Tornadoes and Flood in Georgia, March 15 to 16, 2008

The Floyd County Emergency Management Director reported that a home at 5229 Rockmart Road in Silver Creek was struck by lightning and completely destroyed from the resulting fire.

The public reported that penny-sized hail fell for up to 15 minutes in the Palmetto area.

An employee of the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia observed penny-sized hail in the far southwest corner of DeKalb county, just north of Conley.

The Whitfield County Emergency Management Director reported that the older of two pillow manufacturing facility buildings collapsed as a result of the weight of rain water runoff on the roof of the two adjacent buildings. The older building was in need of repair. The wash-out effect caused by the water runoff resulted in the collapse of a wall on the older of the two buildings, which result in the roof caving in as well. Because of the age and condition of the building, it was considered a total loss.

The public observed nickel-sized hail south of Cave Spring.

The public reported nickel-sized hail in the far north central part of the county, about three miles south of Cave Spring.

The Polk County Sheriff's office observed a funnel cloud moving east from the Lake Creek area in far northern Polk county. Shortly thereafter, a tornado touched down just east of Seney.

A ground and aerial survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, GA in cooperation with the Georgia State Patrol and local emergency managers confirmed that an EF3 tornado had touched down in extreme north central Polk county, just east of the town of Seney near the intersection of Georgia Highway 101 and the Floyd county line. The tornado then tracked approximately 16 miles across extreme northeast Polk, extreme southeast Floyd, and into southern Bartow county before lifting southwest of Cartersville. The tornado had a maximum path width of 1/2 mile with maximum wind speeds estimated at 150 mph. EF3 damage was noted at three locations along the path of the tornado as it tracked across the three counties. The tornado made an approximate 3-mile track across far northern Polk county.

Within Polk county, four homes were destroyed, two sustained major damage, five had minor damage, and 5 others were minimally impacted. All of these were in the far north central and northeast part of the county between Georgia Highway 101 and the Floyd county line where Bon Loop Road intersects the Floyd county line. One fatality and one injury occurred on Bon Loop Road where a home was destroyed. In addition, several county outbuildings, barns, shops, vehicles, one motor home, one travel trailer, one dog kennel business, several fences were heavily damaged. Several livestock were either injured or killed. Hundreds of trees and power lines were down in the area, including several high tension power lines support structures, which were heavily damaged.

A ground and aerial storm survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City Georgia in cooperation with the Georgia State Patrol confirmed that the EF3 tornado, that first touched down in extreme north central Polk county just east of Seney, continued on an east-northeastward track across extreme southeast Floyd county. Approximately three miles of the 16-mile long path of this tornado was within Floyd county. The maximum path was once again estimated to be approximately 1/2 mile. Despite the relatively short time frame and small area of the county affected, considerable damage was inflicted to the far southeast part of the county. A home was destroyed on Old Wax Road, resulting in additional fatality and injury. Dozens of trees and several power lines were also down in this part of the county.

Overall damage consisted of 20 homes, 10 of which were destroyed, and 10 with minor damage.

A storm survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia in cooperation with the Georgia State Patrol confirmed that the EF3 tornado, that originated in Polk county just east of Seney, and continued across extreme southeast Floyd county, continued into southern Bartow county. The tornado entered the county about 3 1/4 miles west-northwest of Taylorsville and finally lifted about four miles southwest of Cartersville. The tornado tracked approximately 11 miles across southern Bartow county. While no deaths or injuries were reported from the tornado in Bartow county, several mobile homes were heavily damaged and hundreds of trees and several high voltage power transmission lines were knocked down and there was damage to the Georgia Power Plant on Georgia Highway 113. In addition, the Taylorsville Elementary School sustained significant damage.

Several homes sustained roof damage along Popum Road just north of Taylorsville, a number of trees were down along Euharlee Road, and several bulidings, a number of trees, and several street signs were down in the area of Woodland High School about three miles southwest of Cartersville. All together, there were approximately 55 homes damaged, six of which were destroyed, and 30 homes with minor damage. Two schools, as noted above Taylorsville Elementary and Woodland High School suffered heavy damage. Some Georgia Power high transmission towers were also down.

The public observed penny-sized hail.

An off duty National Weather Service employee observed penny to nickel-sized hail in the Silver Creek area.

The Cherokee County Emergency Management Director reported that several trees and power lines were down across the county from the northwest part of the county, west-northwest of Waleska, to the southeast part of the county, just southeast of Canton. No structures were damaged.

A storm spotter observed a rotating funnel cloud southeast of Canton. This funnel cloud was observed from the same parent thunderstorm that earlier had spawned a tornado across northeastern Polk, southeastern Floyd, and southern Bartow counties.

