Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Georgia, May 5 to 11, 2003

The Dade county Emergency Management Director reported penny-sized hail.

The public reported that nickel-sized hail covered the ground.

The Ft. Oglethorpe Police Department reported penny-sized hail.

The Times Courier of Ellijay reported that a creek along Harold Prichett Road, near Georgia Highway 282 in the southwest part of the county, left its banks and sent a tremendous amount of water through yards and driveways in the area. Minor flooding was also reported in other areas of the county as well.

The Times Courier of Ellijay reported that lightning struck a log home off Big Creek Road causing very minor damage to the structure.

The public reported penny-sized hail.

The Rockdale-Citizen of Conyers reported that lightning struck a home on Miller Bottom Road setting the home on fire. Fire investigators determined that the fire started in the crawl space of the home as the lightning arced over from an iron sewer line to a copper gas line. The lone resident of the house, a 95-year old female (whose 96-year birthday was the next day) was unable to make it to an exit before being overcome of smoke inhalation and subsequently died.

A storm spotter for the National Weather Service reported that the metal awning was blown off a gas station at the intersection of Austell and Callaway Roads.

The Greene county 911 center reported penny-sized hail.

An amateur radio operator reported penny-sized hail.

The Carroll county 911 center reported that they have received two calls about trees down on power lines.

The Haralson county 911 center reported penny-sized hail.

An amateur radio operator reported penny-sized hail.

The Cobb county 911 center reported that water was up to four feet deep on International North Parkway, causing a portion of the road to be closed. Water was also flowing across other roads in Marietta. Sope Creek, also in Marietta, crested at 12 feet, after one to three inches of rain fell within three hours or less.

The Times Herald of Newnan reported that lightning struck a home on Jeb Stuart Road setting the attic and roof on fire, both of which suffered major damage. The master bedroom and bath also suffered minor damage.

Very heavy rain forced Peachtree Creek in North Atlanta to rise quickly to flood stage. The creek crested at 18.5 feet around 4 am EDT, 1.5 feet above the flood stage of 17.0 feet. Flooding of nearby roads, including Woodward Way resulted. In addition, the lower levels of several nearby apartments were also flooded.

Very heavy rain forced Peachtree Creek in North Atlanta to rise quickly to flood stage. The creek crested at 18.5 feet around 4 am EDT, 1.5 feet above the flood stage of 17.0 feet. Flooding of nearby roads, including Hanover West Drive, resulted. The lower levels of several apartments nearby were flooded as well as yards of homes near the creek. Nancy Creek, which flows into Peachtree Creek, was also in flood as a result of the heavy rain.

The Walker county 911center reported extensive flooding to a number of roads in the Chickamauga area. Consequently, dozens of roads were rendered impassable and had to be closed. In addition, evacuations of several residences near Chickamauga Creek were necessary as the creek rose well out of its banks cresting at its highest level ever. A rescue was necessary along Georgia Highway 136 east of Cooper Heights.

The Dade county 911 center reported that extensive flooding of roads was observed across the entire county. Several dozen roads in the county were flooded with water flowing across them and were thus closed. A number of mud slides were also noted as saturated soil combined with several inches of additional rainfall to bring mud and even some trees down the sides of hills. At least one residence had to be evacuated because of flood waters.

The Catoosa county 911 center and the Catoosa County News of Ringgold reported that a number of roads in the county were flooded and had to be closed. All together the county Emergency Management Director reported that 29 roads were closed, some for two days. At least $100,000 dollars worth of damage was done to county roads, including four road collapses (Catlick Road, Rolling Hills Road, West Cloud Springs Road, and Lake Road) and three mud slides (Adkins Road, Potts Road, and Salem Valley Road). Several homes and businesses were also flooded Several apartments in Fort Oglethorpe had to be evacuated because of rising flood waters as Chickamauga Creek near Fort Oglethorpe and Graysville reached record levels. Lake Ringgold overflowed its banks as well, flooding nearby roads, several of which had to be closed. Several homes in Ringgold were flooded, the basement of the Old Fort Baptist Church in Fort Oglethorpe was flooded, the Battlewood Apartments were flooded when Black Branch Creek overflowed its banks, and a large furniture liquidation store warehouse was flooded with over eight inches of water inside the store. Store owners estimated that damages to the furniture inventory was in excess of $500,000. The Gilbert Stephenson Park was also completely flooded.

