Tornado and Hail in Georgia, June 19, 2008

Name: Tornado and Hail in Georgia, June 19, 2008
Start: 2008-06-19T14:00
End: 2008-06-19T15:15
Location: Georgia

June 19, 2008 · NWS CHS · 14 events in 3 counties and zones

A weak trough of low pressure in combination with the sea breeze in a well sheared and highly unstable environment, resulted in numerous thunderstorms across southern South Carolina and southeast Georgia.

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: 0
Property damage: $3.1 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 14

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 CHS wrote it up.

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 Charleston, SC wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 19, 12:54 PM EST, 1 hour 6 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 19, 12:54 PM EST, 1 hour 6 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
154 PM EDT THU JUN 19 2008

.SYNOPSIS...
A WEAK PRES PATTERN WILL PERSIST ACROSS THE REGION THROUGH
FRIDAY. A STORM SYSTEM WILL PUSH INTO THE AREA OVER THE WEEKEND.
HIGH PRES WILL BUILD OVER THE REGION NEXT WEEK.

&&

.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 PM THIS EVENING/...
THE 14Z SURFACE MAP SHOWS THE MAIN FRONTAL BOUNDARY DRAPED ACROSS
NORTHERN FL WITH A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE EXTENDING FROM N FL INTO
SE SC. DEWPOINTS IN THE 60S/70S ALONG THIS TROUGH ARE ALLOWING FOR
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A DECENT CU FIELD THIS MORNING...AND EVEN A FEW
SHOWERS. AS THE SEA BREEZE DEVELOPS THIS AFTN...ISOLATED/BRIEF
SHOWERS/THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE WHICH WILL PROGRESS STEADILY
INLAND THIS AFTERNOON/EVENING. THERE WILL ALSO BE AN APPROACHING
SHORTWAVE TROUGH WITH ACCOMPANYING SLIGHTLY COOLER H5 TEMPS. WITH
MOST MODELS AS WELL AS MOS GUIDANCE SUPPORTING AT LEAST A SLIGHT
CHANCE OF SHOWERS/TSTMS...WILL UPDATE THE FORECAST ACCORDINGLY...MAINLY
FOR AREAS ACROSS SE GA AND W OF HWY 17 IN SC. IN ADDITION...THE
SPC HAS PUT SE GA INTO A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE STORMS...WHICH ONLY
INCLUDES MCINTOSH COUNTY IN OUR CWA. THE MAIN HAZARDS WITH ANY
STORMS WILL BE LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS.

HIGH TEMPERATURES THIS AFTERNOON WILL RANGE FROM THE MID 80S AT THE
COAST TO THE LOWER 90S INLAND.

&&

.SHORT TERM /6 PM THIS EVENING THROUGH 6 AM FRIDAY/...
EXPECT ANOTHER TRANQUIL NIGHT ACROSS THE REGION. MODEL SOUNDINGS
DEPICT SOME MID LEVEL MOISTURE...BUT THIS FORECAST MINIMIZED IMPACT
OF ANY STRATOCUMULUS. OF COURSE...IF CONVECTION BECOMES MORE
PREVALENT THAN EXPECTED...MORE WIDESPREAD MID/HIGH LEVEL DEBRIS
WILL LINGER INTO THE NIGHT. ALSO...PATCHY FOG MAY DEVELOP TONIGHT.
HOWEVER...AS SUGGESTED BY 21Z SREF DEPICTION OF A 0-10 PERCENT
CHANCE FOR VISIBILITY BELOW 1 MILE IMPACT SHOULD REMAIN TOO LIMITED
TO JUSTIFY A MENTION OF FOG IN THIS FORECAST.

LOW TEMPERATURES WILL RANGE FROM AROUND 60F WELL INLAND TO 70-75F AT
THE COAST.

