Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Georgia, August 26 to 27, 2008

Name: Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Georgia, August 26 to 27, 2008
Start: 2008-08-26T07:13
End: 2008-08-27T00:00
Location: Georgia

August 26 to 27, 2008 · NWS FFC · 19 events in 14 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. 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: 3
Property damage: $1.9 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 19

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 happened

The episode as NWS FFC wrote it up.

The remnants of tropical storm Fay continued to move northeast into central and northern Alabama on the 26th, then finally into eastern Tennessee on the 27th. This was the day when north and central Georgia experienced its maximum effects from tropical storm Fay. The outer rain bands of tropical storm Fay spawned six tornadoes across north and central Georgia during the afternoon and evening hours of the 26th. The majority of these affected northeast and east central Georgia. Three injuries were reported in Jackson county as a result of one of these tornadoes and damage was reported to a shopping center and an elementary school in Hall county. In addition, widespread heavy rain affected much of north and central Georgia with flash flooding reported in several northeast Georgia mountain counties. Storm total rainfall from Fay was as high as seven to eight inches across the northeast Georgia mountain counties of White, Lumpkin, Union, and Towns, as well as in adjacent Hall county. Similar rainfall totals were observed in parts of west central Georgia south and southeast of Columbus, although most of this occurred during the first passage of Fay to the south through the Florida Panhandle.

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 Aug 26, 4:30 AM EST, 2 hours 43 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 26, 4:30 AM EST, 2 hours 43 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION...UPDATED FOR AVIATION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
530 AM EDT TUE AUG 26 2008

.SHORT TERM /TODAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
T.D. FAY APPEARS TO BE LOCATED BETWEEN MEI AND TCL EARLY THIS
MORNING AND CONTINUES TO CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR THE FORECAST AREA IN
TERMS OF POTENTIAL FLOODING AND POSSIBLE TORNADOES. STILL
CONSIDERABLE SPIRAL OUTER FEEDER BAND ACTIVITY NOTED EAST OF THE
CENTER...ONE EXTENDING N-S ACROSS EASTERN AL AND ANOTHER EXITING
EASTERN GA. IN BETWEEN...THERE IS A FAIRLY LARGE AREA WITH LITTLE OR
NO PCPN. 00Z GFS TRACK FOR THE REMNANTS OF FAY REMAINS VERY SIMILAR
TO PREVIOUS RUNS...TAKING THE REMNANTS OF WHICH GENERALLY NNE FROM
ITS CURRENT LOCATION INTO EASTERN TN...NEAR CSV BY TONIGHT...THEN NE
INTO THE MD/PA AREA BY THU. WITH THIS TRACK...THE REMNANT CORE RAIN
SHOULD REMAIN CONFINED TO NW/NC GA...BUT EASTERLY UPSLOPE FLOW WILL
CONTINUE TO ENHANCE ACTIVITY OVER NE GA. FURTHER SOUTH ACROSS THE
REMAINDER OF THE CWA...EXPECT BKN SPIRAL FEEDER BANDS TO CONTINUE TO
TRACK ACROSS THE AREA THROUGHOUT TODAY...WITH THE EMPHASIS FOR SUCH
GRADUALLY SHIFTING FURTHER NORTH AND EASTWARD AS THE REMNANT LOW
CENTER MOVES INTO MIDDLE/EASTERN TN. THE TWO IMMEDIATE THREATS FOR
FLOODING AND TORNADOES CONTINUES AND WILL BE ADDRESSED SEPARATELY.

A SIGNIFICANT AREA OF 40-45KT WINDS AT 850MB CONTINUES TO WRAP
AROUND THE REMNANT CENTER OF FAY. THIS WEAKENS RAPIDLY BETWEEN 12Z
AND 18Z...AND SO THE TORNADO THREAT SHOULD DIMINISH AS WELL. THE
POSSIBLE EXCEPTION WOULD BE THE FAR NE CORNER...WHERE SLIGHTLY
STRONGER LOW-LEVEL SHEAR WILL EXIST THROUGHOUT THE DAY. THUS...THE
TORNADO THREAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERABLY LESS THAN IT WAS MONDAY...AND
SO FAR WE HAVE NOT CONFIRMED ANY TORNADO TOUCHDOWNS IN OUR CWA FROM
THIS EVENT.

