Tornadoes and Flooding in Georgia, November 10 to 11, 2002

The Lamar county sheriff sighted a possible funnel cloud near the Lamar/Monroe county line.

The public reported that quarter size hail fell. Some cars were damaged.

A National Weather Service disaster survey team from the National Weather Service office in Peachtree City, Georgia, along with Bibb county emergency management officials confirmed that a short-lived F0 tornado touched down in extreme northern Bibb county in the Cross Creek and Sleepy Creek subdivisions which straddle the Bibb-Monroe county line. The tornado was estimated to have a path length of 1/2 to 3/4 mile and a path width of 1/4 mile or less. Numerous trees, mostly pines, were either broken off or uprooted. Some of the trees landed on homes and some shingles were also peeled off by the wind. However, damage to homes was minor. Most of the damage occurred in the Wesleyan Road, Riverside Road, and Bass Road areas. A couple of roads were blocked by downed trees.

The National Weather Service disaster survey team continued its survey into extreme southern Monroe county and classified the damage here as F0 tornado damage as well. The same tornado that originated in extreme northern Bibb county moved east-northeast into extreme southern Monroe county, continuing to do damage in the Sleepy Creek and Cross Creek Subdivisions. The damage was confined mainly to numerous downed pine trees, a few on homes, and a few incidents of shingles blown off roofs. At least eight homes and four vehicles were damaged by downed trees. One four foot diameter tree was blown right through the bedroom of one home and at least two dozen trees were tossed about like twiggs in another part of the subdivision. Two roads were blocked by downed trees as well.

The Jones county Emergency Management Director reported that strong thunderstorm winds caused considerable damage to a trucking industry located in Pinesville, about halfway between Gray and Haddock on Georgia Highway 22. The winds removed a portion of the roof and ripped off the front doors of the main building at the industry. A shed attached to the main building was also blown away. Several trees fell down on the property as well, causing damage. A tree fell on a service truck, causing considerable damage to the vehicle, while another tree fell on a pontoon. Other trees and power lines were down in the county, especially near the Bibb county line.

The public reported dime size hail.

The Dade county Emergency Management Director reported that lightning struck and completely destroyed a small garage outbuilding located near Georgia Highway 136 at the foot of Lookout Mountain. The contents, which included numerous tools and implements, were destroyed as well.

The Walker county 911 center reported pea size hail.

The Walker county Emergency Management Director reported that a small metal shed was blown down, a few shingles were blown off roofs, and a few trees were blown down.

The Dade county 911 center reported that numerous trees were down in the Trenton area.

The Dade County 911 center reported nickel to quarter size hail.

The Summerville News reported that a large tree was blown down onto a camper parked at a residence. The camper suffered major damage as a result.

An off duty National Weather Service employee reported pea size hail.

The Floyd county Emergency Management Director reported that a small barn and tractor shed were damaged in the southwest part of the county, while a home in the southeast part of the county sustained moderate damage from wind and downed trees. Approximately six to seven trees were blown down scattered about the county.

The Murray county 911 center reported that one tree was blown down.

The Cedartown Standard newspaper reported that a few trees were blown down across the county.

The Haralson county Emergency Management Director reported that lightning struck a home setting the vinyl siding on fire. The fire was quickly put out, thus damage to the structure was limited to some of the vinyl siding. The county hospital also suffered a lightning strike, which caused a power outage. However, there was no structural damage to the facility.

A National Weather Service disaster survey team and the Bartow county Emergency Management Director confirmed a 12 mile long west-east path of damage beginning on Barnsley Garden Road near Barnsley Gardens in northwest Bartow county continuing east to just south of Halls Station crossing U.S. Highway 41, then east across Pleasant Valley Road, to just east of Interstate 75 on Crowe Spring Road. The path of damage, up to 500 yards wide in some area, consisted mostly of damage caused by straight line winds with speeds of 80 to 100 mph, but there was definite evidence of tornadic damage of F2 intensity in an isolated area on Clear Creek Road. This portion of the tornado had a path length of 500 yards with a path width of 100 yards. Tornadic damage of F1 intensity was evident along a secondary segment of the damage path at the intersection of Cedar Creek Road and Hazel Road about 3 miles north of Cassville. This portion of the torando had a path length of 500 yards with a path width of 100 yards. Twelve to 15 residental homes suffered major structural damage, seven chicken houses were destroyed, including 7500 chickens, and a barn was completely destroyed. There were also numerous downed trees and power lines along and near the the damage path. Bartow county was one of five counties declared in a state of emergency by the governor.

A National Weather Service disaster survey team and the Cherokee county Emergency Manager Director observed a 6-mile long path of damage, beginning near Beasley Gap in northwest Cherokee county, then continuing east-northeast toward the town of Worley Crossroads on the Pickens county border. While much of the damage along the path was determined as straight line wind damage with speeds of at least 70 mph, there was definite indication of a multi-segmented tornado. The most significant tornado damage occurred on Salacoa Road near Beasley Gap, where the tornado damage was classified as F2. The damage path was approximately 627 yards wide at its widest point, but the tornadic portion of this damage was limited to around 100 yards wide. Two homes were completely destroyed, three were severely damaged, and six were moderately damaged. Numerous trees and power lines were down along and near the damage path as well. Some livestock was also killed during the event. Cherokee county was one of five counties declared in a state of emergency by the governor.