The Whitfield county 911 center reported that a number of roads around the county were flooded and had to be closed. The Daily Citizen of Dalton reported that up to 16 roads were flooded and had to be either closed or marked as being in a "caution" state. Prater's Mill State Park on Georgia Highway 2 was flooded and the flood waters approached the Prater's Mill Store.

The Dade county 911 center reported that several trees were down from the Dade/Walker county border near Lookout Mountain to Trenton.

The Catoosa county 911 center reported that several trees were blown down.

The Walker county 911 center reported penny-sized hail.

The Walker county 911 center reported that some trees were blown down.

The Walker county 911 center and the Walker county Sheriff reported that a number of trees were blown down in the city. Some of the trees fell on homes causing structural damage. There were several sightings of funnel clouds in the area as observed by the Sheriff, the La Fayette police department, and from reports given to the county 911 center.

The Walker county 911 center reported penny-sized hail.

The Catoosa county 911 center reported that some trees were blown down.

The Chattooga county 911 center reported that a number of trees were down across the county. Two structures were also damaged, one a hangar building near Summerville. Wind damage was wide spread across the county. The Summerville News reported that a number of trees and power lines were blown down across the county, including two very large trees which fell across Union Street in Summerville crushing two cars and damaging a third. Also, in Summerville, a large set of aluminum bleachers were lifted off their legs and crumpled up against a power pole and the roof was blown off an auto body shop on Georgia Highway 48. In Menlo, a number of trees were also knocked down. A large oak tree fell on and crushed a truck while another vehicle nearby was also damaged by the uprooted tree. A house behind Mason's Funeral Home was also damaged by a fallen tree.

The Calhoun Times newspaper reported that several homes in the county were struck by lightning. However, no structural fires resulted and no damage was reported.

The Summerville News reported that lightning struck the Teloga Baptist Church and set the foyer on fire. The church suffered moderate damage as a result.

The Gordon county Emergency Management Director and the 911 center reported that a number of trees and power lines were down across the county, especially in Sugar Valley, Oostanaula, Sonoraville, and just south of Calhoun. A tree fell on a mobile home in Sugar Valley and the steeple of a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant on Georgia Highway 53, just south of Calhoun, was toppled by the high winds.

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

The Gordon county 911 center reported penny-sized hail and the public reported quarter-sized hail.

The Floyd county 911 center reported that two trees were blown down in the city and a power line was also brought down.

The public reported penny-sized hail.

The Murray county 911 center reported that several trees had been blown down around the county, especially in the Cisco area.

The Floyd county Emergency Management Director and the county 911 center reported extensive flooding of roads around the county because of flash flooding and river flooding as four to five inches of rain was reported in just a few hours during the late morning and early afternoon. Nearly 30 roads around the county had to be closed because of flooding. Twenty to 30 residents of the Willingham Village Apartments in West Rome had to be evacuated because of flood waters as a nearby creek overflowed its banks. The Rome News Tribune reported that flooding was quite extensive across the county, especially in the Rome area. A number of homes in the Rome area were also flooded, and several businesses in downtown Rome were also flooded. The Garden Lakes area suffered extensive flooding with a number of homes flooded. In some cases, the water rose several feet on the homes. On Martha Berry Highway, water rose as high as the back of a sofa in one home. In downtown Rome, water seeped through three levels at Adams Furniture ruining thousands of dollars of furniture in the storage area. Next door to the furniture store, some offices were damaged from the flood water.

The Bartow county 911 center reported that several trees were blown down around the county, especially in Adairsville. An outbuilding was also damaged in Adairsville. There were reports of funnel cloud sightings during the event and a tornado warning was in effect at the time.

The Times Courier of Ellijay reported that lightning struck a phone line and a power line at the intersection of Old Georgia Highway 5 South and Progress Road causing a small fire.

The Fannin county 911 center reported that around five dozen trees were blown down.

The Pickens county 911 center reported penny-sized hail.

The Cherokee county Emergency Management Director and the Cherokee county Sheriff both observed a funnel cloud north of Canton.