WITH RESPECT TO FLOODING...THE THREAT FOR SUCH REMAINS QUITE HIGH
ACROSS OUR NORTHERN COUNTIES. HEAVY RAINS FROM MON HAVE SATURATED
THE SOILS IN THESE AREAS AND 6-HR FFG GUIDANCE VALUES ARE ABOUT AN
INCH LOWER THAN THEY WERE 24 HRS AGO. SINCE THE STRONGER CELLS HAVE
BEEN MOVING ALONG FAIRLY RAPIDLY...FFG VALUES HAVE GENERALLY NOT
BEEN ACHIEVED EXCEPT IN LOCALIZED AREAS. HOWEVER...THE POTENTIAL FOR
AN ADDITIONAL 4-5 INCHES OF RAIN THROUGH 00Z STILL EXISTS ACROSS
NORTH GA...GENERALLY NORTH OF I-20 AND WEST OF I-85 THROUGHOUT
TODAY. GIVEN THE TRACK OF THE REMNANTS OF FAY...THE HEAVIEST RAIN
SHOULD FALL ACROSS OUR NC/NW ZONES. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT
EASTERLY UPSLOPE FLOW IN THE HIGHER TERRAIN OF NC/NE GA AND THE
FLOOD/FLASH FLOOD THREAT IN THAT AREA IS QUITE REAL DURING THE NEXT
18 HRS OR SO. FLOOD THREAT FOR CENTRAL AREAS SHOULD BE CONSIDERABLY
LESS AS ACTIVITY WILL REMAIN MORE SPOTTY AND ANY FLOODING WOULD BE
LOCALIZED AND BRIEF WITH BKN SPIRAL FEEDER BAND ACTIVITY. PROJECTED
GFS/HPC QPF DOES NOT JUSTIFY KEEPING THE FFA IN CENTRAL AREAS. WOULD
PREFER TO CANCEL THE FFA FOR THE CENTRAL AREAS AND CONFINE TO
WC...NW...NC...AND NE GA...BUT GIVEN THAT IT IS ALREADY OUT...NOT
SURE CANCELING AT THIS POINT IN THE GAME IS WISE...SO WILL PROBABLY
LEAVE AS IS WITH THIS PACKAGE.

THE GFS INSISTS ON PULLING THE REMNANTS OF FAY NORTH OUT OF THE CWA
WED...WITH DRIER NW FLOW ALOFT EVOLVING OVER THE AREA AS IT BECOMES
CAUGHT IN A FAIRLY STRONG SHORT WAVE MOVING THROUGH THE NE U.S.
MEANWHILE...A BROAD RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE DEVELOPS JUST TO OUR
SOUTH...WITH ANOTHER STRONGER CENTER IN THE SW U.S. NORTHWEST FLOW
ALOFT BECOMES QUITE ACTIVE ACROSS THE NORTHERN STATES...BUT JUST
BRUSHES THE TN VALLEY. GFS MOS POPS DROP TO LESS THAN 20
PERCENT...AND MOSTLY LESS THAN 10 PERCENT AFT WED MORNING FOR MOST
OF THE CWA. THE NAM...HOLDS A SFC TROUGH ACROSS EASTERN GA EVEN
AFTER FAY MOVES OUT...AND KEEPS HIGH POPS THROUGHOUT THE SHORT TERM.
THE GFS HINTS AT A SFC TROUGH REMAINING FURTHER EAST OVER THE
CAROLINAS...BUT EAST OF OUR CWA. SINCE THE GFS HAS BEEN THE MODEL OF
CHOICE ALL ALONG WITH FAY...WILL SIDE TOWARD IT AND ADVERTISE MUCH
LOWER POPS FOR LATE WED-THU. HOPEFULLY...THIS WILL PAN OUT.

TEMPS WILL CONTINUE TO BE PROBLEMATIC. WOULD EXPECT INCREASING
POTENTIAL FOR SUNSHINE IN OUR CENTRAL AND EASTERN ZONES TODAY AS THE
CORE OF FAY MOVES SLOWLY AWAY FROM THE AREA. THIS WILL ALLOW MAX
TEMPS TO REACH THE 80S AS ADVERTISED IN THESE AREAS...BUT NORTHERN
AREAS...GENERALLY NORTH OF I-20 SHOULD STAY IN THE 70S...AS WAS THE
CASE MON. MIN TEMPS WILL REMAIN IN THE 70S AGAIN TONIGHT AS
LOW-LEVEL TROPICAL MOISTURE REMAINS IN PLACE.

.LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/...
THE EXTENDED FORECAST LEAVES MANY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS...BUT OVERALL
LOOKS VERY WET EXCEPT FOR PERHAPS A BRIEF RESPITE IN THE THU-FRI
TIME FRAME. WE NO MORE GET RID OF FAY...THEN WE HAVE TO START
WORRYING ABOUT GUSTAV. THERE REMAINS CONSIDERABLE QUESTION AT THIS
POINT AS TO WHEN OR EVEN IF GUSTAV WILL IMPACT OUT AREA. ONLY THE
ECMWF AND THE HURRICANE MODELS...GFDL/HWRF...EVEN SEE GUSTAV. THE
GFS AND UKMET HAVE A VERY WEAK LOW PRESSURE AREA MOVING SOUTHWEST
INTO THE SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN. THERE IS ANOTHER HURRICANE GENERATED
OFF THE EAST COAST BY THE GFS...BUT IT APPEARS TO REMAIN WELL OUT TO
SEA. AT ANY RATE DIURNAL CONVECTION SHOULD ONCE AGAIN BE ON THE
INCREASE BY THE WEEKEND. A WEAK FRONT DRIFTS INTO THE AREA FROM THE
NW AND STALLS BY SAT. AT THE SAME TIME...WEAK LOW PRESSURE ALOFT
DEVELOPS OVER THE AREA WITH THE AFOREMENTIONED SFC TROUGH AND
ASSOCIATED ATLANTIC MOISTURE DRIFTING BACK TO THE WEST INTO THE CWA.
THE PATTERN IS ALL SOMEWHAT QUESTIONABLE AND PROBLEMATIC.
HOWEVER...WITH TROPICAL MOISTURE REMAINING IN PLACE...DIURNAL
CONVECTION SHOULD BE INCREASING THROUGH THE PERIOD...SO PLAN ON GOOD
CHANCE POPS INCREASING FROM THE EAST THROUGH THE PERIOD. TEMPS AT
THE BEGINNING OF THE EXTENDED SHOULD BE CLOSER TO SEASONAL NORMS
WITH HIGH PRESSURE ALOFT STRAIGHTING OVER THE AREA. HIGH LOW-LEVEL
MOISTURE CONTENT SHOULD KEEP MOST AREAS AOB 90 HOWEVER. MAX TEMPS
WILL DECREASE SOME BY EARLY NEXT WEEK AS RAIN CHANCES INCREASE.
MORNING CONDITIONS WILL REMAIN WARM AND MUGGY. MEX MOS MAX TEMPS
ARE WAY TOO WARM AND MEX MOS MIN TEMPS ARE WAY TOO COOL THROUGH
THE LATER PORTIONS OF THE EXTENDED PERIODS AND HAVE ADJUSTED ACCORDINGLY.
&&

.AVIATION...
WIDESPREAD IFR CIGS ACROSS THE CWA AREA THIS MORNING AS BANDS OF
SHOWERS ASSOCIATED WITH FAY CONTINUE TO OVERSPREAD THE AREA. VSBYS
FOR THE MOST PART MVFR OR BETTER (EVEN IN THE RAIN AREAS). EXPECT THESE
CONDITIONS TO PERSIST THROUGH MUCH OF THE MORNING...WITH CIGS
IMPROVING INTO THE MVFR RANGE BY NOON. ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS
POSSIBLE IN RAIN BANDS AND PLAN TO GO WITH VCTS ALL TAF
SITES...(WITH TEMPO SHOWERS...ESPECIALLY THIS MORNING). SOUTHEAST
WINDS 5 TO 10 KTS THIS MORNING...10 TO 15 KTS THIS AFTERNOON.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
ATHENS          81  72  82  70  89 / 100  80  20  20  20
ATLANTA         79  72  83  70  87 /  90  60  20  20  10
BLAIRSVILLE     71  69  75  66  84 / 100 100  30  30  20
CARTERSVILLE    77  71  83  69  88 / 100  60  20  20  10
COLUMBUS        84  73  87  72  92 /  60  40  20  20  10
GAINESVILLE     75  71  80  68  86 / 100 100  30  30  20
MACON           85  73  87  70  92 /  70  40  20  20  20
ROME            78  71  83  69  88 / 100  60  20  20  10
PEACHTREE CITY  81  71  84  69  88 /  90  50  20  20  10
VIDALIA         89  75  91  74  91 /  70  40  20  20  20

&&

.FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FLASH FLOOD WATCH THROUGH THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING ZONES:
BANKS...BARROW...BARTOW...BIBB...BUTTS...CARROLL...CATOOSA...
CHATTAHOOCHEE...CHATTOOGA...CHEROKEE...CLARKE...CLAYTON...COBB...
COWETA...CRAWFORD...CRISP...DADE...DAWSON...DEKALB...DOOLY...
DOUGLAS...FANNIN...FAYETTE...FLOYD...FORSYTH...GILMER...GORDON...
GREENE...GWINNETT...HALL...HARALSON...HARRIS...HEARD...HENRY...
HOUSTON...JACKSON...JASPER...JONES...LAMAR...LUMPKIN...MACON...
MADISON...MARION...MERIWETHER...MONROE...MORGAN...MURRAY...
MUSCOGEE...NEWTON...NORTH FULTON...OCONEE...OGLETHORPE...
PAULDING...PEACH...PICKENS...PIKE...POLK...PUTNAM...ROCKDALE...
SCHLEY...SOUTH FULTON...SPALDING...STEWART...SUMTER...TALBOT...
TAYLOR...TOWNS...TROUP...UNION...UPSON...WALKER...WALTON...
WEBSTER...WHITE...WHITFIELD.

TORNADO WATCH UNTIL 10 AM EDT THIS MORNING FOR THE FOLLOWING
ZONES: BIBB...BLECKLEY...CHATTAHOOCHEE...CRAWFORD...CRISP...
DOOLY...HARRIS...HEARD...HOUSTON...JONES...LAMAR...MACON...
MARION...MERIWETHER...MONROE...MUSCOGEE...PEACH...PIKE...
PULASKI...SCHLEY...STEWART...SUMTER...TALBOT...TAYLOR...TROUP...
TWIGGS...UPSON...WEBSTER...WILCOX.

