Hail, Chattooga
- When
- April 10, 6:44 AM EST to 6:45 AM EST
- Where
- Chattooga County, 3 mi SW of Trion to Trion
- Measured
- 0.88 in hail
- Reported by
- Public
- Coordinates
- 34.499, -85.357
The public observed nickel-sized hail in the Trion area.
S. A strong cold front accompanied the upper system.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS FFC wrote it up.
A vigorous upper closed low was moving from the mid-south and Mississippi valley region into the mid-Atlantic and southeast U.S. A strong cold front accompanied the upper system. A strong low-level jet in advance of these weather systems transported warm, moist Gulf air northward into the region. With strong dynamics, hence shear, combined with an unusually moist, unstable atmosphere, the atmosphere was primed for a major weather outbreak. One round of thunderstorms passed through north Georgia during the early morning hours. A few minor severe weather events accompanied this system in northwest Georgia. Partial clearing followed the morning convection, allowing temperatures to soar into the mid 70s across much of north and central Georgia in advance of the main weather system. Scattered to numerous discrete supercell thunderstorms developed during mid-afternoon in northwest Georgia and progressed east and southeast across the remaining portions of the county warning area during the evening hours. Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes lingered into the early morning hours of the 11th across the southern counties of central Georgia. During the eight hour period from 5 pm EDT on April 10th to 1 am EDT on April 11th, a total of 14 tornadoes were confirmed to have touched down in north and central Georgia causing millions in damages. While some injuries were observed, no deaths were observed.
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 Apr 10, 4:25 AM EST, 2 hours 19 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION...UPDATED FOR AVIATION NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA 525 AM EDT FRI APR 10 2009 .SHORT TERM /TODAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... MAIN CONCERN FOR THE SHORT TERM IS OBVIOUSLY SEVERE WEATHER THREAT TODAY AND TONIGHT. CLOSED UPPER LOW OVER THE SOUTHERN PLAINS WILL PROPAGATE EAST DURING THE DAY TODAY. SYSTEM WILL DAMPEN OUT WITH TIME AND SURFACE LOW WILL GRADUALLY BEGIN TO FILL...BUT MOISTURE RETURN AHEAD OF THE APPROACHING COLD FRONT WILL ALLOW INSTABILITY TO INCREASE SIGNIFICANTLY DURING THE DAY. WARM FRONT WELL TO OUR NORTH AND WE ARE SOLIDLY IN THE WARM SECTOR. GFS/NAM/ECMWF IN GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TIMING WITH FIRST ROUND OF THUNDER MOVING THROUGH THIS MORNING AS REMNANTS OF CONVECTIVE ACTIVITY CURRENTLY IN NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI AT AFD TIME. DRY SLOT BEHIND THIS INITIAL ACTIVITY WILL ALLOW THE REGION TO DESTABILIZE FURTHER FOR THE AFTERNOON...WHICH IS WHEN IT GETS INTERESTING. NAM SLIGHTLY SLOWER THAN GFS WITH THIS SECOND ROUND AND SREF SEEMS TO LEAN TOWARD THE NAM TIMING. ALL MODELS ARE LEANING HEAVILY TOWARD CONVECTIVE ACTIVITY CONFINED TO NORTH GEORGIA...WITH HARDLY ANY IN CENTRAL GEORGIA...BUT GIVEN THE MOISTURE RETURN AND APPROACHING FRONT AM NOT WILLING TO PULL BACK ON CONVECTION IN CENTRAL GEORGIA JUST YET. AS FAR AS SEVERE CHANCES FOR THIS AFTERNOON...CAPES BETWEEN 1200-1800 J/KG...60+KT 0-6KM SHEAR... 