&&

.LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
MEDIUM RANGE GUIDANCE IS IN FAIRLY GOOD AGREEMENT THROUGH THE
WEEKEND...WITH SOLUTIONS THEN DIVERGING WITH HANDLING OF UPPER LEVEL
PATTERN NEXT WEEK. MODEL GUIDANCE IS UNANIMOUS IN KEEPING UPPER
TROUGHING IN PLACE OVER THE REGION THROUGH THE WEEKEND...WITH LATEST
GUIDANCE NOW BEGINNING TO SUGGEST THAT UPPER TROUGHING MAY HOLD
THROUGH EARLY NEXT WEEK. UPPER FLOW IS THEN EXPECTED TO BECOME ZONAL
OR EVEN PREDOMINANTLY RIDGING BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK.

AT THE SURFACE...HIGH PRESSURE WILL BEGIN TO LOSE ITS GRIP ON THE
REGION FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT AS A STORM SYSTEM BEGINS TO APPROACH
THE REGION FROM THE WEST. THIS STORM SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO TRACK
THROUGH THE REGION SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY...THEN OFF THE COAST AND
INTO THE ATLANTIC SUNDAY NIGHT. HIGH PRESSURE IS THEN EXPECTED TO
BUILD BACK INTO THE AREA FOR THE BEGINNING OF THE UPCOMING WORK
WEEK.

DEEP MOISTURE IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN WEST AND SOUTH OF THE REGION
FRIDAY...AND THIS SHOULD LIMIT POTENTIAL FOR SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM
DEVELOPMENT ACROSS THE AREA. WITH UPPER TROUGHING IN PLACE...SEA
BREEZE PUSHING INLAND...AND PLENTY OF SURFACE HEATING
EXPECTED...CAN/T RULE OUT A STRAY SHOWER OR THUNDERSTORM
HOWEVER...SO WILL CONTINUE TO MENTION SLIGHT CHANCE POPS ACROSS THE
AREA. ANY SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS SHOULD DIMINISH QUICKLY FRIDAY
EVENING WITH DRY CONDITIONS THAN ANTICIPATED OVERNIGHT.

DEEP MOISTURE WILL OVERSPREAD THE REGION SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY AS
THE STORM SYSTEM TRACKS THROUGH THE SOUTHEAST UNITED STATES...AND
WILL CONTINUE WITH HIGH END CHANCE POPS THROUGH THE PERIOD.

THE STORM SYSTEM AND DEEP MOISTURE WILL SHIFT OFF THE COAST AND INTO
THE ATLANTIC SUNDAY NIGHT...AND EXPECT RAIN FREE CONDITIONS TO
PREVAIL. DESPITE DEEP MOISTURE EXITING THE REGION...WITH UPPER
TROUGHING NOW BEGINNING TO LOOK LIKE IT MAY HOLD THROUGH TUESDAY AND
PERHAPS LONGER...CAN/T RULE OUT A SHOWER OR THUNDERSTORM DURING THE
AFTERNOON OR EVENING HOURS. THEREFORE...WILL CONTINUE TO MENTION
SLIGHT CHANCE POPS MONDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY FOR AFTERNOON/EVENING
SEA BREEZE CONVECTION.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
VFR CONDS TO PREVAIL THROUGH THE PERIOD AT BOTH TERMS OUTSIDE OF
ANY ISO SH/TSTMS THIS AFTN/EVE AND FOG LATE TONIGHT. EXPECT THE
DEVELOPING SEA BREEZE TO KEEP MOST OF THE ACTIVITY W OF THE TERMS
THIS AFTN/EVE. CB GROUPS SHOULD COVER THIS FOR NOW AND WILL
MONITOR RADAR TRENDS FOR POSSIBLE AMENDMENTS. PLENTY OF LOW- LEVEL
MOISTURE AND LIGHT WINDS WILL ALLOW FOG TO RE-DEVELOP AGAIN LATE
TONIGHT.

EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...OCCASIONAL MVFR OR LOWER CONDITIONS
MAY DEVELOP IN SHOWERS/THUNDERSTORMS FRI THROUGH SUN.