&&

19

Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 26, 4:58 AM EST, 2 hours 15 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
558 AM EDT TUE AUG 26 2008

GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086-
089>098-102>113-271000-
BALDWIN-BANKS-BARROW-BARTOW-BIBB-BLECKLEY-BUTTS-CARROLL-CATOOSA-
CHATTAHOOCHEE-CHATTOOGA-CHEROKEE-CLARKE-CLAYTON-COBB-COWETA-
CRAWFORD-CRISP-DADE-DAWSON-DEKALB-DODGE-DOOLY-DOUGLAS-EMANUEL-
FANNIN-FAYETTE-FLOYD-FORSYTH-GILMER-GLASCOCK-GORDON-GREENE-
GWINNETT-HALL-HANCOCK-HARALSON-HARRIS-HEARD-HENRY-HOUSTON-JACKSON-
JASPER-JEFFERSON-JOHNSON-JONES-LAMAR-LAURENS-LUMPKIN-MACON-
MADISON-MARION-MERIWETHER-MONROE-MONTGOMERY-MORGAN-MURRAY-
MUSCOGEE-NEWTON-NORTH FULTON-OCONEE-OGLETHORPE-PAULDING-PEACH-
PICKENS-PIKE-POLK-PULASKI-PUTNAM-ROCKDALE-SCHLEY-SOUTH FULTON-
SPALDING-STEWART-SUMTER-TALBOT-TALIAFERRO-TAYLOR-TELFAIR-TOOMBS-
TOWNS-TREUTLEN-TROUP-TWIGGS-UNION-UPSON-WALKER-WALTON-WARREN-
WASHINGTON-WEBSTER-WHEELER-WHITE-WHITFIELD-WILCOX-WILKES-
WILKINSON-
558 AM EDT TUE AUG 26 2008

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT
ISOLATED SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS...INCLUDING ISOLATED TORNADOES...ARE
POSSIBLE ACROSS MUCH OF NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA TODAY. FLOODING
RAINS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE ACROSS MUCH OF THE AREA TODAY.

.SYNOPSIS...
REMNANTS OF FAY CENTERED OVER NORTH-CENTRAL ALABAMA THIS MORNING WILL
DRIFT NORTHEAST INTO TENNESSEE TONIGHT.

.PRIMARY HAZARDS...
THE PRIMARY HAZARD WILL BE SHORT LIVED TORNADOES...AND WILL BE
POSSIBLE JUST ABOUT ANYTIME TODAY AS FAY MEANDERS WEST OF THE
STATE. HEAVY FLOODING RAINS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE TODAY...GENERALLY
NORTH AND WEST OF A CORDELE TO MACON TO CRAWFORD LINE...AND
ESPECIALLY NEAR THE GEORGIA MOUNTAINS.

.DISCUSSION...
REMNANTS OF FAY WILL MEANDER ACROSS NORTHERN ALABAMA TODAY THEN
DRIFT ACROSS TENNESSEE TONIGHT. THERE REMAINS ENOUGH SHEAR FROM FAY
THAT COULD PRODUCE AN ISOLATED TORNADO ACROSS THE AREA TODAY...
ESPECIALLY THIS MORNING. HEAVY TROPICAL SHOWERS CAN BE EXPECTED TO
CONTINUE...WITH SOME LOCATIONS POSSIBLY SEEING AN ADDITIONAL 2 TO 4
INCHES OF RAIN BEFORE THE PRECIPITATION BEGINS TO TAPER OFF BY
LATE DAY.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY
THERE WILL BE A CHANCE FOR THUNDERSTORMS EACH DAY...ESPECIALLY  OVER
THE WEEKEND INTO MONDAY AS A FRONTAL BOUNDARY STALLS OVER THE STATE.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
SPOTTERS SHOULD MONITOR THE LATEST INFORMATION AND BE PREPARED FOR
POSSIBLE ACTIVATION TODAY.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 26, 4:53 AM EST, 2 hours 20 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
553 AM EDT TUE AUG 26 2008

GAZ052-053-066-067-078-261100-
553 AM EDT TUE AUG 26 2008

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR HEAVY RAIN IN HARRIS...TROUP...
MERIWETHER...HEARD AND COWETA COUNTIES UNTIL 700 AM EDT...

AT 549 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
NUMEROUS SHOWERS WITH HEAVY RAIN MOVING NORTH TO NORTHEAST AT 30 MPH
OVER HARRIS...TROUP...MERIWETHER...HEARD AND COWETA COUNTIES.

RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 0.5 TO 1.5 INCHES HAS OCCURRED IN THIS AREA
SINCE 230 AM EDT. ANOTHER INCH CAN BE EXPECTED THROUGH 700 AM EDT.

DRIVERS SHOULD USE CAUTION AS INTENSE RAINFALL WILL REDUCE
VISIBILITIES. TEMPORARY FLOODING OF STREETS...LOW LYING AREAS AND
PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS IS ALSO LIKELY.

16

Special weather statement, Aug 26, 5:04 AM EST, 2 hours 9 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
604 AM EDT TUE AUG 26 2008

GAZ030>033-041>044-261115-
604 AM EDT TUE AUG 26 2008

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR HEAVY RAIN IN DOUGLAS...CARROLL...
HARALSON...PAULDING...POLK...COBB AND FULTON COUNTIES UNTIL 715 AM
EDT...