200-300 M2/S2 0-1KM SRH... 50+ KT LLJ...AND 500MB TEMPS DECREASING RAPIDLY THROUGH THE EVENING HOURS FROM -15C TO -20C IN NORTH GEORGIA. THIS CERTAINLY DOES NOT COVER THE ENTIRE SPECTRUM OF VALUES...BUT END RESULT IS NORTHERN HALF OF CWA IN MODERATE RISK FOR DAY1. WITH THE PROXIMITY OF THE UPPER LOW...NO SURPRISE THAT WITH THE AMOUNT OF SHEAR IN PLACE TO SUSTAIN LONG-LIVED SUPERCELLS WITH STRONG UPDRAFTS... LARGE HAIL IS THE MAIN THREAT BUT WITH THE LLJ AND LOW LEVEL SHEAR PARAMETERS DAMAGING WINDS AND ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE. ALONG THOSE LINES...FORECAST HODOGRAPHS FOR TODAY ARE VERY IMPRESSIVE WITH A NICE CLOCKWISE CURVE. HAVE CONTINUED SEVERE WORDING IN THE GRIDS BUT ADDED MENTION OF LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS TO LINE UP WITH THE MODERATE RISK AREA...THOUGH OF COURSE THE LINE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. WITH THE STRONG LLJ MOVING INTO THE AREA...WILL BE CONTINUING THE WIND ADVISORY FOR THE MOUNTAINS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. UPPER LOW IS ABSORBED BY LONGWAVE TROUGH AND IS ONLY A SHORTWAVE IMPULSE BY THE TIME THE SYSTEM MOVES OUT ON SATURDAY. HIGH AMPLITUDE PATTERN IN PLACE ALLOWS A COOL HIGH PRESSURE TO SLIDE EAST ACROSS SOUTHERN CANADA AND RIDGE DOWN THE EASTERN SLOPES OF THE APPALACHIANS ON SUNDAY. CURRENT ADVERTISED HIGH TEMPS MAY BE TOO WARM AS CLASSICAL CAD SETS UP. THIS WILL BE A FACTOR ON MONDAY AS MEANWHILE ANOTHER SYSTEM GEARS UP OVER THE SOUTHERN PLAINS. .LONG TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/... ECMWF (00Z RUN) IS SLOWER THAN THE GFS WITH THIS NEXT SYSTEM... WHICH IS PROBABLY A MORE REASONABLE SOLUTION GIVEN THE AMPLITUDE OF THE RIDGE OVER THE EASTERN PART OF THE COUNTRY AND THE STRENGTH OF THE CAD...THOUGH THE ECMWF DOES NOT USUALLY HANDLE CAD VERY WELL. THE COLD DOME IN NORTHEAST GEORGIA WILL CERTAINLY HAVE A STABILIZING INFLUENCE...BUT THEN AGAIN THE INHERENT HELICITY ASSOCIATED WITH THE WEDGE FRONT...WHEREVER IT SETS UP...MAY PROVIDE FOR AN INTERESTING SITUATION AS THE COLD FRONT APPROACHES MONDAY MORNING. ECMWFS TIMING WOULD IMPLY INCREASED INSTABILITY WITH THE SLIGHTLY SLOWER EASTWARD PROGRESSION...BUT BOTH MODELS ARE INDICATING A LOT OF PRECIP IN THE NORTHERN GULF/FLORIDA PANHANDLE...WHICH MAY SERVE TO CUT OFF THE DOWNSTREAM PRECIPITATION (THAT IS...US). IN ANY EVENT...IT COULD BE A POTENTIAL SEVERE WEATHER PRODUCER ALONG THE WEDGE FRONT...OR SIMPLY A RAIN-MAKER WITH THE COOL OVERRUNNING PRECIPITATION. GFS MOVES US INTO A NEAR-ZONAL FLOW PATTERN BY MIDWEEK AS THE UPPER LOW SHIFTS NORTHEAST TOWARD THE GREAT LAKES...WHEREAS THE ECMWF KEEPS THE UPPER LOW FURTHER SOUTH (OHIO VALLEY) WITH A DEEPER TROUGH AND PRECIP LINGERING. SHOULD HAVE A LULL FOR A DAY OR SO BEFORE THE NEXT LOW IN THE VERY PROGRESSIVE SERIES OF SYSTEMS APPROACHES. CONFIDENCE EXTREMELY LOW THIS FAR OUT AS GFS HAS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF CONVECTIVE PRECIP (WITH A LOT OF FEEDBACK) ACROSS THE DEEP SOUTH THURSDAY MORNING WHILE ECMWF IS STILL IN THE SOUTHERN PLAINS. HAVE TAKEN A COMPROMISE ON THE TIMING AND HAVE KEPT POPS TO AT MOST LOW CHANCE. && .AVIATION... RADAR SHOWS INITIAL PUNCH OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS FASTLY APPROACHING NW GA THIS MORNING. EXPECT THIS ACTIVITY TO WEAKEN AS IT MOVES INTO THE WESTERN REACHES OF THE STATE. SHOULD SEE SOME SHOWER ACTIVITY PUSH INTO THE ATLANTA AREA BY 14Z IF NOT SOONER SO MAY START OUT WITH VCSH WITH THE 12Z ISSUANCE...BUT THE RADAR TRENDS WILL HELP DECIDE THAT. OTHERWISE...EXPECT MVFR CIGS TO DEVELOP THIS MORNING...MAINLY AROUND THE 2500 FT RANGE...AND