&&

.MARINE...
CONDITIONS WILL REMAIN WELL BELOW SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THRESHOLDS
THROUGH TONIGHT. E/SE WINDS WINDS WILL PREVAIL TODAY...AND S/SE
WINDS ARE EXPECTED TONIGHT. STRONGEST WINDS...IN THE 10-15 KNOT
RANGE...WILL OCCUR WITH THE SEA BREEZE THIS AFTERNOON/EARLY EVENING.
SEAS WILL RANGE FROM 1-2 FT WITHIN NEARSHORE WATERS TO 2-3 FT ACROSS
THE OUTER GA WATERS.

HIGH PRESSURE WILL BEGIN TO LOSE ITS INFLUENCE OVER THE REGION
FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT AS A STORM SYSTEM BEGINS TO APPROACH THE
AREA FROM THE WEST. THIS STORM SYSTEM WILL TRACK THROUGH THE
SOUTHEAST UNITED STATES SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY. HIGH PRESSURE WILL
BUILD BACK INTO THE ARE FOR EARLY NEXT WEEK. COULD SEE A DECENT
NOCTURNAL SURGE OVER THE WATERS BOTH FRIDAY NIGHT AND ESPECIALLY
SATURDAY NIGHT...BUT WINDS AND SEAS ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN BELOW
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THRESHOLDS FRIDAY THROUGH MONDAY.

&&

.CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...NONE.
SC...NONE.
MARINE...NONE.

&&

Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 19, 3:09 AM EST, 10 hours 51 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
409 AM EDT THU JUN 19 2008

AMZ330-350-352-354-374-GAZ087-088-099>101-114>119-137>141-SCZ040-
042>045-047>051-201000-
CHARLESTON HARBOR-
WATERS FROM SOUTH SANTEE RIVER TO EDISTO BEACH SC OUT 20 NM-
WATERS FROM EDISTO BEACH SC TO SAVANNAH GA OUT 20 NM-
WATERS FROM SAVANNAH GA TO ALTAMAHA SOUND GA OUT 20 NM...INCLUDING
GRAYS REEF NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY-
WATERS FROM SAVANNAH GA TO ALTAMAHA SOUND GA EXTENDING FROM 20 TO
60 NM-JENKINS-SCREVEN-CANDLER-BULLOCH-EFFINGHAM-TATTNALL-EVANS-
INLAND BRYAN-COASTAL BRYAN-INLAND CHATHAM-COASTAL CHATHAM-LONG-
INLAND LIBERTY-COASTAL LIBERTY-INLAND MCINTOSH-COASTAL MCINTOSH-
ALLENDALE-HAMPTON-INLAND COLLETON-DORCHESTER-BERKELEY-INLAND JASPER-
BEAUFORT-COASTAL COLLETON-CHARLESTON-COASTAL JASPER-
409 AM EDT THU JUN 19 2008

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR ATLANTIC COASTAL
WATERS...SOUTHEAST GEORGIA AND SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

STRONG THUNDERSTORMS...A STORM SYSTEM WILL APPROACH THE
SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES ON SATURDAY. THE STORM SYSTEM IN
COMBINATION WITH THE AFTERNOON SEA BREEZE AND AN UNSTABLE AIRMASS
MAY LEAD TO A FEW STRONG AND POTENTIALLY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS
ACROSS SOUTHERN SOUTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHEAST GEORGIA. THE MAIN
HAZARDS FROM THE STRONGEST STORMS THAT DEVELOP WOULD BE GUSTY
WINDS...SMALL HAIL...FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING AND HEAVY
RAINFALL.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jun 19, 11:11 AM EST, 2 hours 49 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
1211 PM EDT THU JUN 19 2008

SCZ044-045-050-191700-
BERKELEY-CHARLESTON-DORCHESTER-
1211 PM EDT THU JUN 19 2008

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT BERKELEY COUNTY...DORCHESTER
COUNTY AND CHARLESTON COUNTY THROUGH 100 PM EDT...

