Tornado and Hail in Georgia, May 1, 2002

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

The Dade county 911 center reported dime size hail.

The Dade county 911 center reported dime size hail.

The public reported dime to quarter size hail.

A National Weather Service disaster survey team observed that a thunderstorm macroburst, or large area of estimated 80 to 100 mph straight line winds traversed much of the county, but hit the Calhoun area particularly hard. The thunderstorm macroburst entered the northwest part of the county northwest of Sugar Valley, and then traveled southeast through the county within an approximately 30 minute period of time. As this macroburst traveled through the Calhoun area, a small, two-segmented F0 to weak F1 tornado touched down, first just southwest of Calhoun and then again just east of Calhoun, inflicting some of the worst damage in the county. Damage across the county was widespread and extensive and as such the area was declared in a state of emergency by the governor. Literally thousands of trees, dozens of which were 2 feet or more in diameter, and hundreds of power lines and telephone poles were either blown down or brought down by large trees. Damage surveys and insurance claims indicated that well over 300 structures were either damaged or destroyed, including 269 homes and 48 commercial structures. Numerous cars were also either damaged or destroyed by down trees and debris, including six classic cars valued at $100,000. In one case, the damage to a large carpet dyeing facility was described as if a missile had hit the facility. Some of the more significant damaged structures and businesses included a large dyeing plant in Calhoun, two schools, one an elementary and the other a high school in Calhoun, a church, a grocery store, two barns at a large cow farm, and several businesses such as a pet store, a barbershop, a tanning salon, a dental office, insurance company office, and a computer store. In addition, 50,000 chickens were destroyed on a chicken farm when the structure collapsed during the storm. While miraculously, no injuries or deaths were reported amidst all of this damage, at least two instances were reported of trees crashing through homes and landing just inches away from individuals sleeping in their bed. At least 20,000 people, namely most of the residents of the county, were without power for at least one day, and several, especially in the Calhoun area, remained without power for nearly a week. Dozens of roads were also blocked by the downed trees, power lines, and other debris.

The Summerville News reported that several trees and some power lines were down by thunderstorm winds in the Trion and Subligna-Dry Creek communities. Two mobile homes were severely damaged by large trees which fell on them.

The Walker County Messenger reported that at least 30 large trees were sheared, blown over, or uprooted by strong thunderstorm winds. Two homes sustained significant damage as large trees fell on them.

The Floyd county 911 center reported that trees were down at the intersection of Georgia Highway 156 and Haywood Valley Road. The Rome News Tribune reported that extensive damage occurred to Camp Sydney Dew, a Boy Scout Retreat Camp. Debris from trees and other camping structures were scattered throughout the camp. It was described as "looking like a war zone".

A National Weather Disaster Survey team observed that a weak F0 to F1 tornado made two touchdowns, one just southwest and another just east of downtown Calhoun. These tornado spinups occurred on the south side of a southeastward moving thunderstorm macroburst which traveled from northwest to southeast across the county. The macroburst was associated with 80 to 100 mph damaging straight line winds. The areas affected by the weak tornadoes received some of the most significant damage within the county. Dozens of trees were twisted, uprooted, and shredded by the tornadic winds which caused extensive damage to homes and businesses alike.

The Cartersville Daily Tribune News and emergency management personnel reported that straight line thunderstorm winds estimated at 80 to 100 mph caused widespread damage to trees, power lines, and several structures across the northern part of the county from Adairsville, to Folsom, to Pine Log, to Rydal. Some of the worst damage occurred in Adairsville where a large corporation had a large portion of its roof blown off along with roof mounted ventilation systems. Debris in the form of flying glass injured one midnight shift worker. In addition, a barn was destroyed on Georgia 140 in Folsom, at least 4 roads were blocked and closed, and at least 2,500 were left without power.

The Cartersville Daily Tribune News reported that a large pine tree was struck outside a mobile home causing the tree to fall on the mobile home. Extensive damage resulted and one person was injured from debris falling inside the mobile home.

The public reported dime size hail in Rydal.

The Forsyth county 911 center reported that some power lines were blown down.