AT 559 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
NUMEROUS SHOWERS WITH HEAVY RAIN MOVING NORTH AT 30 MPH OVER
DOUGLAS...CARROLL...HARALSON...PAULDING...POLK...COBB AND FULTON
COUNTIES

RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 0.5 TO 1.5 INCHES HAS OCCURRED IN THIS AREA
SINCE 300 AM EDT. ANOTHER INCH CAN BE EXPECTED THROUGH 700 AM EDT.

DRIVERS SHOULD USE CAUTION AS INTENSE RAINFALL WILL REDUCE
VISIBILITIES. TEMPORARY FLOODING OF STREETS...LOW LYING AREAS AND
PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS IS ALSO LIKELY.

16

Special weather statement, Aug 26, 5:51 AM EST, 1 hour 22 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
651 AM EDT TUE AUG 26 2008

GAZ020>022-261200-
651 AM EDT TUE AUG 26 2008

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR HEAVY RAIN IN FORSYTH...CHEROKEE AND
BARTOW COUNTIES UNTIL 800 AM EDT...

AT 648 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
NUMEROUS SHOWERS WITH HEAVY RAIN MOVING NORTH AT 30 MPH INTO
FORSYTH...CHEROKEE AND BARTOW COUNTIES.

RAINFALL AMOUNTS AROUND ONE HALF INCH HAVE OCCURRED IN THIS AREA
SINCE 400 AM EDT. ANOTHER INCH CAN BE EXPECTED THROUGH 800 AM EDT.

DRIVERS SHOULD USE CAUTION AS INTENSE RAINFALL WILL REDUCE
VISIBILITIES. TEMPORARY FLOODING OF STREETS...LOW LYING AREAS AND
PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS IS ALSO LIKELY.

16

Special weather statement, Aug 26, 6:14 AM EST, 59 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
714 AM EDT TUE AUG 26 2008

GAZ031>034-043>045-053>055-261145-
714 AM EDT TUE AUG 26 2008

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR HEAVY RAIN IN COWETA...FAYETTE...
CLAYTON...DOUGLAS...DEKALB...PAULDING...COBB...GWINNETT AND FULTON
COUNTIES UNTIL 745 AM EDT...

AT 712 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
LINE OF SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY RAIN FROM ACWORTH
TO 5 MILES SOUTHEAST OF SHARPSBURG...MOVING NORTH TO NORTHEAST AT
35 MPH.

RAINFALL AMOUNTS FROM 0.5 TO 1.5 INCHES HAVE OCCURRED IN COWETA...
FAYETTE...CLAYTON...DOUGLAS...DEKALB...PAULDING...COBB...GWINNETT
AND FULTON COUNTIES SINCE 415 AM EDT. ANOTHER INCH CAN BE EXPECTED
THROUGH 745 AM EDT.

DRIVERS SHOULD USE CAUTION AS INTENSE RAINFALL WILL REDUCE
VISIBILITIES. TEMPORARY FLOODING OF STREETS...LOW LYING AREAS AND
PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS IS ALSO LIKELY.

16

Special weather statement, Aug 26, 6:21 AM EST, 52 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
721 AM EDT TUE AUG 26 2008

GAZ078-089-090-102-261200-
721 AM EDT TUE AUG 26 2008

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR HEAVY RAIN AND WIND GUSTS TO 35 MPH
IN STEWART...CHATTAHOOCHEE...MUSCOGEE AND HARRIS COUNTIES UNTIL 800
AM EDT...

AT 717 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS FROM FORT BENNING SOUTH TO 10 MILES SOUTHWEST
OF PROVIDENCE CANYON STATE PARK...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 27 MPH.

RUNOFF FROM THESE STORMS MAY CAUSE MINOR FLOODING OF SMALL CREEKS
AND STREAMS...ALONG WITH PONDING OF WATER IN URBAN AREAS...ON
HIGHWAYS...STREETS AND UNDERPASSES ACROSS
STEWART...CHATTAHOOCHEE...MUSCOGEE AND HARRIS COUNTIES.
ADDITIONALLY...COUNTRY ROADS AND FARMLANDS ALONG THE BANKS OF CREEKS
AND STREAMS ARE SUBJECT TO MINOR FLOODING.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT. CONTINUE TO MONITOR NOAA WEATHER
RADIO...WEATHER.GOV OR OTHER MEDIA OUTLETS FOR FURTHER STATEMENTS OR
POSSIBLE WARNINGS ON THESE STORMS.

Special weather statement, Aug 26, 6:50 AM EST, 23 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
750 AM EDT TUE AUG 26 2008

GAZ032>034-043>045-053>055-057-261230-
750 AM EDT TUE AUG 26 2008

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR HEAVY RAIN IN COWETA...FAYETTE...
HENRY...CLAYTON...DOUGLAS...DEKALB...COBB...GWINNETT AND FULTON
COUNTIES UNTIL 830 AM EDT...

AT 746 AM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
LINE OF SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY RAIN FROM
WHITEWATER TO LEES MILL...MOVING NORTH TO NORTHEAST AT 35 MPH.