The public reported that a number of roads in the city were flooded with water flowing across them.

The Cherokee county Emergency Management Director reported penny-sized hail near the Bartow county line off Georgia Highway 140 about 3 miles west of Beasley Gap.

The Cherokee county Emergency Management Director reported that a number of trees had been blown down by strong straight line winds from Waleska to Ball Ground.

The Gilmer county 911 center reported that some trees were blown down.

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

The Bartow county 911 center reported that some trees and power lines were down on Bells Ferry Road.

The Cherokee county Emergency Management Director witnessed and conducted a survey on an F0 to weak F1 tornado that tore a short one-mile path through the Keithsburg community just north of Canton. The tornado touched down just one mile north of the intersection of Interstate 575 and Georgia Highway 5 traveling east at approximately 50 miles an hour for around 1 minute, terminating on the east side of Keithsburg near Green Road. Tin roofs to the Haynes Lumber Company near Interstate-575 were damaged along with damage to a rental home on Green Road in Keithsburg. Multiple points of damage to trees and power lines in the area was also noted. The Emergency Management Director and the local Sheriff had spotted a funnel cloud just north of Canton earlier and the Emergency Management Director witnessed the tornado at 12:56 pm EDT. No injuries or fatalities were reported during the incident.

The Chattooga county 911 center reported that a number of roads in the county were flooded with water flowing across them. Evacuations of some residents were necessary in Summerville. The Summerville News reported that Summerville's Dowdy Park was completely flooded by Town Branch Creek, as well as the walking bridge at Summerville Park. At least one home in the Dowdy Park area was also flooded.

The Cherokee county Emergency Management Director reported that a large tree, blown down by thunderstorm winds, fell on a house just west of Canton, causing considerable damage to the structure.

An amateur radio operator reported penny-sized hail.

A storm spotter and the Bartow county Emergency Management Director reported extensive and major flooding of more than a dozen roadways in the county. Flooding was most notable in the Adairsville area. Some of the roads were more than two feet under water.

The Hall county Emergency Management Director reported that a number of trees were down north and northwest of Gainesville in Murrayville and on Clarks-Bridges Road north of the north end of Lake Lanier. A mobile home sustained damage in Murrayville because of downed trees. Other trees were down in Gainesville and Oakwood. There were numerous sightings of funnel clouds northwest of Gainesville from Clermont to near White Sulphur.

The Hall county Emergency Management Director reported observing a funnel cloud in the Clermont area northwest of Gainesville. Additional sightings of funnel clouds were received from the public in the Clarks-Bridge Road area north of Gainesville.

Numerous reports of hail, ranging in size from nickels to golf balls were received from the public, the Hall county 911 center, and the Hall county Emergency Management Director. The public reported golf ball-sized hail just east of Chestnut Mountain, while the public and the Emergency Management Director reported golf ball-sized hail in Flowery Branch. The county 911 center reported quarter-sized hail in Gainesville and Oakwood, and the public reported nickel size hail in Gainesville and west of Gainesville near River Forks Park.

The Forsyth county 911 center reported penny to quarter-sized hail.

The Banks county Emergency Management Director reported that some trees were down on at least two roads in the city.

The Banks county Emergency Management Director reported observing a funnel cloud in the area. Another funnel cloud sighting in the same area was also received from the public

The Jackson county 911 center relayed a number of funnel cloud reports from the Braselton area.

The Jackson county 911 center reported that a number of trees had been blown down around the county.

The Pickens county 911 center reported that very heavy rain had quickly forced Price Creek above flood stage resulting in flooding of nearby areas between Georgia Highway 136 and the Gilmer county line along and near East Price Creek Road.

The Polk county 911 center reported that a number of roads were flooded across the county and a number of small creeks and streams were out of their banks as well.

A storm survey team from the National Weather Service office in Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina and the Madison county Emergency Management Director determined that an F1 tornado touched down in extreme northeast Madison county in the city of Harrison and traveled on the ground to the east for 3 miles passing into Elbert county west of Bowman. The tornado ranged from 100 to 200 yards wide. Twenty homes in the area sustained moderate to major damage, two mobile homes were destroyed, two chicken houses were destroyed and a host of other outbuildings were demolished, including a garage and auto shop off Georgia Highway 281, an adjacent pickup truck, a block shop and adjacent fishing boat. Numerous large trees were either uprooted or snapped off along the damage path and a number of power lines were knocked down as well. There were no injuries or deaths reported during the incident.