MODELS SUGGEST THESE CIGS WILL PREVAIL TODAY. HOWEVER...AFTER THIS INITIAL CONVECTIVE SURGE THIS MORNING... AND THE AIRMASS RE-CHARGES AHEAD OF THE COLD FRONT LATER THIS AFTERNOON...THE CIG MIGHT INCREASE INTO THE LOW VFR RANGE BRIEFLY BY AFTERNOON...BUT INCLINED TO JUST HOLD ONTO MVFR FOR NOW. STILL EXPECT THE GREATER TSTM THREAT AT ATL TO BE IN THE LATE AFTERNOON-EARLY EVENING HOURS AS CURRENT TAFS SUGGEST. SHOWERS AND TSTMS REMAIN POSSIBLE THRU THE EVENING UNTIL THE FRONT PUSHES ACROSS THE ATLANTA AREA SOMETIME AROUND 06Z TONIGHT. MODELS SUGGEST LOW ST/SC BEHIND THE FRONT MIGHT HOLD CIGS DOWN IN THE MVFR OR EVEN IFR RANGE AFTER THE FROPA INTO THE MID SATURDAY MORNING HOURS. OTHERWISE... A GUSTY SW WIND IS ON TAP TODAY AHEAD OF THE APPROACHING COLD FRONT. /39 && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... ATHENS 72 54 71 45 70 / 80 70 5 5 5 ATLANTA 71 52 68 49 71 / 90 50 0 5 5 BLAIRSVILLE 63 47 64 42 66 / 100 70 10 5 5 CARTERSVILLE 72 49 64 43 72 / 90 50 10 10 5 COLUMBUS 76 58 74 51 76 / 40 40 5 5 5 GAINESVILLE 69 52 67 46 67 / 90 60 10 10 5 MACON 77 55 75 50 76 / 40 50 5 5 5 ROME 72 50 67 46 73 / 100 50 5 5 5 PEACHTREE CITY 72 52 70 47 71 / 80 40 0 5 5 VIDALIA 77 62 77 53 76 / 20 40 5 5 5 && .FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WIND ADVISORY FROM NOON TODAY TO MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT FOR THE FOLLOWING ZONES: CHATTOOGA...DADE...DAWSON...FANNIN...GILMER... LUMPKIN...MURRAY...PICKENS...TOWNS...UNION...WALKER...WHITE. && TDP
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA 500 AM EDT FRI APR 10 2009 GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086- 089>098-102>113-110945- 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- 500 AM EDT FRI APR 10 2009 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT SCATTERED SEVERE STORMS ARE POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. .SYNOPSIS... A STRONG SPRING STORM SYSTEM WILL MOVE ACROSS THE MID MISSISSIPPI VALLEY REGION THIS AFTERNOON AND INTO THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY REGION DURING THE EVENING HOURS. THIS SYSTEM WILL DRAG A STRONG COLD FRONT ACROSS NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA DURING EVENING AND EARLY MORNING HOURS. .PRIMARY HAZARDS... THE PRIMARY HAZARDS WILL BE CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING...LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS. ISOLATED TORNADOES WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE. .DISCUSSION... INCREASING SOUTHERLY WINDS AHEAD OF AN APPROACHING STORM SYSTEM WILL SERVE TO INCREASE MOISTURE AND INSTABILITIES OVER THE REGION THROUGH THE AFTERNOON. AS THE UPPER LEVEL SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED COLD FRONT MOVE INTO THE TENNESSEE VALLEY THIS AFTERNOON...THE ATMOSPHERE WILL RAPIDLY DESTABILIZE. CAPES WILL INCREASE TO 1200 TO 1800 AHEAD OF THE COLD FRONT WITH LIFTED INDEX VALUES DECREASING TO AROUND -5. ALTHOUGH SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL PUSH INTO THE STATE DURING THE MORNING...THE GREATER THREAT OF STRONG STORMS WILL OCCUR BETWEEN THE EARLY AFTERNOON AND LATE EVENING HOURS. AS THE COLD FRONT APPROACHES NORTHWEST AND WEST CENTRAL GEORGIA BY MID TO LATE AFTERNOON...STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS WILL LIKELY BECOME MORE NUMEROUS...AND THEN SPREAD EASTWARD ACROSS THE REST OF NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA DURING THE EVENING HOURS. ALTHOUGH THE SEVERE STORM THREAT IS ACROSS THE ENTIRE STATE...IT APPEARS THE GREATER LARGE HAIL AND ISOLATED TORNADO THREAT WILL BE GENERALLY ALONG AND NORTH OF A LA GRANGE TO MILLEDGEVILLE LINE WHERE THE MORE FAVORABLE VERTICAL WIND SHEAR AND TEMPERATURE PROFILES WILL OCCUR. THE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT WILL GREATLY DIMINISH SHORTLY AFTER MIDNIGHT WITH THE PASSAGE OF THE COLD FRONT. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY THERE IS A CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS MONDAY AND MONDAY NIGHT...AND AGAIN THURSDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTERS SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR ACTIVATION...ESPECIALLY THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA 558 AM EDT FRI APR 10 2009 GAZ001-002-101045- 558 AM EDT FRI APR 10 2009 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR FREQUENT LIGHTNING IN NORTHERN DADE AND WALKER COUNTIES UNTIL 630 AM EDT... AT 457 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS FROM 7 MILES NORTHWEST OF COLE CITY TO 15 MILES SOUTHWEST OF STEPHENSVILLE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH. THESE STORMS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE PEA SIZED HAIL...FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING AND WIND GUSTS TO 35 MPH AS THEY MOVE ACROSS DADE AND WALKER COUNTIES THROUGH 645 AM EDT. SOME LOCATIONS IN THE PATH OF THESE STORMS INCLUDE COLE CITY...TRENTON... STEPHENSVILLE...NEW ENGLAND...MORGANVILLE...CHATTANOOGA VALLEY... LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN...HOOKER...WILDWOOD...FAIRVIEW AND ROSSVILLE. BRIEF HEAVY DOWNPOURS WILL CAUSE PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA 717 AM EDT FRI APR 10 2009 GAZ001>004-011-012-019-101200- 717 AM EDT FRI APR 10 2009 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT FOR PEA SIZED HAIL AND 35 MPH WINDS IN FLOYD...CHATTOOGA...GORDON...DADE...WALKER...WHITFIELD AND CATOOSA COUNTIES UNTIL 800 AM EDT... AT 616 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS FROM RISING FAWN TO 17 MILES WEST OF CHATTOOGAVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH. THESE STORMS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE PEA SIZED HAIL...FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING AND WIND GUSTS TO 35 MPH AS THEY MOVE ACROSS FLOYD...CHATTOOGA...GORDON...DADE...WALKER...WHITFIELD AND CATOOSA COUNTIES THROUGH 800 AM EDT. SOME LOCATIONS IN THE PATH OF THESE STORMS INCLUDE RISING FAWN...CLOUDLAND CANYON STATE PARK... CEDAR GROVE...MENLO...CLOUDLAND...COOPER HEIGHTS...CHATTOOGAVILLE... LYERLY...BERRYTON...SUMMERVILLE...TRION...CENTER POST...LINWOOD... BLUE SPRING AND CHICKAMAUGA. BRIEF HEAVY DOWNPOURS WILL CAUSE PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS.
The Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 82 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 11:44 UTC.
74 hail, 24 thunderstorm wind, 19 tornado, 4 funnel cloud, 4 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.
The public observed nickel-sized hail in the Trion area.
The Floyd County 911 Center reported that a tree was blown down onto a house in Rome causing damage to the structure. The exact address was not provided.
The public reported quarter-sized hail approximately three miles south of Dalton on Old Dixie Highway.
A storm spotter for the National Weather Service observed quarter-sized hail between Dahlonega and Porter Springs.
The Banks County 911 Center relayed a report of nickel-sized hail southeast of Lula.