The public reported nickel-sized hail in the Ball Ground area.

The public observed golf ball-sized hail.

Amateur radio operators reported that several trees and power lines were down across the county, but especially across the north part of Cumming. Trees were down on the Truman Mountain Road at Georgia Highway 53 and several trees were uprooted at Byers Road and Bramble Road in north Cumming. All together the county 911 center received 37 calls of downed trees and 13 calls of downed power lines. Several roads were blocked.

The Forsyth County Sheriff's Department observed a funnel cloud crossing Georgia Highway 400 north of Cumming. This was the same thunderstorm that had earlier spwaned a tornado across Polk, Floyd, and Bartow counties.

An amateur radio operator reported quarter-sized hail in south central and southeast Floyd county, south and southeast of Lindale.

Numerous reports of large hail, the size of quarters and larger, were received from the public and the broadcast media across the northern half of Hall county. Nickel-sized hail was reported by the public in Murrayville in northwest Hall county, ping-pong ball-sized hail west of Gainesville on the east side of Lake Lanier, with at least a half-a-dozen reports of ping-pong to golf ball-sized hail around the Gainesville area. The Times of Gainesville reported that Hardy Chevrolet had up to 500 vehicles suffering some form of damage from hail. At Moss Robertson Cadillac/Mazda/Isuzu, more than 100 vehicles were damaged from hail. Milton Martin Honda had 63 vehicles damaged from hail.

Several reports of large hail were received from north central and northeast Forsyth county. The public reported two inch-diameter hail two miles south of Chestatee and penny to quarter-sized hail northeast of Cumming near the intersection of Georgia Highway 400 and Georgia Highway 20, and on Georgia Highway 369. Nickel-sized hail was observed just west of Lake Lanier near the intersection of Georgia Highways 53 and 300. Finally, Forsyth County Fire and Rescue Services observed quarter-sized hail near Cumming.

The Hall County Fire and Rescue Department reported that up to 20 trees and several power lines were down in the Gainesville area, and up to three miles south of Gainesville. It was originally reported that a tornado had touched down on the south side of Gainesville, but an aerial survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast office in Peachtree City, Georgia in cooperation with the Georgia State Patrol concluded that the damage observed in Hall county was from straight-line winds and not that of a tornado. Several power lines were also down in the area, including several near the intersection of Georgia Highway 53 and McEver Road, about three miles west-southwest of Gainesville. The Gainesville Times reported that two brand new Hondas at Milton Martin Honda were destroyed when a tree was blown down onto them.

The Times of Gainesville reported that heavy rain at the Downtown Mobile Home Park in Gainesville on McConnell Road off Atlanta Highway caused 22 trailers to become flooded. At least seven of the trailers were completely under water, resulting in the displacement of 100 residents. Several vehicles were flooded as well. At least $10,000 in damages was caused by the high water.

The Banks County Emergency Management Director reported several trees and power lines were blown down scattered about the county. One barn was destroyed by the strong winds.

An amateur radio operator reported penny-sized hail in northern Banks county, north of Homer.

Numerous reports of large damaging hail were received from the Cherokee County Emergency Management Director and the public from southern and eastern Cherokee county. The hail began in the southwest part of the county between Canton and Cherokee, where the Emergency Manager reported quarter-sized hail. Shortly thereafter, the Emergency Manager and the public reported golf ball-sized hail in the Holly Springs area. As the thunderstorm continued on its east-northeastward track, hail up to the size of baseballs was reported by the Emergency Manager from the Buffington and Free Home areas.

The Banks County Emergency Management Director reported that a funnel cloud was spotted just east of the Banks Crossing area along Interstate-85.

The public reported nickel-sized hail.

The Madison County Emergency Management Director reported that at least six trees were down along Georgia Highway 106 north of Ila to the Banks county line. A chicken house in Shiloh was damaged when a portion of the tin was blown off and the New Hope church on Georgia Highway 281 in Harrison sustained some roof damage.

The public reported quarter to golf ball-sized hail across central Forsyth county, particularly in the Cumming area. One report of 2.00 inch diameter hail was received from the public within the city of Cumming.

An amateur radio operator reported quarter-sized hail in far northern Gwinnett county in the Buford area.

An amateur radio operator reported 1.5 inch hail on Lake Lanier Island. Numerous reports of hail, ranging in size from pennies to quarters, were received from the public and storm spotters in southern Hall county, especially in the Flowery Branch area.

An amateur radio operator reported golf ball-sized hail in the Tallapoosa area.