The Ball Ground Post Office reported that a number of roads in the area were flooded and impassable.

The Forsyth county 911 center reported that several roads in Cumming were flooded with water flowing over the roads. The Forsyth County News reported that in the northwest part of the county, the Etowah River flooded an area the size of a football field. Nicholson Road was under four feet of water.

An amateur radio operator reported penny-sized hail.

A storm spotter for the National Weather Service reported that several large five to six inch diameter limbs were blown down by thunderstorm winds.

A spotter for the National Weather Service office in Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina reported that a number of trees were down. Winds were estimated at 70 mph.

The public reported quarter-sized hail in Hull, Colbert and six miles north of Comer.

The Clarke county Emergency Management Director reported that several trees were down on power lines. A storm spotter for the National Weather Service also reported large limbs down in the Oconee Heights area northwest of Athens.

Weather observers for the Federal Aviation Administration at the Athens Airport Control Tower reported observing a funnel cloud, possibly a tornado, to their north and northeast. Other reports of funnel clouds and tornadoes were received from the public in the Winterville area about five minutes later.

The Oglethorpe county Emergency Management Director reported that a number of large trees were blown down, some on power lines and some on vehicles. The power was out in the area for several hours following the event.

The Oglethorpe county Emergency Management Director reported that he witnessed a funnel cloud in the area.

The Oglethorpe county Emergency Management Director reported penny-sized hail.

The Cobb county 911 center and the public reported that several roads were flooded in the north part of the county, especially in the Marietta area. Sope Creek quickly rose to well above its 12.0 foot flood stage in just a few hours.

The Paulding county 911 center reported that a number of roads around the county were flooded with water flowing over them.

The public reported that two trees and a couple of power lines were down.

The Athens Banner Herald reported that some streets in the city were flooded. At least one street had to be closed.

The Wilkes county Emergency Management Director reported golf ball-sized hail in Tignall and the public reported golf ball-sized hail near Norman.

The Oglethorpe county 911 center reported that some trees and power lines were blown down. There were a number of funnel cloud sightings in the county, but no tornado touchdowns were reported.

The Gwinnett county 911 center reported that several roads were flooded in various parts of the county.

The Wilkes county Emergency Management Director reported that some trees and power lines were blown down.

The public reported significant flooding in the East Point area as a creek rose four feet out of its banks flooding homes and apartments in the area. The water rose to the second level of some homes. Several apartments in southwest Atlanta and Buckhead were also flooded with up to one foot of water in some of the apartments.

The public reported flooding on Roswell Road and in the Chastain Park area with 4.5 inches of rain in less than three hours. Peachtree Creek quickly rose to above the flood stage of 17.0 feet for the second time in a 12-hour period. The creek had already risen to 18.0 feet by 350 pm EDT. Flooding of nearby roads, yards, and the Cross Creek Country Club Golf Course resulted.

The Wilkes county Emergency Management Director reported golf ball-sized hail.

The Haralson county Sheriff reported that numerous roads were flooded, impassable, and closed. In addition, several creeks were flowing out of their banks, including Beech Creek near Waco. The Haralson county Emergency Management Director later reported that up to 62 roads in the county received damage from the flooding, eight of which were washed out and impassable pending major repairs. One home was totally destroyed when a large tree fell through the house as the result of flood waters washing away the roots. In addition, an earthen dam on a small lake in a subdivision was on the verge of being breached and threatening homes in the area

The Douglas county Emergency Management Director reported that a number of roads in the county were flooded with water flowing over the roads.

The public reported flooding of several roads in the north part of the county. Briarcliff and Briarlake Roads were reported to be two to three feet under water and Cody Circle in Tucker had about five inches of water flowing over it. A small creek behind the Worthing Creek Apartments in Stone Mountain was out of its banks and flooding the apartment grounds. Official National Weather Service river gage readings showed that Peachtree Creek once again quickly rose above its flood stage of 17.0 feet as heavy rain continued in the area. This was the second time in a 12-hour period that flash flooding had occurred on the creek. Nancy Creek also rose quickly to flash flood stage. Nearby property and roadways were quickly flooded once again, but no significant damage to homes, businesses, or property were reported.