The tornado that originated in Cherokee county near Beasley Gap, continued into and across Pickens county. Once again, the National Weather Service disaster survey team determined that this was a multi-segmented tornado, with much of the damage along the path caused by straight line winds of at least 70 mph. The tornado entered the county southwest of Cagle, then continued on to just north of Tate roughly paralleling Georgia Highway 108, then turned more eastward along Georgia Highway 53 to near Marblehill, through the Big Canoe golf course and recreation area, then east of Big Canoe into extreme western Dawson county. There was definite evidence of F2 tornadic damage just north of Tate where winds were estimated in the 113 to 157 mph range. Some of the hardest hit areas included homes on Pleasant Union Road near the Cherokee county border; the Mountain Lakes Estates area, where several homes suffered extensive damage; the Bethany-Salem district where at least 56 structures were damaged or destroyed; Refuge Road near Tate, the town suffering some of the greatest damage where several homes and business were destroyed; the Big Canoe area near the Dawson county border, where several homes were damaged and the tennis center suffered extensive damage. All together, a total of 26 structures, mostly residential homes were destroyed, 142 structures were partially damaged, 2 businesses were destroyed, and 14 vehicles were totally destroyed. In addition, ten people were injured, primarily in damaged homes or trapped in vehicles on which trees fell. One of the businesses destroyed was the popular Davis's Barbeque on Georgia Highway 108. The restaurant was completely blown away, including the 20-foot white columns that stood in front of the restaurant. Three of the injuries in the county occurred in new mobile homes behind the Barbeque restaurant when their homes were flattened by the winds and other debris from the restaurant. One of the children injured, a 4-year old girl, was found by a nearby pond. The Refuge Baptist Church suffered extensive damage and was left in shambles. The historic Big Canoe chapel was also among the structures suffering damage. The steeple and all of the windows were lost from the church along with other structural damage to both the exterior and interior walls. Numerous trees were uprooted and many power lines were damaged along the path. Thirty people had to be put up in shelters and at least 6000 people were left without power for an extended period. Pickens county was the hardest hit of five counties declared in a state of emergency by the governor.

An amateur radio operator reported dime size hail.

The News Observer of Blue Ridge reported that a large pine tree fell on two pickup trucks at a residence in the city. One of the trucks was totaled and the other sustained significant damage. At another residence, large tree limbs fell on and damaged the corner of a front porch. Winds were estimated at 60 to 70 mph by a local resident.

The Bartow county 911 center reported dime size hail.

The Dawson News and Advertiser reported that lightning struck and destroyed two homes in extreme western Dawson county near the Pickens county border on Mulkey Road. Eight people were left homeless as a result. A vehicle also suffered extensive damage at one of the residences. In addition, one family lost one of their pets in the fire.

The Dawson county Emergency Management Director reported that the tornado that originated in Cherokee county and traveled across Pickens county, entered Dawson county in the Big Canoe area and continued to just east-northeast of the Big Canoe area before dissipating. Two double-wide mobile homes were completely destroyed just east of the Big Canoe area as large trees fell on the structures. While the contents of one were salvagable, those of the other were destroyed. Three injuries occurred at one of these mobile homes as the residents were trapped by the downed trees on the structure. In addition, there were four other homes that received minor damage in the Big Canoe area. Numerous trees and power lines were blown down in the area of the tornado and some roads were temporarily blocked as a result. Dawson county was one of five counties declared in a state of emergency by the governor.

The Haralson county Emergency Management Director reported that a tree was blown down.

The Lumpkin county Emergency Management Director reported that several trees were blown down.

A storm spotter reported quarter size hail in Canton and an amateur radio operator reported dime size hail in Woodstock.

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

The White county Emergency Management Director reported that several trees were blown down in scattered areas about the county and there was also some minor structural damage.

Several reports of dime to quarter size hail were received from the public in the Marietta area. The public also reported quarter size hail five miles west of Marietta and dime size hail at Lost Mountain near the Paulding county border.

The Forsyth county Emergency Management Director reported that a few trees were blown down in the far northern part of the county, north of Coal Mountain.

A spotter for Channel 6 TV of Atlanta reported pea size hail.

The Hall county Emergency Management Director reported pea size hail.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that a large 75-foot Poplar tree fell on a home causing considerable damage to the roof and front porch of the residence. Several other trees were reported down across the county, including some on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, reported by a storm spotter. Several thousand residents of the county were without power much of the night and nearly 1200 were still without power well into the morning.

The Fulton county 911 center reported dime size hail.

The Barrow County News reported that a lightning strike on Patrick Mill Road caused something in the house to smoke, prompting a call to the 911 center. A mobile unit at Hope Christian School also caught fire, which was believed to be lightning related as well.

