL AND THE POWER IS OUT.
Apr 27, 11:12 PM EDTTORNADOMountain City, GAHAM RADIO OPERATOR RELAYED A REPORT OF SEVERAL HOUSES DESTROYED.
Apr 27, 11:15 PM EDTTORNADOMountain City, GAFIRE STATION SEVERELY DAMAGED.
Apr 27, 11:27 PM EDTHAIL 1Scaly, NCNICKEL TO QUARTER SIZE HAIL.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Apr 27, 6:52 PM EDTTornado Watch PDSSPC9 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA (KFFC), launched 00:00Z, 2.7 hours before the alert went out and 200 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA at 00:00Z on 2011-04-28Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1215 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA at 00:00Z on 2011-04-28The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 244 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
1215 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-15 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1433 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
49 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
244 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
408 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
1.6
Supercell composite
15.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

074 
WFUS52 KGSP 280243
TORGSP
GAC137-241-NCC113-280330-
/O.NEW.KGSP.TO.W.0020.110428T0243Z-110428T0330Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
1043 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHERN HABERSHAM COUNTY IN NORTHEAST GEORGIA...
  RABUN COUNTY IN NORTHEAST GEORGIA...
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF CLAYTON...
  SOUTHERN MACON COUNTY IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA...

* UNTIL 1130 PM EDT

* AT 1039 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 15 MILES WEST OF
  BATESVILLE...OR 10 MILES NORTHWEST OF CLEVELAND...MOVING NORTHEAST
  AT 50 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  BATESVILLE...
  MOCCASIN CREEK STATE PARK AND LAKE BURTON...
  LAKEMONT AND LAKE RABUN...
  CLAYTON AND TIGER...
  DILLARD AND MOUNTAIN CITY...
  SCALY...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TORNADOES WHICH OCCUR AFTER DARK ARE ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS. PEOPLE IN
THE WARNED AREA SHOULD PREPARE IMMEDIATELY FOR THIS TORNADO. MOBILE
HOMES AND VEHICLES SHOULD BE ABANDONED FOR STURDIER SHELTER.
OTHERWISE...GO TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST LEVEL OF YOUR HOME
OR PLACE OF BUSINESS.

TO REPORT TORNADOES...DAMAGING WINDS...LARGE HAIL...OR FLOODING...
THROUGH OUR AUTOMATED REPORTING SYSTEM...CALL OUR TOLL FREE NUMBER...
1 8 7 7...6 3 3...6 7 7 2.

&&

LAT...LON 3489 8366 3494 8360 3495 8356 3499 8356
      3500 8353 3505 8357 3524 8329 3523 8327
      3508 8316 3506 8317 3499 8310 3495 8311
      3488 8323 3482 8327 3482 8331 3469 8335
      3464 8366 3476 8363 3481 8368
TIME...MOT...LOC 0243Z 237DEG 45KT 3475 8381

$$
07
4 follow-up statements
521 
WWUS52 KGSP 280254
SVSGSP

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
1054 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

GAC137-241-NCC113-280330-
/O.CON.KGSP.TO.W.0020.000000T0000Z-110428T0330Z/
RABUN GA-HABERSHAM GA-MACON NC-
1054 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1130 PM EDT FOR EASTERN
MACON...NORTHERN HABERSHAM AND RABUN COUNTIES...

AT 1052 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED 6 MILES NORTHWEST OF
BATESVILLE...OR 10 MILES SOUTH OF HIAWASSEE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50
MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  MOCCASIN CREEK STATE PARK AND LAKE BURTON...
  LAKEMONT AND LAKE RABUN...
  CLAYTON AND TIGER...
  DILLARD AND MOUNTAIN CITY...
  SCALY AND SKY VALLEY...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TORNADOES WHICH OCCUR AFTER DARK ARE ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS. PEOPLE IN
THE WARNED AREA SHOULD PREPARE IMMEDIATELY FOR THIS TORNADO. MOBILE
HOMES AND VEHICLES SHOULD BE ABANDONED FOR STURDIER SHELTER.
OTHERWISE...GO TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST LEVEL OF YOUR HOME
OR PLACE OF BUSINESS.