AT 1209 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING SMALL HAIL...AND GUSTY WINDS
OF 30 TO 40 MPH.  THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR NORTH CHARLESTON...OR
ABOUT 7 MILES NORTH OF CHARLESTON...AND WAS NEARLY STATIONARY.

AREAS IN AND AROUND CAINHOY...CHARLESTON...CHARLESTON AIRPORT...
COLLEGE PARK...DANIEL ISLAND...GOOSE CREEK...HANAHAN...LADSON...NORTH
CHARLESTON...SANGAREE...SUMMERVILLE...WANDO AND WEST ASHLEY WILL BE
IMPACTED THROUGH 100 PM EDT.

BE ALERT FOR RAPIDLY CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS AS STORMS APPROACH.
BE READY TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION IN CASE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM
WARNING IS ISSUED FOR YOUR LOCATION.

PLEASE CONTACT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHARLESTON TOLL FREE
AT 1-888-383-2024 IF YOU OBSERVE SEVERE WEATHER SUCH AS HAIL...DOWNED
TREES...LIMBS AND POWER LINES.

Special weather statement, Jun 19, 12:50 PM EST, 1 hour 10 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
150 PM EDT THU JUN 19 2008

GAZ101-SCZ047-048-051-191815-
BEAUFORT-COASTAL JASPER-EFFINGHAM-INLAND JASPER-
150 PM EDT THU JUN 19 2008

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT EFFINGHAM COUNTY...BEAUFORT
COUNTY AND JASPER COUNTY THROUGH 215 PM EDT...

AT 142 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 1/2 INCH HAIL...AND GUSTY
WINDS OF 35 TO 45 MPH.  THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR MORGAN...OR ABOUT
13 MILES SOUTHWEST OF RIDGELAND...MOVING EAST AT 11 MPH.

AREAS IN AND AROUND HARDEEVILLE...JASPER AND PURYSBURGH WILL BE
IMPACTED THROUGH 215 PM EDT.

BE ALERT FOR RAPIDLY CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS AS STORMS APPROACH.
BE READY TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION IN CASE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM
WARNING IS ISSUED FOR YOUR LOCATION.

PLEASE CONTACT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHARLESTON TOLL FREE
AT 1-888-383-2024 IF YOU OBSERVE SEVERE WEATHER SUCH AS HAIL...DOWNED
TREES...LIMBS AND POWER LINES.

The radar

The Jacksonville radar (KJAX), 119 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:58 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

8 hail, 5 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, McIntosh

When: June 19, 2:00 PM EST
Where: McIntosh County, 0.69 mi N of Pine Harbor
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 31.540, -81.520

Quarter size hail was reported in Townsend, Georgia.

Hail, Bryan

When: June 19, 2:15 PM EST
Where: Bryan County, 0.69 mi N of Richmond Hill
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.940, -81.300

Law enforcement reported quarter size hail on Fort McAllister Road, in Richmond Hill, South Carolina.

Thunderstorm Wind, Chatham

When: June 19, 2:23 PM EST
Where: Chatham County, Savannah
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.050, -81.080

Power lines were reported down on MLK Boulevard by the Savannah Dispatch.

Thunderstorm Wind, Chatham

When: June 19, 2:25 PM EST
Where: Chatham County, Savannah
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 32.050, -81.080

Power lines were reported down in Savannah, Georgia.

Hail, McIntosh

When: June 19, 2:30 PM EST
Where: McIntosh County, Meridian
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 31.450, -81.380

Quarter to half dollar size hail was reported in Meridian, Georgia.

Thunderstorm Wind, Chatham

When: June 19, 2:30 PM EST
Where: Chatham County, Savannah
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 32.050, -81.080

A tree was reported down in the backyard of a residence and damaged the home on Queensbury Street in Savannah, Georgia. Large branches were also reported down.