National Weather Service river gage observations showed that significant flooding was once again occurring on Peachtree Creek in north Fulton county and the North Atlanta and Buckhead areas. The creek crested between 18 and 20 feet around 8 pm EDT, well above its 17.0 foot flood stage. This causes considerable flooding of low-lying areas and roads adjacent to the creek, including the Cross Creek County Club northwest of downtown Atlanta.

The public reported that significant flooding was occurring in Conyers near the Rockdale hospital. Four feet of water was flowing over Norton Road.

The Cobb county Emergency Management Director reported that extensive flooding of roads was occurring across much of the county. The flooding forced the evacuation of several residents in various areas of the county. The National Weather Service river gage at Marietta on Sope Creek showed that very heavy rainfall had forced the creek quickly into a flash flood stage. The creek crested at 13.5 feet around 8 pm EDT, well above the 12.0 foot flood stage. Minor flooding of low-lying areas, including property and roads in the immediate vicinity, resulted. The Marietta Daily Journal reported that only one acre of a 22-acre farm in Austell was spared flooding. Butler Creek overflowed its banks along Nance Road in Acworth resulting in nearly half-a-foot of water flowing over the Nance Road Bridge. Some homes were also flooded as well.

The Paulding county 911 center reported that many roads around the county were flooded.

The Carroll county 911 center reported that many roads across the county were flooded, a number of these were impassable. Several roads had been washed out.

The Lamar county 911 center reported that some trees were down on Turner Bridge Road near the Upson county border.

The Times-Herald of Newnan reported that lightning struck the power lines adjacent to a home on Howard Road. A fire erupted in the basement causing moderate damage to the basement and light to moderate damage to the main floor of the home.

The Bibb county 911 center reported that several storm drains in the city were backed up from heavy rain and the resultant runoff, but no flooding was reported.

The Herald-Gazette of Barnesville reported that a very large oak tree was blown down at a residence in the city.

The Carroll county Emergency Management Director reported that extensive flooding of roads was occurring countywide. Nearly 40 roads were impassable because of flooding and had to be closed. Several of these roads were washed out.

The Herald-Gazette of Barnesville reported that several streets in the city were flooded, especially in the downtown area. Flooding was also reported in at least one home.

The Walker county 911 center reported that a number of trees were down across the county, especially in the LaFayette area.

The Morristown, Tennessee National Weather Service Office relayed a measured wind gust of 70 mph from Dalton. Local newspapers reported that a number of trees and power lines were knocked down across the county.

The public reported that a number of trees were blown down throughout the county. Local newspapers also reported that a number of trees and power lines were knocked down in the county.

The Gordon county 911 center reported that a number of roads across the county were flooded.

The Calhoun Times reported that lightning struck a very large tree on Sugar Valley Road. The tree was blown apart by the lightning strike.

The Gilmer county 911 center reported that a number of trees had been blown down around the county.

The Dawson county 911 center reported that several trees were down in the area. A number of power outages had been reported.

The public reported nickel-sized hail.

The Fannin county 911 center reported that a number of roads around the county were flooded with water flowing over them.

The Gilmer county 911 center reported that a number of roads in the county were flooded. The Times Courier of Ellijay reported that an earthen dam collapsed breaking a sewer pipe and sending flash flood waters into a portion of East Ellijay. Four residences were flooded as the water tore through the homes and yards in the area. Property damage was limited, but three trailers were damaged. Nearly 1000 gallons of sewage was released into the flood waters. A number of residents downstream of the dam were evacuated. Another small privately owned dam was also breached by water flowing over the dam.

The Murray county 911 center reported that a number of roads across the county were flooded and impassable. In addition, several creeks and streams were out of their banks.

The Whitfield county Emergency Management Director reported that extensive flash flooding was occurring across the county. Up to 16 roads had to be closed because of flooding and eight more had water flowing over them. One evaucation was necessary as well.

The Fannin county 911 center reported that a number of roads around the county were flooded and impassable.

The Towns county 911 center reported that a number of roads around the county were flooded with water flowing over them.

