Flood and Hail in Georgia, July 31, 2002

Name: Flood and Hail in Georgia, July 31, 2002
Start: 2002-07-31T13:39
End: 2002-07-31T22:00
Location: Georgia

July 31, 2002 · NWS FFC · 27 events in 17 counties and zones

15 thunderstorm wind, 8 hail, 3 lightning, 1 flood, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 4 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $542,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 27

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Atlanta, GA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 31, 4:30 AM EST, 9 hours 9 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 31, 4:30 AM EST, 9 hours 9 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION...UPDATED FOR AVIATION DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
530 AM EDT WED JUL 31 2002

300 AM EDT WED JUL 31 2002...PUBLIC FORECAST DISCUSSION
OVERVIEW:  NOT MUCH CHANGE IS NEEDED IN THIS MORNINGS FORECAST.
WEAK EASTERLY-WAVE OVER THE EASTERN GULF CONTINUES TO MOVES SLOWLY
N. SATELLITE LOOP ALSO SHOWS ANOTHER UPPER LEVEL LOW DRIFTING SE
FROM AR/TN/MS AREA. THESE TWO SYSTEMS WILL EVENTUALLY COME TOGETHER
TO HELP FORM ONE UPPER LOW WHICH WILL PERSIST OVER THE SOUTHEAST
THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEK. BY THE WEEKEND UPPER RIDGE FROM THE
MIDWEST WILL BUILD AND FORCE UPPER LOW TO PUSH TO THE SOUTHWEST.
ALL IN ALL CONTINUED AFTERNOON SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS FOR NORTH
AND CENTRAL GEORGIA THROUGH FRI.

FCSTID = 01

ATL  89 72 90 71 /  50 30 40 30
AHN  90 71 90 71 /  50 30 40 30
GVL  89 70 89 70 /  50 30 40 20
RMG  90 71 91 71 /  50 30 40 20
CSG  91 73 91 72 /  50 30 40 30
MCN  92 72 91 72 /  50 30 40 30

.ATL...
GA...NONE.

AVIATION DISCUSSION...VAD LOW LEVEL WINDS ARE MORE NORTHERLY VS.
WESTERLY THIS MORNING...AND THINK THIS WILL KEEP THE LOW CLOUDS AWAY
FROM ATL. LOW LEVEL CLOUDS IN CSG AREA SEEN ON SATELLITE PIX MOVING
MORE TOWARD MCN RATHER THAN SPREADING NORTHWARD AS IT DID YESTERDAY
MORNING. CU DEVELOPING EARLY...WITH TRW AFTER 18Z. WITH HIGH STILL
CENTERED OVER NORTHERN GULF...WESTERLY WINDS SHOULD PREVAIL.

OUR DETAILED COUNTY FORECASTS ARE AVAILABLE AT FOUS52 KFFC.
OUR AREA FORECAST FOR NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA CITIES IS AVAILABLE
AT FLUS42 KFFC.

The radar

The Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 105 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:40 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

15 thunderstorm wind, 8 hail, 3 lightning, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Floyd

When: July 31, 1:39 PM EST
Where: Floyd County, Armuchee
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 34.367, -85.167

The public reported dime size hail.

Lightning, Forsyth

When: July 31, 3:20 PM EST
Where: Forsyth County, Cumming
Property damage: $175,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 34.226, -84.125 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Forsyth county Emergency Management Director reported that lightning strikes caused several structural fires. The Forsyth County newspaper reported that lightning struck a home in the Gran Forest subdivision. The home was completely destroyed by the resulting fire. Damage to other homes was minor.

Hail, Gwinnett

When: July 31, 3:30 PM EST
Where: Gwinnett County, 3 mi S of Lawrenceville
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 33.917, -83.983

The public reported nickel size hail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Forsyth

When: July 31, 3:30 PM EST
Where: Forsyth County, 3 mi NW of Cumming
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 34.233, -84.183

The Forsyth County News and the Emergency Management Director reported that numerous trees and power lines were blown down west and northwest of Cumming, near Drew, along Georgia Highway 371 and in Cumming as well. In addition, a small portion of a roof was blown off a store and a chicken house was blown down. Two homes were damaged by the fallen trees and more than a dozen power lines were knocked down by trees. A large oak tree crushed the roof of one home and another large tree fell in front of an apartment complex in Cumming. Traffic was detoured in the city around downed power lines, wires, and trees or tree limbs and debris.

Hail, Gwinnett

When: July 31, 4:00 PM EST to 4:10 PM EST
Where: Gwinnett County, 2 mi NW of Duluth
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 34.017, -84.167

The public and an amateur radio operator reported dime size hail in Duluth and northwest of Duluth on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard.