&&

LAT...LON 3489 8366 3495 8356 3499 8356 3500 8353
      3505 8357 3524 8329 3508 8316 3506 8317
      3499 8310 3495 8311 3487 8324 3483 8327
      3482 8331 3469 8335 3472 8358 3481 8368
TIME...MOT...LOC 0254Z 237DEG 45KT 3482 8367

$$

MOORE
257 
WWUS52 KGSP 280305
SVSGSP

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
1105 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

GAC137-280313-
/O.CAN.KGSP.TO.W.0020.000000T0000Z-110428T0330Z/
HABERSHAM GA-
1105 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHERN HABERSHAM COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM HAS MOVED INTO RABUN COUNTY.

LAT...LON 3495 8356 3499 8356 3500 8353 3505 8357
      3524 8329 3508 8316 3506 8317 3499 8310
      3495 8311 3488 8323 3483 8327 3479 8340
      3478 8355 3483 8360 3482 8362 3489 8365
TIME...MOT...LOC 0303Z 238DEG 46KT 3489 8353

$$

GAC241-NCC113-280330-
/O.CON.KGSP.TO.W.0020.000000T0000Z-110428T0330Z/
RABUN GA-MACON NC-
1105 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1130 PM EDT FOR EASTERN
MACON AND RABUN COUNTIES...

AT 1101 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR MOCCASIN CREEK
STATE PARK...OR 9 MILES WEST OF CLAYTON...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  MOUNTAIN CITY AND CLAYTON...
  DILLARD...
  SKY VALLEY AND SCALY...
  PINE MOUNTAIN...
  HIGHLANDS...

IF YOU LIVE FROM CLAYTON TO MOUNTAIN CITY AND DILLARD...TAKE COVER 
NOW!

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO THREAT...DAMAGING HAIL TO THE SIZE OF 
GOLF BALL SIZE WILL PRECEDE THE TORNADO. WIND DRIVEN HAIL OF THIS 
SIZE POSES A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF INJURY AND DAMAGE. MOBILE HOMES AND 
VEHICLES SHOULD BE ABANDONED FOR STURDIER SHELTER. OTHERWISE...GO TO 
AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST LEVEL OF YOUR HOME OR PLACE OF 
BUSINESS.

TORNADOES WHICH OCCUR AFTER DARK ARE ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS. PEOPLE IN
THE WARNED AREA SHOULD PREPARE IMMEDIATELY FOR THIS TORNADO. MOBILE
HOMES AND VEHICLES SHOULD BE ABANDONED FOR STURDIER SHELTER.
OTHERWISE...GO TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST LEVEL OF YOUR HOME
OR PLACE OF BUSINESS.

&&

LAT...LON 3495 8356 3499 8356 3500 8353 3505 8357
      3524 8329 3508 8316 3506 8317 3499 8310
      3495 8311 3488 8323 3483 8327 3479 8340
      3478 8355 3483 8360 3482 8362 3489 8365
TIME...MOT...LOC 0303Z 238DEG 46KT 3489 8353

$$

MOORE
448 
WWUS52 KGSP 280314
SVSGSP

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
1114 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

GAC241-NCC113-280330-
/O.CON.KGSP.TO.W.0020.000000T0000Z-110428T0330Z/
RABUN GA-MACON NC-
1114 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1130 PM EDT FOR EASTERN
MACON AND NORTHERN RABUN COUNTIES...

AT 1110 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR MOUNTAIN CITY...OR
NEAR CLAYTON...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH.

IF YOU LIVE NEAR MOUNTAIN CITY...TAKE COVER NOW!!!

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO...SKY 
VALLEY...SCALY...PINE MOUNTAIN AND HIGHLANDS

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO THREAT...DAMAGING HAIL TO THE SIZE OF 
GOLF BALLS WILL PRECEDE THE TORNADO. WIND DRIVEN HAIL OF THIS SIZE 
POSES A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF INJURY AND DAMAGE. MOBILE HOMES AND 
VEHICLES SHOULD BE ABANDONED FOR STURDIER SHELTER. OTHERWISE...GO TO 
AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST LEVEL OF YOUR HOME OR PLACE OF 
BUSINESS.