The Union county 911 center reported that a road had become impassable because of rushing water across the road, while another road was closed because a bridge had become impassable with water flowing over the bridge.

The Caroll county Emergency Management Director reported that a few trees were blown down in the county.

The Franklin News & Banner reported that a number of trees had been blown down across the county, some landing on homes and vehicles. In addition, several mobile homes had been overturned.

Several reports of penny-sized hail were received from amateur radio operators and the public in the Carrollton area.

Local law enforcement personnel, firefighters, and a pilot indicated that they observed funnel clouds and a tornado on the ground. No damage was reported.

The Times Georgian newspaper of Carrollton reported that 40 roads around the county had been washed out by flooding, although on five of these the damage was only minor. Several bridges that cross the Little Tallapoosa River in the Tyus area were washed out. The Carroll county 911 center and the county Emergency Management Director corroborated the flooding reports.

The Carroll county Emergency Management Director reported that several trees and power lines had been blown down around the county.

An employee of the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia conducted a survey and concluded that a very brief F0 tornado touched down just east of Barkers Crossroads just off Nonomis Road. A one-year old house and several adjacent structures suffered considerable damage. A 138 square foot barn was lifted completely off its foundation and the roof of the foundation landed on the roof of the home causing considerable damage to the roof of the home. In addition, a 1200 square foot hay barn was severely damaged along with a small shed and several fences on the property were also severely damaged by downed trees and structural debris. Four large oak trees were also blown down on the property.

An employee of the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia conducted a damage survey and found tree damage consistent with a brief F0 tornado touchdown which crossed Georgia Highway 27 between Centralhatchee and Franklin. Damage was confined mainly to several trees, which were blown down in several directions. It appeared that the tornado was a multi-segmented tornado as it skipped through the woods along and near Georgia Highway 27. The parent funnel cloud continued eastward into Coweta county where it again touched down as an F0 tornado near Newnan.

The Heard county 911 center reported quarter-sized hail.

An off duty Peachtree City, Georgia National Weather Service employee, along with a survey done by another employee of the National Weather Service Office in Peachtree City, Georgia, and numerous articles and pictures from the Newnan Times Herald, as well as eyewitness accounts from the public, indicated that an F0 tornado touched down very briefly in extreme southwest Coweta county near Powers Crossroads. This was a continuation of the tornado that touched down in Heard county near Whispering Pines. Damage was limited to just a couple of downed trees in the area. National Weather Service doppler radar clearly indicated a tornadic signature in the area. Damage attributable to the tornado was generally limited to several downed trees.

The Douglas county Emergency Management Director reported that lightning strikes started structural fires. Little information was known about the extent of the fires or damage.

An amateur radio operator reported that lightning struck and set a home on fire causing moderate damage to the structure. The Newnan Times-Herald reported that lightning struck the VC Street power station which suppies power to the western portion of Newnan.

Several reports were received from the public of trees down, some quite large from just west of Newnan to just east of Newnan. The Times-Herald of Newnan reported that trees were down at five major intersections in Newnan. Minor structural damage was also reported. The Times-Herald Building sustained roof damage from the strong winds and the roof was blown off a storage building in Newnan.

Numerous reports of quarter-sized hail were received from the public just west of Newnan to the White Oak subdivision east of Newnan. Golf ball-sized hail was reported by an off duty National Weather Service employee in Newnan, while baseball-sized hail was reported from the public at another location in Newnan. The Newnan Times-Herald indicated that other reports of quarter-sized hail were received along U. S. Highway 29 about 5 miles north of Newnan.

The Fulton county 911 center reported that several trees were blown down.

A storm spotter for the National Weather Service estimated wind gusts to 65 mph.

A storm spotter for the National Weather Service observed penny-sized hail.