The Banks County Emergency Management Director reported that thunderstorm winds caused minor damage to five buildings in the Tanger Outlet Mall of Banks Crossing.

The public reported tennis ball-sized hail in Nicholson, and quarter-sized hail in the Jefferson area. The Jackson Herald reported that extensive damage to vehicles at two car dealerships was observed. More than 3000 vehicles were damaged at Southeast Toyota and approximately 1600 vehicles were damaged at Wayne Neal Chevrolet, both in Jackson. Damages to these vehicles was estimated at $400,000. The public reported that several vehicles in the Nicholson area were also damaged.

The Georgia Emergency Management Agency reported that one home in the county had major damage and another minor damage when trees fell on the structures. Roofs were also damaged on three businesses, one at the Tanger II Outlet Mall on the Banks county line, one at a convenience store in Dry Pond, and another in Maysville. A number of trees and power lines were blown down throughout the county, including one which fell on a vehicle in Commerce. A number of signs were also damaged from strong thunderstorms winds. Power was out in much of the northern part of the county for several hours.

An amateur radio operator in Villa Rica observed tennis ball to baseball-sized hail. Several other reports of golf ball-sized hail were received from the public across far northern Carroll county, especially in the Villa Rica area.

An amateur radio operator relayed a report of baseball-sized hail at Lee Road and Fairburn Road, just south of Interstate 20. The public and reported golf ball to tennis ball-sized hail across northern Douglas county, roughly along and just north of Interstate-20. Golf ball-sized hail was also reported by the public in Winston and west of Winston near Villa Rica. An amateur radio operator reported golf ball-sized just north of Douglasville, and the public observed tennis ball-sized hail east of Douglasville, between Douglasville and Sweetwater State Park. Another amateur radio operator observed nickel to tennis ball-sized hail approximately two miles southwest of the intersection of Interstate-20 and Georgia Highway 92.

The Cooperative Observer for Paulding county observed half-dollar-sized hail in northeastern Paulding county.

A cooperative observed in Ila reported hail larger than baseballs, namely 3.00 inch diameter hail. Hail the size of baseballs was observed further southeast just west of Danielsville. Radar supported that large hail continued to the southeast part of the county.

An off duty meteorologist with The Weather Channel observed hail ranging in size from dimes in the northern part of Kennesaw to almost golf balls in the southern part of Kennesaw.

An amateur radio operator reported baseball-sized hail in eastern Dawson county.

The Fulton County Emergency Management Director observed baseball-sized hail across downtown Atlanta. Because of the extensive damage caused by the tornado the previous evening, it was hard to distinguish what damage was caused by the hail, but chards of glass were reported to have been spread across much of the downtown area. In addition, the public reported golf ball-sized hail southwest of Six Flags, just south of Interstate-20 in western Fulton county, including the area around Fulton Industrial Boulevard, and an off duty National Weather Service employee observed penny-sized hail just southeast of downtown Atlanta in the Grant Park area. An amateur radio operator relayed a report of penny to quarter-sized hail in Centennial Olympic Park.

The public observed golf ball-sized hail across the central and southeast portions of DeKalb county from west of Decatur to Lithonia.

A storm spotter observed golf ball-sized hail just northwest of Lula. The public observed ping-pong ball-sized hail approximately five miles north of Gainesville along near Georgia Highway 284/Clarks Bridge Road.

The Carroll Star News of Carrollton reported that a number of trees and power lines were blown down in the Sand Hill area and near the intersection of Georgia Highway 166 and 61 northeast of Carrollton causing damage to four mobile homes. One of the mobile homes, located on Garden Ridge Drive, was destroyed, leaving four adults and two children homeless. The other other three mobile homes were heavily damaged.

Several reports of large damaging hail were received from the public across the northern half of Gwinnett county. Half-dollar to golf ball-sized hail was observed in Duluth, half-dollar-sized hail just south of Suwanee, and quarter-sized hail in the Lawrenceville area. The ground was covered three inches deep in some areas. Many vehicles were damaged. The public noted damage to guttering on some homes as well. The public noted that the hail was up to three inches deep in the Duluth area following the storm.

Amateur radio operators relayed reports of golf ball to baseball-sized hail across the northern half of Rockdale county. The baseball-sized hail was observed about three miles north of Conyers at the J. H. Elementary school and at several other locations across the northern portion of the county.

Yet another round of hail, this time penny-sized, was reported by an off-duty National Weather Service employee in the Grant Park area southeast of Atlanta.

The public observed nickel-sized hail along Georgia Highway 138 near Stewart Road.

Several reports of half-dollar to golf ball-sized hail were received from the public and amateur radio operators across the northern portions of Newton county. Golf ball-sized hail was observed in Covington as well.