The Dade County Emergency Management Director and 911 Center reported that many trees were blown down across the county, the majority of which occurred in the New Home community. One home in this community was damaged when the tree fell on the structure.
The Walker County 911 Center reported that at least two dozen trees were down across the county. The majority of the damage appeared to be in the Chickamauga area. Several power lines were down across the county as well. No structural damage was reported.
The public observed half-dollar-sized hail in the Chickamauga area.
The Chattooga County Emergency Management Director reported penny-sized hail in the northwest part of the county. The public observed quarter-sized hail in the northeast part of the county, east of Trion. Radar data suggests that hail of penny or larger sized likely fell across much of northern Chattooga county.
Several reports of quarter-sized hail were received from the public across northern Catoosa county.
The Catoosa County Emergency Management Director reported that several trees were down across the northern part of the county. Some trees were down on homes causing damage to the structures. The public reported that trees were also down on a storage bulding on Mohawk Trail causing significant damage to the structure.
A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that a brief EF2 tornado had touched down approximately one mile southeast of Summerville and tracked less than one mile almost due east. The tornado was determined to have a maximum path width of 200 yards with maximum winds estimated to be 120 mph. Considerable damage was noted in the Summerville area. Over 30 homes were damaged along with 10 businesses. Most of the damage to these structures was determined to be minor. The majority of the damage occurred on Commerce Street. The brick wall of a car care center collapsed, the roof was shifted and lifted from a lumber warehouse, and windows were blown out of a barbecue restaurant. All of these events occurred on Commerce Street. At the intersection of Cleghorn and Scoggin Streets nearby, a single-wide mobile home was completely destroyed. Although the mobile home was anchored, the metal frame was ripped from the foundation and the home was tossed on its side.
A CoCoRAHS spotter observed 2.0 inch diameter hail near Lyerly. The Chattooga County Emergency Management Director reported golf ball-sized hail in the far southern part of the county around Chattoogaville. This hail occurred from a separate thunderstorm from the one that spawned a tornado just southeast of Summerville and also dropped penny to quarter-sized hail across the northern part of the county.
The public observed nickel-sized hail in the far northeast part of the county near Oakman and the Murray county line. Penny-sized hail was observed by the public southeast of Calhoun as the storm first became severe.
Many reports of large hail, ranging in size from golf balls to baseballs were received from the public across northern Floyd county, including the northern side of Rome and Shannon, as a supercell thunderstorm tracked from west of Armuchee to Pinson. At least one report of shattered windshields was received from the public in the Armuchee area.
The Murray County Emergency Management Director reported that several trees were blown down scattered about the county. The roof was blown off the porch of a mobile home and a portion of the siding was also off the home south of Chatsworth near the intersection of Smyrna Church Road and Blackwell Drive.
The Gordon County Emergency Management Director reported that strong thunderstorm straight-line winds blew down a number of trees across the county. The majority of the damage appeared to be concentrated in the Fairmount area, where some minor structural damage was observed.
A deputy with the Floyd County Sheriff's Office observed a funnel cloud in the North Rome and Shannon area. Numerous reports of funnel clouds from Coosa, to north Rome, to Shannon and on towards northern Bartow county were received at the Floyd County 911 Center from 515 pm to 545 pm EDT.
The Murray County Emergency Management Director relayed a report of penny-sized hail. While the exact location was not provided, radar data suggests that this occurred in the far southern portion of the county near Carters Lake.
The public observed golf ball-sized hail in the extreme east central portion of the county near the White county line.
The public observed half-dollar-sized hail east and north of Cleveland. The White County 911 Center reported quarter-sized hail in Cleveland. The public observed quarter-sized hail southeast of Helen. Hail was earlier reported along the White/Lumpkin county line west of Cleveland. Radar data supports hail of penny or larger size likely fell from west of Cleveland along the Lumpkin county line to southeast of Helen near the Habersham county line. The public reported that hail the size of quarters fell for up to 15 minutes in the Sautee area.
The Gordon County Emergency Management Director reported golf ball-sized hail in the far northeast part of the county along the Gilmer county line. Radar data suggests that hail of at least penny size likely fell from west of Calhoun to northeast of Ranger.
Amateur radio operators relayed reports of funnel clouds near Calhoun. Radar data suggests that the thunderstorm in this area was very close to producing a tornado at this point. As this circulation continued into neighboring Pickens county to the east, an EF1 tornado touched down at 604 pm EDT just northeast of Jasper.