RAINFALL AMOUNTS FROM 0.5 TO 1.5 INCHES HAVE OCCURRED IN COWETA...
FAYETTE...HENRY...CLAYTON...DOUGLAS...DEKALB...COBB...GWINNETT AND
FULTON COUNTIES SINCE 430 AM EDT. ANOTHER 1 TO 1.5 INCHES CAN BE
EXPECTED THROUGH 830 AM EDT.

DRIVERS SHOULD USE CAUTION AS INTENSE RAINFALL WILL REDUCE
VISIBILITIES. TEMPORARY FLOODING OF STREETS...LOW LYING AREAS AND
PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS IS ALSO LIKELY.

THE STAGE HEIGHT ON PEACHTREE CREEK AT NORTHSIDE DRIVE IN ATLANTA
WAS 6.1 FEET AT 7 AM EDT. THE ADDITIONAL RAIN EXPECTED IN THIS BASIN
WILL CAUSE THE CREEK TO RISE TO NEAR THE BANKFULL STAGE OF 13 FEET
AROUND 11 AM EDT THIS MORNING.

16

The radar

The Atlanta radar (KFFC), 37 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 12:13 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

6 tornado, 4 thunderstorm wind, 4 funnel cloud, 3 flash flood, 1 hail, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Fulton

When: August 26, 7:13 AM EST to 7:41 AM EST
Where: Fulton County, 0.94 mi N of Ben Hill to 3.48 mi SSW of Sandy Spgs
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 33.694, -84.519

The Fulton County Emergency Management Director reported that six trees were down in western Fulton county, west and northwest of East Point, near the intersection of Butner Road and Campbellton Road, including Howell Mill Road and Acorn Avenue. A little later and a little further north, two more trees were blown down near the intersection of Mount Paran Road and Northside Drive.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cherokee

When: August 26, 8:06 AM EST to 8:29 AM EST
Where: Cherokee County, 2 mi SW of Canton to Ball Ground
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.209, -84.505

The Cherokee County Emergency Management Director reported that several trees were down across the county from two miles southwest of Canton, to seven miles southeast of Canton to Ballground in the northern part of the county. Power lines were brought down with the trees in several instances and several roads were blocked as a result. Wind gusts of 49 mph were measured at the Canton Emergency Operations Center at 845 am EDT. All together at least six trees and at least four power lines were downed. A home was damaged two miles southwest of Canton when a large tree fell onto the structure. A large tree was down on power lines in downtown Ballground blocking the road. A large tree was also down on power lines seven miles southeast of Canton blocking a road. Trees were also down on power lines five miles southeast of Canton. Two large trees were down on a power line five miles north of Canton, also blocking the road. Finally, a large tree was down four miles northwest of Canton.

Tornado, Monroe

When: August 26, 11:10 AM EST to 11:11 AM EST
Where: Monroe County, 2.01 mi SW of Percale to 1.75 mi SW of Percale
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.29 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 33.060, -83.805

The Monroe County Emergency Management Director reported that a brief EF0 tornado touched down near Plant Scherer, a Georgia Power Plant on the north side of Lake Juliette in northeast Monroe county just west of the Jones county line. The tornado touched down in a clear cut area, so no damage was observed. The tornado path length was approximately 1/4 mile long with a maximum path width of 50 yards. The maximum wind speed in the tornado was estimated to be 70 mph.

Funnel Cloud, Crisp

When: August 26, 11:25 AM EST to 12:00 PM EST
Where: Crisp County, 3 mi SSW of Raines to 9 mi ENE of Cordele
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.840, -83.890

The Crisp County Emergency Management Director relayed reports of funnel clouds from the southwest corner of the county all the way to the northeast corner of the county from south-southwest of Raines to just northeast of Tremont.

Tornado, Hall

When: August 26, 11:25 AM EST to 11:27 AM EST
Where: Hall County, 3.46 mi NNW of Gnesville Cotton Mil to 3.25 mi SE of Murrayville
Rating: EF1
Path length: 1.14 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Property damage: $550,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 34.369, -83.862

A survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia and the Hall County Emergency Management Agency confirmed that an EF1 tornado touched down approximately six miles north-northeast of Gainesville, or about 3 miles east-southeast of Murrayville near Mount Vernon Road and tracked on the ground for approximately one mile before lifting. Nearly 200 trees were uprooted or blown down. The downed trees and wind caused damage to approximately 20 homes in the area. The maximum path width of the tornado was about 200 yards. Maximum wind speed in the tornado was estimated to be 90 mph.