The Newton County Sheriff's office reported that several trees were blown down across the northern portion of the county.

The public observed baseball-sized hail across southern Walton county near the Rockdale and Newton county lines. The ground was completely covered with the large hail and many vehicles were damaged.

The public observed half-dollar to golf ball-sized hail across northern Clayton county from just south of Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in the College Park area to northeast of Morrow. One-half inch diameter hail was observed at the airport.

The public observed half-dollar to golf ball-sized hail in the Hapeville and College Park areas just west and southwest of Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

An amateur radio operator reported penny golf ball-sized hail from the Winder area. Most of the hail was penny size.

An amateur radio operator observed penny-sized hail in the Carrollton area.

The public observed quarter-sized hail in the Stockbridge area.

The public observed golf ball-sized hail about two miles south of Rutledge. However, a large swath of half-dollar-sized hail was observed by the public across the central part of Morgan county from Rutledge in the west to Buckhead in the east. Half-dollar-sized hail also fell in the Lake Oconee area in the southern part of the county.

An amateur radio operator observed quarter-sized hail in the Union City area with yet another thunderstorm cell that tracked across southern Fulton county.

The Oconee County 911 Center reported penny-sized hail in the far northern part of the county around Bogart.

The public observed golf ball-sized hail north of Monticello. Radar supports that this storm moved from roughly four miles north of Monticello to near Shady Dale.

The public reported hail, larger in size than golf balls, but smaller in size then tennis balls in the Morrow area.

The public observed golf ball-sized hail in southern Rockdale county near Magnet.

A trained storm spotter observed a funnel cloud near the intersection of Georgia Highway 138 and Georgia Highway 212 in western Rockdale county, southwest of Conyers.

The public observed yet another round of hail across northern Henry county. Half-dollar-sized hail was observed in the Stockbridge area. This thunderstorm took the same west-to-east path across the county as the previous storm. Once again, radar support this large or larger hail from Stockbridge in the west to Whitehouse on the east side of the county.

The public observed a funnel cloud near the intersection of Gaines School and Lexington Roads in southern Clarke county.

The Putnam County Emergency Management Director report golf ball-sized hail across the northern portion of the county. At least two vehicles suffered significant damage from the hail.

The public reported that at least 10 trees were blown down across the northern portion of the county.

The Madison County Emergency Management Director reported quarter-sized hail in the Danielsville area.

The public reported that a roof was blown off a barn just south of Diamond Hill near the Clark county line.

Several sightings of funnel clouds were received from the public and the Madison County Emergency Management Director.

The Wilkes County Emergency Management Director reported nickel-sized hail in the Washington area. Radar supported that this large or larger hail continued on an east-southeastward tack into southeast Wilkes county, east of the Aonia community.

The Wilkes County Emergency Management Director reported that a couple of power lines were down.

The public observed quarter-sized hail in the Calhoun area.

The Carroll County Emergency Management Director observed penny-sized hail at West Georgia College.

The public observed penny-sized or larger hail across the eastern portion of Coweta county from Newnan eastward to the Fayette county line just west of Peachtree City. The hail was extensive enough along Lower Fayetteville road to accumulate over one inch deep in spots. In addition, a couple of trees and several tree limbs were reported down along Lower Fayetteville Road. In addition, wind gusts were estimated to be 60 mph on the Georgia Highway 34 Bypass at Georgia Highway 16.

The Times Herald of Newnan reported that trees and power lines were down in four different areas.

The Newton County Sheriff's office observed golf ball-sized hail near Covington. Radar supported that this thunderstorm tracked mainly across southern Newton county.

The public reported golf ball to baseball-sized hail in southeast Morgan county as yet another severe thunderstorm moved through the county.

An off duty National Weather Service employee reported that a roof was blown off a barn between Cave Spring and Rome.

The public reported that a number of trees were down along Georgia Highway 11 north of Palato and in the Eudora area of northwest Jasper county.

The public observed golf ball-sized hail at the intersection of Redwine Road and Peachtree Parkway on the east side of Peachtree City. Half-dollar-sized hail was observed at the National Weather Service Forecast Office on the south side of Peachtree City at Falcon Field. Penny to nickel-sized hail was observed south of Fayetteville in the Starrs Mill and Brooks areas.

The public reported that four trees were down in the Wilshire Estates area of Peachtree City. In addition, several trees and a couple of power lines were down south of Fayeteville off Antioch Road.

The public observed baseball-sized hail across the southern portions of Warren county. Nickel-sized hail was observed by the public in Warrenton. Radar supported that a swath of large hail fell across much of the southern portion of Warren county, south of Warrenton and Norris, including the far southeastern panhandle.