The Fulton county Emergency Management Director reported that several trees were blown down in the North Atlanta and Buckhead areas. The Alpharetta/Roswell Neighbor newspaper reported that a large oak tree, covering an area of approximately 20 feet by 20 feet, literally destroyed a 150-year old two-story barn at the historic 1845 Smith Plantation in the historic Roswell District. The tree crushed the hand-split shingle roof and destroyed one side wall and the back wall. It was considered a total loss.

A storm spotter for the SkyWarn Network reported dime size hail.

The Hall county Emergency Management Director reported that a chicken house was blown down on Joe Chandeler Road about four miles east of Gainesville. The house and most of the chickens were destroyed. Trees were also blown down in scattered areas around the county. The Times newspaper of Gainesville reported that a very large oak tree was blown down behind Continental Tire on Atlanta Highway, which brought down four spans of electric transmission lines. There were a number of power outages reported across the county because of trees down on power lines.

The public reported street flooding.

The Banks county Emergency Management Director reported that a roof was blown off a barn located on U.S. Highway 441 near Homer and landed in the yard of a home on Moss Mill Road nearly 0.8 mile away. In addition, there were trees down in scattered areas all over the county.

The Fayette county Emergency Management Director reported that thunderstorm winds blew a tree down on a house in Fayetteville causing considerable damage to the structure.

The Fayette county Emergency Manager reported that lightning struck a home in Fayetteville on Doe Hollow Trace, causing minor damage.

The Morgan county 911 center reported that numerous trees were down across the south part of the county between Rutledge, Pennington, and Godfrey. At least 20 trees were reported to have been blown down in the Rutledge vicinity alone.

The Jasper county Emergency Management Director reported golf ball size hail.

The Morgan county Emergency Management Director reported dime size hail.

The Jasper county Emergency Management Director reported that numerous trees and power lines were down at Farrar.

The public reported some street flooding on North Hill Road.

The Greene county Emergency Management Director reported that extensive wind damage occurred to a school. The roof sustained significant damage and the gymnasium suffered extensive damage.

A National Weather Service damage survey and the Newton county Emergency Management Director determined that several trees and some power lines were down on Henderson Mill Road. The Rockdale Citizen newspaper reported that scattered trees and power lines were down across the county, but primarily in the areas from Covington south to High Point near Georgia Highway 142 and Georgia Highway 36. A tree fell on a mobile home in a mobile home park on Georgia Highway 142 near Covington and a large tree blocked a road to a Future Farmers of America camp just off Georgia Highway 36. Several electric meters were torn off homes. Around 10,000 people were without power during the height of the storm. Several hundred people were left without power well into the day Monday, particularly in the Covington area.

The Henry county Emergency Management Director and the Daily Herald of McDonough reported that numerous trees and power lines were blown down across the county, particularly in the central areas east of McDonough and in the Locust Grove area. This was confirmed by a National Weather Service disaster survey. Georgia Highway 42 in Locust Grove and East Knight Road northeast of McDonough were both blocked for several hours because of downed trees. Several roads were blocked in the Lake Dow area, where a tree also fell on a home, damaging the front porch, and crushing two vehicles.

The Butts county Emergency Management Director and the local newspaper, the Jackson Progress Argus, reported that extensive damage occurred to five homes and two apartment buildings. Two of the structures had the roofs removed. However, most of the damage was the result of downed trees. on the structures. Numerous trees and several power lines were also blown down. One tree fell on the city's new dump truck causing damage. The Jackson Progress Argus newspaper reported that the city of Jenkinsburg not only suffered substantial property loses, but also lost some of its most prized hardwood trees that had graced the city streets for over 100 years. These trees were uprooted and blown down on homes, barns (including a one year-old workshop) up and down Oak Street, one of the most historic streets in Jenkinsburg. Most of the storm damage occurred within a one mile square area within town. Several residents of the apartment buildings had to be moved to temporary shelters. One eight year-old girl at the Miller apartments was injured by debris and had to be taken to a local hospital. Several others received bruises and scratches from the storm debris. The governor declared Butts county to be in a state of emergency.

A TV news reporter indicated that the roof of a home was partially damaged by thunderstorms winds in Rayle and that approximately 25 trees were down in Tignall.

The Rockdale county Emergency Management Director reported that lightning struck a home in the northeast part of Rockdale county on Hightower Trail. The resulting fire completely destroyed the home and all of its contents.

The Rockdale Citizen reported that there was some street flooding in the Covington area during the thunderstorms because of stopped up drainage systems.

The Morgan county Emergency Management Director reported several trees and some power lines were blown down in, just west, and just south of the city. Power was briefly lost at the 911 communications center.

The Oglethorpe county Emergency Management Director reported dime size hail.

The Wilkes county Emergency Management Director reported that a vacant home north of Washington was destroyed and another home west of Washington suffered significant damage. A third home in Washington suffered minor damage. Numerous trees and power lines were also down in the area. Georgia Highway 17, Tignall Road, was completely blocked north of Washington. In addition, up to 3500 residents were without power for several hours.

The Oglethorpe county 911 center reported that approximately 20 trees were blown down.

The Rockdale county Emergency Manager reported that lightning struck a home in southwest Rockdale county setting the attic on fire. The fire caused considerable damage to the home.