Hail, Bryan

When: June 19, 2:35 PM EST
Where: Bryan County, 0.69 mi N of Richmond Hill
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 31.940, -81.300

Nickel to quarter size hail was reported in Richmond Hill, Georgia.

Tornado, Chatham

When: June 19, 2:37 PM EST to 2:38 PM EST
Where: Chatham County, 0.69 mi N of Sandfly
Rating: EF1
Path length: 0.75 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $3.1 million
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 31.990, -81.070

The National Weather Service Office in Charleston, South Carolina completed a damage survey in Chatham county Georgia and determined that an EF-1 Tornado occurred. The Tornado developed around 3:37 pm just north of the intersection of Montgomery Cross Road and the Harry Truman Parkway and traveled south-southwest just west of the Harry Truman Parkway for aproximately 3/4 of a mile before lifting. The maximum width of the Tornado was about 100 yards, and maximum sustained winds were estimated at 90 to 100 mph. This Tornado damaged a fire station and uprooted and snapped off numerous trees.

The vast majority of the damage was caused by at least 5 strong downbursts. In general, fairly widespread damage occurred from the Bacon Park Golf Course starting around 3:32 pm and ended near the intersection of Ferguson Avenue and Route 204 around 3:45 pm. South and southeast of this intersection and north of the Bacon Park Golf Course damage was much more sporadic. In this concentrated damage area, damage was up to 2.5 miles wide. Downburst winds knocked the steeple off a church and knocked down or snapped off thousands of trees. Tree limbs and large branches damaged 40 to 50 homes, with about a dozen of the homes sustaining major damage. Trees or large limbs fell on and destroyed about a dozen vehicles. The winds knocked down power poles and power lines, resulting in thousands of people without power. In addition, shingle and siding damage was also observed on the some of the homes.

One of the areas of most significant damage occurred in the Lake View Subdivision just west of Ferguson Avenue. In this area downburst winds snapped off or uprooted numerous trees. Trees or large branches fell on at least a dozen homes, several homes sustained shingle or minor roof damage. One of the homes was deemed uninhabitable after a tree fell through it. Wind speeds in this area were estimated to be 80 to 90 mph.

Another area of significant damage occurred at a Gun Club between Ferguson Avenue and Harry Truman Parkway. In this area, strong winds destroyed a building and tossed an outbuilding about 30 yards. In addition, numerous large trees were snapped off or uprooted, with one tree landing on and damaging another building. Wind speeds in this area were estimated to be 90 to 100 mph.

Hail, Bryan

When: June 19, 2:40 PM EST
Where: Bryan County, 0.69 mi S of Keller
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 31.840, -81.250

A trained weather spotter reported penny size hail in Keller, Georgia.

Hail, Chatham

When: June 19, 2:43 PM EST
Where: Chatham County, Savannah
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 32.050, -81.080

A trained weather spotter reported nickel size hail on the south side of Savannah, Georgia.

Thunderstorm Wind, Chatham

When: June 19, 2:45 PM EST
Where: Chatham County, Savannah
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 32.050, -81.080

A trained weather spotter estimated a 60 mph wind gust associated with a thunderstorm.

Hail, Chatham

When: June 19, 2:50 PM EST
Where: Chatham County, Savannah
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 32.050, -81.080

Dime to quarter size hail was reported on Largo Drive in Savannah, Georgia.

Hail, Chatham

When: June 19, 2:50 PM EST
Where: Chatham County, Savannah
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 32.050, -81.080

Golf ball size hail was reported in Savannah, Georgia.

Thunderstorm Wind, Chatham

When: June 19, 3:15 PM EST
Where: Chatham County, Savannah
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 32.050, -81.080

A large tree limb fell on a carport and put a 3 inch hole in the roof of a home.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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.

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, June 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: 118769, 118770, 118780, 118781, 118771, 118782, 118773, 118778, 118774, 118775, 118784, 118776, 118785, 118783.