TORNADOES WHICH OCCUR AFTER DARK ARE ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS. PEOPLE IN
THE WARNED AREA SHOULD PREPARE IMMEDIATELY FOR THIS TORNADO. MOBILE
HOMES AND VEHICLES SHOULD BE ABANDONED FOR STURDIER SHELTER.
OTHERWISE...GO TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST LEVEL OF YOUR HOME
OR PLACE OF BUSINESS.

&&

LAT...LON 3524 8329 3508 8316 3506 8317 3499 8310
      3497 8312 3495 8311 3488 8323 3486 8345
      3486 8352 3495 8356 3499 8356 3500 8353
      3502 8353 3505 8357
TIME...MOT...LOC 0314Z 240DEG 47KT 3494 8338

$$

MOORE
641 
WWUS52 KGSP 280321
SVSGSP

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
1121 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

GAC241-NCC113-280330-
/O.CON.KGSP.TO.W.0020.000000T0000Z-110428T0330Z/
RABUN GA-MACON NC-
1121 PM EDT WED APR 27 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1130 PM EDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN MACON AND NORTHEASTERN RABUN COUNTIES...

AT 1118 PM EDT...A TORNADO WAS DETECTED BY DOPPLER RADAR.  THIS 
TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR SKY VALLEY...OR 7 MILES NORTHEAST OF 
CLAYTON...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO PINE 
MOUNTAIN AND HIGHLANDS.

THE FIRST WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 1130 PM. A NEW TORNADO WARNING WILL 
BE ISSUED FOR THIS STORM IN THE NEXT FEW MINUTES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO THREAT...DAMAGING HAIL TO THE SIZE OF 
GOLF BALLS WILL PRECEDE THE TORNADO. WIND DRIVEN HAIL OF THIS SIZE 
POSES A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF INJURY AND DAMAGE. MOBILE HOMES AND 
VEHICLES SHOULD BE ABANDONED FOR STURDIER SHELTER. OTHERWISE...GO TO 
AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST LEVEL OF YOUR HOME OR PLACE OF 
BUSINESS.

TORNADOES WHICH OCCUR AFTER DARK ARE ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS. PEOPLE IN
THE WARNED AREA SHOULD PREPARE IMMEDIATELY FOR THIS TORNADO. MOBILE
HOMES AND VEHICLES SHOULD BE ABANDONED FOR STURDIER SHELTER.
OTHERWISE...GO TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST LEVEL OF YOUR HOME
OR PLACE OF BUSINESS.

&&

LAT...LON 3505 8343 3521 8327 3509 8316 3506 8317
      3499 8310 3497 8312 3495 8311 3490 8325
      3491 8340 3496 8344
TIME...MOT...LOC 0320Z 240DEG 47KT 3498 8329

$$

MOORE

The office that day

Everything else NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 27, 11:22 PM EDTTornado WarningGSPHaywood, Jackson, Macon, Transylvania38 min
Apr 28, 12:04 AM EDTTornado WarningGSPJackson, Macon41 min
Apr 28, 12:41 AM EDTTornado WarningGSPHaywood, Jackson, Macon, Transylvania34 min
Apr 28, 12:54 AM EDTTornado WarningGSPJackson, Macon, Transylvania51 min
Apr 28, 1:17 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPBuncombe, Burke, McDowell43 min
Apr 28, 1:31 AM EDTTornado WarningGSPHenderson, Transylvania44 min
Apr 28, 2:03 AM EDTTornado WarningGSPBuncombe, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford42 min
Apr 28, 2:26 AM EDTTornado WarningGSPBuncombe, Burke, Henderson, McDowell, Polk, Rutherford49 min
Apr 28, 2:56 AM EDTTornado WarningGSPAlexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, McDowell64 min
Apr 28, 5:26 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPCaldwell34 min
Apr 28, 5:51 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPBurke24 min
Apr 28, 5:55 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPBurke35 min
Apr 28, 6:04 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPAlexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba29 min
Apr 28, 12:21 AM EDTTornado WarningGSPHabersham, Rabun, Stephens39 min
Apr 28, 2:06 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGSPElbert39 min
Apr 28, 2:29 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGSPElbert46 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Georgia, 2011Tornado Warnings in North Carolina, 2011Every tornado warning in 2011Tornadoes in 2011

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.