Thunderstorm Wind, Fulton

When: July 31, 4:00 PM EST
Where: Fulton County, Warsaw
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO
Coordinates: 34.017, -84.200

An amateur radio operator reported that a few trees and a utility line were down near Medlock Bridge and Bobby Jones Road at the Atlanta Athletic Club.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dodge

When: July 31, 4:00 PM EST
Where: Dodge County, 3 mi NW of Eastman
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 32.233, -83.217

The Dodge county 911 center reported that some trees and power lines were down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bleckley

When: July 31, 4:00 PM EST
Where: Bleckley County, Countywide
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 32.450, -83.350

The Bleckley county 911 center reported that a few trees were down throughout the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Gwinnett

When: July 31, 4:10 PM EST
Where: Gwinnett County, Duluth
Property damage: $500
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 34.000, -84.150

The public reported that a few trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, De Kalb

When: July 31, 4:15 PM EST
Where: De Kalb County, Stone Mtn
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 33.800, -84.167

The public reported that a few tree limbs were blown down.

Hail, De Kalb

When: July 31, 4:15 PM EST
Where: De Kalb County, Stone Mtn
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 33.800, -84.167

The public reported dime size hail.

Lightning, Emanuel

When: July 31, 4:20 PM EST to 5:25 PM EST
Where: Emanuel County, Swainsboro
Property damage: $300,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 32.590, -82.302 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Forest Blade newspaper of Swainsboro, as well as the Macon Telegraph, and other local media outlets reported that lightning struck several homes and the Hillcrest Baptist Church. The church was completely destroyed by the resulting fire. Damage to the homes was minor to moderate, but the church was completely destroyed. No injuries or deaths occurred with the incidents.

Hail, Rockdale

When: July 31, 4:30 PM EST
Where: Rockdale County, Conyers
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 33.667, -84.017

The public reported dime to nickel size hail. Winds were estimated at 55 mph.

Hail, Emanuel

When: July 31, 4:50 PM EST
Where: Emanuel County, Swainsboro
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 32.600, -82.333

The Emanuel county 911 center reported dime size hail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Newton

When: July 31, 5:00 PM EST
Where: Newton County, Covington
Property damage: $500
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 33.600, -83.867

The Newton county 911 center reported that a few trees were down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Emanuel

When: July 31, 5:15 PM EST to 5:25 PM EST
Where: Emanuel County, Swainsboro
Property damage: $500
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 32.600, -82.333

The Emanuel county 911 center reported that some trees were down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bleckley

When: July 31, 5:20 PM EST
Where: Bleckley County, Countywide
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 32.450, -83.350

The Bleckley county 911 center reported that a few trees were blown down throughout the county.

Flood, Emanuel

When: July 31, 5:25 PM EST
Where: Emanuel County, Swainsboro
Reported by: BROADCAST MEDIA
Coordinates: 32.590, -82.302 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A local media output indicated there was some street flooding.

Thunderstorm Wind, Greene

When: July 31, 5:55 PM EST
Where: Greene County, Countywide
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 33.550, -83.200

The Greene county Sheriff and the county 911 center reported that several trees were down throughout the county, especially along Interstate 20 in Greensboro. Pea size hail was also reported in Greensboro.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: July 31, 6:30 PM EST
Where: Jefferson County, Stapleton
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 33.217, -82.467

The Jefferson county 911 center reported that some trees were down from Jefferson to Wrens.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hancock

When: July 31, 6:40 PM EST
Where: Hancock County, 5 mi NW of Sparta
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 33.317, -83.050

The Hancock county 911 center reported that several trees were down along Georgia Highway 77 northwest of Sparta.

Hail, Monroe

When: July 31, 6:55 PM EST
Where: Monroe County, Bolingbroke
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 32.950, -83.800

The public reported that dime to nickel size hail covered the ground.

Thunderstorm Wind, Monroe

When: July 31, 7:00 PM EST
Where: Monroe County, 4 mi SE of Forsyth
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 33.000, -83.900

The Monroe county 911 center reported that several trees and some power lines were down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: July 31, 7:15 PM EST
Where: Washington County, Sandersville
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates: 32.983, -82.800

The Washington county sheriff and the county 911 center reported that several trees were down.

Hail, Bibb

When: July 31, 7:20 PM EST
Where: Bibb County, Macon
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 32.817, -83.650

The public reported dime size hail in the Barrington Hall subdivision of Macon.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bibb

When: July 31, 7:20 PM EST
Where: Bibb County, Macon
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates: 32.817, -83.650

Several reports of trees down were received from the public and the county 911 center of trees down in the Barrington Hall subdivision of Macon and five miles northwest of Macon. A lone tree was reported down west of Lizella near the Crawford county line.

Lightning, Johnson

When: July 31, 10:00 PM EST
Where: Johnson County, Wrightsville
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 32.702, -82.660 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Wrightsville Headlight reported that lightning struck a restored, older home in town, igniting a fire, and causing considerable damage. The kitchen was heavily damaged, with much of the house suffering minor cosmetic damage because of heat and smoke. This home on North Marcus Street, was believed to be one of the oldest homes in the town, built in 1880.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Lightning: A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Flood: Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Georgia in 2002 Every state in 2002 This day in weather history Warnings in Georgia, July 2002

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5308958, 5308858, 5308852, 5308957, 5308854, 5308855, 5308856, 5308857, 5308853, 5308850, 5308851, 5308844, 5308848, 5308849, 5308847, 5308846, 5308845, 5308746, 5308747, 5308745, 5308744, 5308743, 5308742, 5308741, 5308739, 5308740, 5308959.