An aerial storm survey, conducted by an employee of the National Weather Service Office in Peachtree City, Georgia, along with numerous reports from the public, amateur radio operators, and a plethora of articles and pictures from the Newnan Times-Herald newspaper, indicated that strong thunderstorm winds caused extensive damage to trees in the Summer Grove Subdivison southeast of Newnan, east of Interstate-85 and south of Lower Fayetteville Road. The Coweta county Emergency Management Director estimated that several hundred trees were blown down, along with a number of telephone poles and associated power lines and telephone wires. The majority of the damage in the subdivision occurred near Chandler Lake. Literally hundreds of trees in the subdivision were blown down. Damage to homes in this area was minor, although there were a couple of instances where trees fell on homes, one falling through the roof of a home. Extensive and even more significant damage to trees and homes was observed east of the Summer Grove subdivision to Georgia Highway 154 and Fisher Road in the Sharpsburg area. In the Heritage Trace subdivision, a tree fell on two homes and trapped the occupants. Another home had a part of its siding blown off. Numerous large trees were reported down by the public in the White Oak Subdivision off Georgia Highway 34 east of Newnan. White Oak Drive and Mary Freeman Road were both closed because of downed trees and power lines. One tree even fell into a resident's swimming pool. Another tree fell on and crushed a brand new minivan. The chimney cover at Links Court on the Greens at White Oak was blown off. Damage to homes in the area was largely in the form of peeled shingles and other light to moderate roof damage, although there were a couple of homes that received damage from fallen trees. Damage was also reported to a taxi service on Greenville Street where the awning was blown off.

An off duty National Weather Service employee from the Peachtree City, Georgia office reported that trees were down just west of Peachtree City. The Fayette county 911 center reported that trees and power lines were down in Peachtree City.

The Coweta county 911 center reported that a number of roads around the county were flooded with water flowing over the roads. Several small creeks were also flowing out of their banks. The Newnan-Times Herald reported that a small portion of Dr. Fisher Road was flooded, as well as the Whitlock soccer fields in Newnan and water was high along Georgia Highway 54 in Sharpsburg. The Newnan Times-Herald reported that 15 homes were flooded.

The Heard county 911 center reported that many roads across the county were flooded with water flowing across the roads. Several individuals has to be rescued in northern Heard county along Centralhatchee Creek. The News & Banner of Franklin reported that more than 20 roads were left impassable. Several homes in the county also experienced flooding resulting in minor damage. Two individuals had to be rescued from a tree when their Jeep became stranded in flood waters which rose over the hood of the vehicle. Recreational ball fields and the Chattahoochee Walking Trail were completely inundated during and for a couple of days after the flooding commenced.

The public reported flash flooding along Sweetwater Creek.

An amateur radio operator reported penny-sized hail.

The Troup county 911 center reported that a number of trees were down across the county.

The public reported nickel-sized hail.

The Fayette county 911 center reported that several roads were flooded in the county with up to eight inches of water flowing across some of the roads. Most of the flooding was occurring in Peachtree City, where two roads had to be closed.

The Harris county Emergency Manager reported that a number of trees were blown down throughout the county.

The Spalding county Emergency Management Director reported that a number of trees had blown down across the county.

The Meriwether Vindicator of Greenville reported that two men were injured when a tree limb fell on their car during strong thunderstorms with very heavy rain. Both men were treated and released

The Fulton county 911 center reported that several roads were flooded in the Lake Woods area of East Point. Some of these roads had to be closed because of erosion.

The Harris county 911 center reported that a tree was blown down.

An amateur radio operator reported that lightning struck a home and set it on fire. The damage figure was indeterminate.