Flash Flood, White

When: August 26, 11:30 AM EST to 5:30 PM EST
Where: White County, 7.17 mi W of Cleveland White Arpt to 0.98 mi NNW of Tesnatee
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: $21,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 34.712, -83.856

A storm survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia and information obtained from the White County Emergency Management Director confirmed that flash flooding had occurred at several locations in White County as a result of heavy rain associated with the remnants of tropical storm Fay. Cumulative rainfall of six to eight inches fell across much of White county during the 5-day period that Fay affected the area. However, in excess of three inches of this rainfall occurred on the 26th. Flash flooding was observed along the Chattahoochee River at Helen when the river reached the flood stage of six feet at 230 pm EDT. Minor flooding of parks and tubing businesses along the river was observed. In addition, Brucken Strasse near the Ramada Inn was temporarily closed because of flooding and a sidewalk along Troll Tavern was also closed. Approximately five miles west-northwest of Cleveland, a culvert pipe and asphalt road were washed out at 277 Mill Lane from flash flooding. Finally, approximately four miles northwest of Cleveland, Towns Creek rose out of its banks and flooded several yards in portions of the Paradise Valley Campground. Towns Creek went into flood at Adair Mill Road overflowing the culvert with at least one foot of water flowing over the road. Finally, there was a mudslide on Kellum Valley Road approximately five miles northwest of Cleveland causing temporary closure of the road. The mudslide was 15 feet wide by 20 feet tall. With the exception to damage to Mill Lane, damage from these incidents was minor and mainly in the form of debris cleanup.

Flash Flood, Lumpkin

When: August 26, 11:30 AM EST to 5:30 PM EST
Where: Lumpkin County, 0.57 mi E of Stay to 2.35 mi NNE of Halfway
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: $13,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.549, -83.890

The Lumpkin County Emergency Management Director confirmed that flash flooding had occurred at several locations in eastern Lumpkin county as a result of very heavy rainfall caused by the remnants of tropical storm Fay. Five-day total rainfall for the eastern portion of the county was in the six to eight inch range, but three to four inches of this fell on this day alone, resulting in flash flooding. A mudslide was observed on Corporate Road upstream from the Chestatee River Bridge approximately 5.4 miles east-northeast of Dahlonega. This resulted in the temporary closure of Corporate Road in this area. The mudslide was 20 feet by 60 feet tall. A culvert pipe on Wahoo Creek Road, a gravel road was washed out by flood waters. This was located approximately 7.9 miles east of Dahlonega. Finally, a stream crossing under Mount Olive Church Road, approximately 6.4 miles southeast of Dahlonega, overflowed its banks by at least a foot resulting in minor flooding of upstream agricultural fields. Approximately six miles east of Dahlonega, a stream overflowed onto Georgia Highway 115 near Grindale Brothers Road by at least one foot. Finally, Pecks Mill Creek overflowed its banks at the Pecks Mill Creek Road Bridge with at least two feet of water over the road. Significant erosion occurred and the culvert pipe was damaged. With the exception of this later incident, overall damage was minor and mostly in the form of debris cleanup.

Hail, Crisp

When: August 26, 11:48 AM EST to 11:50 AM EST
Where: Crisp County, 3 mi ESE of Raines to 4 mi E of Raines
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.863, -83.823

The Crisp County Emergency Management Director relayed a report of penny-sized hail.

Flash Flood, Towns

When: August 26, 1:15 PM EST to 6:30 PM EST
Where: Towns County, 2.77 mi S of Macedonia to 2.05 mi S of Macedonia
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.880, -83.719

The Towns County Emergency Management Director reported that flash flooding was observed along the Hiawassee River just west of Georgia Highway 75 south of Hiawassee in the Enchanted Valley Resort trailer park. The river reached a stage of 10.0 feet approximately one mile downstream from the USGS stream gage on Riverside Drive. The primary impact of the flooding was the wash up of debris into the backyards of several trailer homes. Minor flood damage occurred to the lower portions of some storage sheds.

Tornado, Hall

When: August 26, 2:38 PM EST to 2:49 PM EST
Where: Hall County, 1.55 mi WSW of Blackshear Place to 0.68 mi S of Westside
Rating: EF1
Path length: 4.82 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $750,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 34.211, -83.895

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia and the Hall County Emergency Management Agency confirmed that a second tornado had touched down in Hall county. This was an EF1 tornado and occurred in the southwest part of the county. The tornado was broken into two segments, the first 3/4 mile long and the second 2.25 miles long. The tornado first touched down about one mile southwest of Oakwood and traveled on the ground for approximately 3/4 mile before lifting. Within this segment of the tornado 20 to 30 trees were knocked down in the area. Up to 10 homes in the area sustained minor roof damage. Oakwood Elementary School also suffered minor damage. Maximum path width for this segment of the tornado was 100 yards. About five minutes later the tornado touched down again, this time approximately 4 3/4 mile southwest of Gainesville. This time the tornado was on the ground for 2.25 miles with a maximum path width of 200 yards. Within this segment of the tornado, dozens of trees were uprooted or blown over. Up to 15 homes in the El Rancho Estates Subdivision suffered at least minor roof damage from the downed trees and wind. Lyman Elementary School also sustained minor damage. Maximum wind for this tornado was estimated to be 90 mph.