The public reported golf ball-sized hail from the Eatonton area as yet another severe thunderstorm tracked across northern Putnam county. Radar supported that large hail fell across much of northwest, north central, and east central Putnam county.

The Greene County Emergency Management Director reported that golf ball-sized hail covered the ground along the north shores of Lake Oconee in southern Greene county. Similar hail was observed on the Putnam county side of the lake as well. The public reported half-dollar-sized hail in the same area.

The public reported quarter-sized hail in the Griffin area.

The public reported that a number of trees were down in the Griffin area. One building sustained damage when a tree fell on the structure. In addition, roof damage was noted to some homes.

The public reported that several trees were down along Georgia Highway 171 from Gibson north toward the Warren county line.

The public observed quarter-sized hail on the east side of Lake Sinclair. Radar supported quarter or larger-sized hail with two separate storms further north, north and northeast of Sparta in the same time frame.

The public observed tennis ball-sized hail across northern Jefferson county, especially in the Wrens area. The Huddle House restaurant on Main Street in Wrens suffered considerable damage from the large hail as a number of windows were broken.

The public reported that dozens of trees in the area along the north and west side of Lake Sinclair had their tops sheared or blown off.

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that an EF2 tornado touched down in northern Jefferson county. The tornado touched down approximately one mile northwest of Wrens and traveled east a little less than nine miles across northeastern Jefferson county and the town of Matthews, before crossing into Burke county just south of the town of Keysville. The tornado continued on the ground an additional eight to nine miles into Burke county before finally lifting near the Applewood County Club in Burke county. The total tornado path length was 19 miles. The maximum path width was one-quarter mile and maximum sustained winds were estimated at 120 mph. The most significant damage occurred in Matthews, where several mobile homes were destroyed. Two businesses in Wrens were destroyed and several others sustained damage. A church and an elementary school, and several homes in Wrens also suffered at least minor damage from wind and numerous downed trees. ficant roof damage. No serious injuries or fatalities were reported from this tornado.

The Butts County Sheriff's observed golf ball-sized hail in western Jackson county near Interstate-75. The public observed half-dollar-sized hail in southeast Butts county near Flovilla. Radar supported half this large or larger tracked across much of western and southern Butts county.

An aerial survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, GA in cooperation with the Georgia State Patrol confirmed that an EF0 tornado touched down in southwest Butts county and made a three mile track across southern Butts county. The tornado touched down near the intersection of Joe Land Road and Kinards Mill Road and lifted near the intersection of Brooks Road and Nathan Thaxton Road. The path length was between three and four miles long. The Emergency Management Director reported that 136 homes suffered minor damage. In addition, one barn was destroyed and many trees were blown down along the path of the tornado. The combination of the high winds and quarter-sized hail caused the siding and paint on several homes to be damaged.

The public observed tennis ball-sized hail along in far southern Jasper county in the Hillsboro area, near the Jones county line. An amateur radio operator observed quarter-sized hail in far southern Jasper county in the Hillsboro area.

The public observed tennis to baseball-sized hail in eastern Jones county from Bountsville to east of Haddock near the Baldwin county line. A number of vehicles and mobile homes in the area were damaged from the large hail, especially near the Baldwin county line.

Numerous reports of golf ball-sized hail, and several reports of quarter-sized hail, were received from the public across Baldwin county from the Jones county line west of Browns Crossing and through the central and southern portions of the Milledgeville area. Damage to home and automobiles was observed. An amateur radio operator reported that quarter-sized hail reports were received from the northern part of the county near the Hancock county line to the eastern part of the county near the Washington county line.

The public reported that thunderstorm winds caused considerable damage in the Milledgeville area. Several trailers were overturned, windows in homes were broken, and several vehicles were damaged along Deerwood Drive.

The Washington County Emergency Management Director reported nickel-sized hail in southern Washington county near Riddleville.

The Washington County Emergency Management Director and amateur radio operators reported that thunderstorm winds had blown down several power lines from Oconee to Harrison in the southern part of the county. Power lines were down on Georgia Highway 272 near Oconee.

An amatuer radio operator reported that a couple of power lines and two to three trees were down along U.S. Highway 80 in the Jeffersonville area.

The Laurens County Emergency Management Director spotted a funnel cloud near the Johnson county line.

An amatuer radio operator measured a wind gust of 60 mph at a retail store on North Watson Drive in Warner Robins.

The Johnson County Emergency Management Director observed penny-sized hail in the Wrightsville area. Radar supported similar size hail from Donavan to Kite.