Several reports of large hail were received from the public across northern Bartow county from west of Adairsville along the Floyd county line to east of Funkhouser along the Cherokee county line. Baseball-sized hail was observed in the Adairsville area, with 2.0 inch diameter sized-hail west of Adairsville and half-dollar-sized hail near Funkhouser. Windshields of vehicles were broken by the large hail in the Adairsville area.
Amateur radio operators relayed a report of golf ball-sized hail in the extreme southeast part of the county near the Gwinnett and Hall county line.
The Gilmer County Emergency Management Director reported that several trees were down across the county. Radar data suggest that the majority of the downed trees were in the southern half of the county. A roof was blown off a home northwest of Ellijay.
The public observed nickel to quarter-sized hail near the Gwinnett county line south of Flowery Branch and golf ball-sized hail in the Gainesville area. Radar data suggests that large hail, likely near golf ball-sized hail continued northeast from Gainesville toward Lula.
The public reported golf ball-sized hail with a second thunderstorm that tracked across northern Floyd county. Golf ball-sized hail was reported from the north side of Rome to Shannon.
Several reports of hail, ranging in size from pennies to baseballs were received from the northern part of Floyd county as yet a third supercell thunderstorm tracked across the region from Coosa to just south of Shannon. Hail in Rome ranged in size from less than pennies to baseballs. Golf ball-sized hail was observed near Shannon.
The Gordon County Emergency Management Director reported that golf ball-sized hail was observed near the Gordon/Gilmer county line to near the intersection of Georgia Highways 136 and 382. The public reported nickel-sized hail in the southeast part of the county, near Cartecay. Radar data supports nickel or larger sized-hail likely fell across much of southern Gilmer county.
The public observed golf ball-sized hail near Jasper and quarter-sized hail northeast of Nelson in the far southeast part of the county. Nickel-sized hail was observed by the public in Marble Hill. Radar data and previous reports from Gordon county support quarter or larger sized-hail beginning west of Blaine near the Gordon county line. The public reported that hail fell for up to 20 minutes in the Marble Hill area.
The public observed 2.0 inch diameter hail in the Adairsville area from a second severe thunderstorm that tracked across the northern part of Bartow county.
The Cherokee County Emergency Management Director observed quarter-sized hail north of Waleska. Radar data and reports from bordering Bartow county to the west support large hail beginning near the Cherokee/Bartow county line northwest of Waleska. The storm weakened as it moved east of Waleska. This was the first of three severe thunderstorms to track across Cherokee county, each producing large hail.
The News Observer of Blue Ridge reported that lightning struck a home on Dean Road causing minor damage to the structure.
A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City confirmed than an EF1 tornado touched down in Pickens county, approximately one mile northeast of Jasper, near the intersection of Georgia Highay 136 and Old Grandview Road and continued on an eastward approximately 3.5 mile-long path before lifting. The maximum path width was determied to be 440 yards with maximum winds estimated at 90 mph. Damage was greatest along Old Grandview Road near the Grandview community. In this area, at least forty 18-inch and less diameter hardwood trees were either uprooted or snapped along the path of the tornado. A number of power lines were down in the area and several utility poles were snapped. While no direct fatalities or injuries were reported, one person was said to have suffered a heart attack because of anxiety during the event. Only minor structural damage was reported.
A number of reports were received from the public of quarter to golf ball-sized hail across the southern half of Bartow county. This was the result of two severe thunderstorms that moved east across the county. The first storm tracked from west of Kingston to near Red Mountain State Park, while the second storm tracked from the Floyd county line west of Euharlee, to the south side of Cartersville, to Lake Allatoona. Although these storms were separate and distinct, they tracked across the same areas within a 10-mile/15-minute period. Golf ball-sized hail was reported near Euharlee decreasing to quarter-sized hail on the south side of Cartersville.
The public observed penny-sized hail near Homer. The thunderstorm producing this hail tracked east from Hall county, crossing into Banks county near Lula. The main part of the storm moved east between Homer and Hollingsworth, then continued east to the Franklin county border east of Hollingsworth. Hail of at least penny-size likely fell along the path of the thunderstorm according to radar data and reports from Hall county immediately adjacent to the west.
