Hail and Damaging Winds in Georgia, April 11, 2008

An amateur radio operator reported that hail a little larger than nickels fell in the Rock Spring area for about four minutes.

The public observed nickel-sized hail in the Cohutta area. Radar supported that hail of similar size continued to the extreme northeast corner of the county. The public also estimated that winds in the area were near 60 mph, but no wind damage was reported.

A damage survey conducted by the Cherokee County Emergency Management Director confirmed that straight-line thunderstorm winds of 60 to 75 mph caused extensive damage across parts of northern Cherokee county. While downed trees, power lines, and some structural damage was scattered across the northern part of the county, the most concentrated damage was found in three specific areas. The first area extended from just west of Keithsburg near Interstate-575, east-northeastward across the interstate, Georgia Highway 5/Canton Highway, and to near the Etowah River near Cokers Church Road. The second area of significant damage was in the far northeast part of the county along and either side of Yellow Creek Road between Mica and Ophir and extended east into southwest Dawson county. The third area of significant damage was in the east central part of the county just east of and paralleling Georgia Highway 372 between the McGraw Ford Wildlife Management Area and Georgia Highway 369/Hightower Road. This area of damage stopped just short of the Forsyth county line.

In all, one mobile home was destroyed, six vehicles were destroyed, 25 homes sustained minor damage, four agricultural buildings were damaged, an Atlanta Gas-Light substation received minor damage, parts of the Georgia Northeast Railroad tracks just east of Interstate-575 were blocked with downed trees, much debris was found and had to be cleared from county right-of-ways, and power lines were down at multiple locations. Damages were estimated to be $150,000.

A damage survey conducted by the Cherokee and Dawson county emergency managers confirmed that the damage caused by thunderstorm straight-line winds in northern Cherokee county continued into southwest and central Dawson county. The area of damage began just south of the Hollis Q. Latham Reservoir along the Cherokee/Dawson county line and continued on an east-northeastward track across the southern part of the county crossing Georgia Highway 53 near Dougherty and ended near Georgia Highway 400. Georgia Highway 53 was blocked from downed trees west of Georgia Highway 400. Numerous trees and power lines were down throughout the damage area. Several trees were down on homes causing minor to moderate roof damage.

The Dawson county Emergency Management Director reported that lightning struck a home setting it on fire. The fire was extinguished by the homeowner with resulting minimal damage.

The public reported nickel-sized hail along Old Jacksonville Road in western Haralson county near the Alabama state line.

The Hall County Emergency Management Director reported that a mobile home was destroyed by thunderstorm winds on Clarks Bridge Road about eight miles northeast of Gainesville. Another home nearby also had a tree fall on the roof causing damage to the structure. Several trees were down in the Wahoo Creek Bridge area on Mount Vernon Road, one which fell on and damaged an unoccupied vehicle. A few trees and power lines were also down in the Murrayville area in northwest Hall county.

The Towns County 911 Center reported that quarter-sized hail fell east of Hiawassee. Radar data supports that this or slightly smaller hail continued to the extreme northeast corner of the county to near Tate City.