Tornado, Hall

When: August 26, 3:20 PM EST to 3:22 PM EST
Where: Hall County, 3.78 mi ESE of White Sulphur to 3.72 mi SSW of Lula
Rating: EF1
Path length: 0.77 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 34.325, -83.711

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City and the Hall County Emergency Management Agency confirmed that yet a third tornado associated with the remnants of tropical storm Fay touched down in Hall county. This brief tornado touched down just southwest of Gillsville in the extreme northeast part of Hall county and lifted just before reaching the Banks county line. The majority of the damage along this 3/4 mile-long path was done near the city of Gillsville. At least 20 trees were uprooted or blown over along the path of tornado. In addition, the roof was blown off one home at the intersection of Timber Ridge and Hewell Road. Three other homes sustained minor to moderate damage from the wind and downed trees. The maximum path width was determined to be 100 yards. Maximum wind within the tornado was estimated to be 90 mph.

Funnel Cloud, Morgan

When: August 26, 3:27 PM EST to 3:28 PM EST
Where: Morgan County, Godfrey to 0.5 mi E of Godfrey
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 33.450, -83.520

The public observed a funnel cloud in the Godfrey area. Doppler radar supported this observation.

Thunderstorm Wind, Banks

When: August 26, 3:29 PM EST to 3:30 PM EST
Where: Banks County, 1.9 mi NE of Lula to 2 mi NE of Lula
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $7,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.399, -83.646

The Banks County Emergency Management Director reported that several trees were down in a small area northeast of Lula. Minor damage was reported to a home from downed trees.

Tornado, Jackson

When: August 26, 3:30 PM EST to 3:47 PM EST
Where: Jackson County, 3 mi NNE of Arcade to 0.7 mi WNW of Commerce
Rating: EF1
Path length: 7.64 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Injuries: 3 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $350,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 34.120, -83.550

A survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City and the Jackson County Emergency Management Agency confirmed that an EF1 tornado touched down and caused considerable damage in northeast Jackson county. The tornado initially touched down very briefly about three miles east-northeast of Arcade near the Brockton Loop before lifting. Only minor damage to tree limbs was noted in this area. The tornado then touched down again within the city of Commerce and tracked approximately 1.25 miles through the city before lifting before reaching the Banks county line. Approximately 40 trees were uprooted or blown over by the tornado, which caused extensive damage to homes in the area. A total of three mobile homes were destroyed, one by wind, and two others from downed trees, while up to 15 site-built homes sustained minor roof damage. Three residents of the destroyed mobile homes were treated for injuries. The maximum path width of the tornado, within the city of Commerce, was determined to be 100 yards. Maximum wind within the tornado was estimated to be 100 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cherokee

When: August 26, 3:31 PM EST to 3:34 PM EST
Where: Cherokee County, 6 mi SW of Canton to 6 mi W of Canton
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.169, -84.554

The Cherokee County Emergency Management Director reported that several trees were down on power lines and blocking at least one road west and southwest of Canton.

Funnel Cloud, Houston

When: August 26, 3:34 PM EST to 3:35 PM EST
Where: Houston County, 4 mi SW of Perry to 3.5 mi SW of Perry
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.409, -83.778

The Houston County Emergency Management Director and a storm spotter observed funnel clouds in the southwest part of the county, southwest of Perry.

Funnel Cloud, Jones

When: August 26, 5:39 PM EST to 5:40 PM EST
Where: Jones County, 1.9 mi ESE of Gray to 2 mi E of Gray
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 33.010, -83.500

WMAZ Television of Macon relayed a report of a funnel cloud from the public just on Georgia Highway 22 just east of Gray. Doppler radar supported rotation in this area.

Tornado, Wilkes

When: August 26, 5:55 PM EST to 6:07 PM EST
Where: Wilkes County, 1.19 mi NNW of Mallorysville to 3.05 mi NE of Norman
Rating: EF0
Path length: 5.06 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 33.896, -82.777

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia and the Wilkes County Emergency Management Director confirmed that an EF0 tornado touched down in northeast Wilkes county about three miles northwest of Tignall near the intersection of Bunch Road and Mallorysville Road. The tornado path length was determined to be around five miles with the tornado lifting at a point approximately three miles northeast of Norman, or near Henry Hill Road. A swath of trees were downed all along the entire track of the tornado. An anchored mobile home along Georgia Highway 17 at Boyd Road was blown six feet of its foundation. Another home along Georgia Highway 17 lost several shingles from its roof.

Flood, Hall

When: August 26, 7:00 PM EST to August 27, 12:00 AM EST
Where: Hall County, 3.85 mi WNW of Clermont to 4.76 mi NE of Murrayville
Cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 34.499, -83.833

The Hall County 911 Center reported that there was a gradual inundation of creeks and small streams across the northern portion of the county as a result of heavy rain throughout the past 24-36 hours as the remnants of tropical storm Fay continued to affect the area. No significant damage was reported from this general low-land and creek/small stream flooding.

What these are

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.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
Funnel Cloud: A rotating column of cloud extending from a thunderstorm that did not reach the ground.
Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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 2008 Every state in 2008 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Georgia, 2008 Warnings in Georgia, August 2008

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: 132903, 132916, 132904, 132906, 132989, 132913, 132914, 132905, 132917, 132993, 132999, 133880, 133013, 133006, 133881, 133009, 133879, 133015, 133876.