The Georgia Emergency Management Agency, along with the local Troup county Emergency Manager, reported that excessive rainfall led to extensive and historical flooding across the county. Some areas received as much as 10 inches of rain in 24 hours. Many roads were flooded and washed out. Several major roads, including Interstates 85 and 185, were also flooded and closed in some areas. Interstate-85 was closed from exit 21 to the Alabama border and Interstate-185 was closed at exit 48. Twelve miles of U.S. Highway 27 and four miles of U.S. Highway 29 were also closed in the county. A number of secondary roads were washed out and closed as well. Four bridges (Hunt, Gabbettville, Salem, and Tucker roads) were completely washed out and several others were damaged. A 47-year old Pine Mountain woman was killed when her compact vehicle was caught in flood waters caused by a washed out culvert on a road in the Leisure Lane Estates subdivision near the Meriwether county border. During the height of the flooding, several residents in the Flat Shoals area required evacuation, including three adults and two children. The Georgia Emergency Management agency reported that at least 200 residential structures received damage because of flooding and a number of businesses also sustained moderate to major damage. Several vehicles were also lost in the flood waters, including several fire department vehicles. One home on Dallis Mill Road was washed away and another home on New Hutchinson Mill Road sustained major damage from flooding. At the same residence, two vehicles were lost. A mobile home was also washed away on Webb Road. Significant flooding was reported in the Riverside Trailer Park and Skinnerville area as well. Several businesses were also flooded and damaged, especially in the Avenue B and C area of West Point just east of U.S. Highway 29. Water was also three feet high at the West Ninth and Third Avenue intersections. A Pizza Hut was seriously damaged by flood waters. Much of the restaurant would have to be replaced or rebuilt. A Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant was severely damaged as the high water caved in the front door. The West Point Foundry, Hester Print Shop, Nader's Music Store and the Winston's Flea Market were also flooded and lost several thousand dollars worth of merchandise. The St. John's Episcopal Church day care center was also flooded, resulting in damage, not only to the center itself, but also to the toys, videos, and playground equipment on the premises. A number of roads in the county were closed as a precautionary measure. It was also noted that schools were closed in the county for several days because so many roads were impassable. Finally, it was noted that the Chattahoochee Riverwalk was completely underwater.

The Harris county 911 center reported that two trees were blown down across the driveway of a home.

The Pike county 911 center reported that several roads across the county were flooded. One road was closed because of water flowing across the road and a small dirt road near the Upson county line was washed out.

The Georgia Emergency Management Agency, along with the local Meriwether county Emergency Management Director, reported that excessive rain resulted in extensive and historical flooding across the county. It was estimated that 30 roads in the county had either washed out, had bridges washed out, or had collapsed and would require extensive repair. A dozen familes on Hidden Lake Road were stranded by flood waters and remained so for nearly two days. Four people were injured while travelling in their vehicles on flooded roads. One man barely escaped from his F-350 Ford pickup when it was washed away in flood waters. The pickup truck was never recovered. Another was injured when he traveled onto a portion of a road that had been washed away by flood waters from a creek. Two others were injured in their vehicle when they also traveled onto the portion of another road which had been washed away by yet another creek. Another flooding incident occurred when a county employee was driving the county fire pumper truck to an emergency call when the vehicle was caught in high waters caused by a washed out culvert on Harry Hardy Road. The car fell into the creek, causing extensive damage to the car. All of the injuries were minor.

The Georgia Emergency Management Agency reported that thunderstorm winds, associated with outflow from strong thunderstorms to the west, blew down several trees in the county.

The public reported nickel-sized hail.

The Talbot county 911 center reported that several trees were blown down between Wood Oak Estates and Shiloh on the Harris/Talbot county border.

The Heard county 911 center reported that renewed heavy rain was once again resulting in the flooding of a number of roads across the county.

The Georgia Emergency Management Agency reported that excessive rain resulted in excessive, historical flooding across the entire county. A number of roads and bridges were flooded and washed out and approximately 100 homes in the county sustained significant damage because of flooding. Around 200 residents of the Lake Harding area had to be evacuated from the area because of the flooding.

The Harris county 911 center reported nickel-sized hail.

The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer reported that very heavy rain quickly forced the Holland Creek in Columbus to overflow its banks and cause damage to an adjacent sewer line. Damage was also reported as a result of flooding to the Columbus Convention & Trade Center expansion project, which was well under way.

The Newton county 911 center reported that a number of roads across the county were flooded with water flowing across the roads.

The LaGrange Daily News reported that at least 30 homes and a number of businesses along the Chattahoochee River were flooded as the river crested at 23.3 feet around midnight on May 8th.

The Taylor county Emergency Management Director reported that a 42-year old male drowned in flood waters along U.S. Highway 80, just west of Carsonville. The highway was flooded because of excessive rain from the night before which caused a small creek to become flooded and overflow the roadway. The car became submersed in the flooded waters.

The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer reported that flooding along the Chattahoochee River caused damage to a floating dock, a number of light poles along the Riverwalk in downtown Columbus. A number of trees were also uprooted along the river. The Chattahoochee River crested at 40 feet at noon on May 9th, which is six feet above the floot stage of 34 feet. This was the highest water level observed since March 17, 1990, when the river crested at 41.4 feet.