The public observed golf ball-sized hail west of Dahlonega and penny to quarter-sized hail west of Georgia Highway 9 in the Mill Creek Station Subdivision near the Dawson county line.
The public observed at least one funnel cloud in the Cobbleston subdivision, about one mile east-southeast of Kingston or about nine miles south of Adairsville. Additional funnel clouds may have been observed with other thunderstorms that passed through the area during the evening. No tornado touch downs were reported or confirmed in this area, but Doppler radar clearly showed several mesoscale circulations passing through the county during the evening.
The public observed quarter-sized hail in the Dawonsville area. Radar data, and reports from neighboring counties to the west and east, supports that hail this size or larger likely fell in a west to east swath across the county from west of Dawonsville along the Pickens county line to the Hall county line east of Dawsonville.
The Union County Emergency Management Director relayed a report of nickel-sized hail in the far southern portion of the county around Suches.
A storm spotter/firefighter for Lumpkin county reported that more than 100 trees were blown down in the Mill Creek Station Subdivision in western Lumpkin county near the Dawson county border, west of Georgia Highway 9. One house suffered significant damage from a downed tree and a vehicle was smashed from a fallen tree. Many of the trees were uprooted or twisted off approximately 20 feet above ground level.
The Heard County Emergency Management Director reported penny to nickel-sized hail across the northern portion of the county.
The Heard County Emergency Management Director reported that several trees and power lines were down across the northern portion of the county.
The Herald Tribune of Cartersville reported that lightning struck a home on Fairfield Drive and set the structure on fire. The blaze in the two-story home was confined to the attic.
The Hall County Emergency Management Director reported that several trees were blown down scattered about the county. Most of the damage appeared to be in the Flowery Branch and Gainesville areas. An outbuilding was destroyed in Flowery Branch.
The public observed quarter-sized hail across west central Cherokee county, south of Waleska. This was the second of three severe thunderstorms producing large hail to track across Cherokee county. This storm tracked across the central portion of the county and weakened as it moved east-southeast.
The Hall County Emergency Management Director relayed reports of penny-sized hail.
The Carroll County Emergency Management Director reported penny-sized hail across the far southern portion of the county along the Heard and Coweta county lines.
A storm spotter observed quarter-sized hail near and west of Cumming.
The public observed penny to quarter-sized hail across the far southern portion of Cherokee county, especially in the Woodstock area. This was the third severe thunderstorm to track across Cherokee county. Hail was observed to be at least one inch deep on the ground in the Woodstock area after the storm had passed.
A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia, confirmed that an EF1 tornado had touched down just west of a home at the end of Bay Circle off an inlet of Lake Lanier. The tornado tracked across this home and across a small inlet of Lake Lanier to another home at the end of Bay Court on the other side of the lake inlet. At least 50 large trees were uprooted or snapped around the home off Bay Circle, several of which fell on and caused considerable damage to the structure. Two vehicles in the driveway of this home were crushed when large trees fell on them. Three boats and two boat docks were destroyed. The boat docks, and one of the boats, were blown inland some 200 yards, overturned, and portions wrapped around or underneath fallen trees. The home on Bay Court on the other side of the Lake Lanier inlet suffered minor roof and structural damage from downed trees. However, at least another 50 large trees were uprooted or snapped on the adjacent land between the home and the lake inlet. The tornado lifted as it approached a steep hill behind the home on Bay Court. A couple of adjacent homes also suffered minor roof and window damage.
The public observed penny-sized hail in the extreme northern portion of Cobb county, near the Cherokee county line, northeast of Acworth.
The Banks County 911 Center reported that many trees were blown down across the northern portion of the county. No structural damage was indicated.
Several reports of hail, ranging in size from pennies to quarters, were received from the public across central and eastern Coweta county. Quarter-sized hail was observed near Newnan and north of Newnan, while penny-sized hail was observed near Sharpsburg.
The Bartow County Emergency Management Director reported that lightning struck and set a home on fire. The structure suffered minor damage before the fire was extinguished.
The Fulton County Emergency Management Director reported that at least a dozen trees were down in the far northern portion of the county between Crabapple and Alpharetta in the Milton community. One home suffered structural damage from downed trees.
The Fulton County Emergency Management Director reported that penny to golf ball-sized hail fell across far northern Fulton county around Alpharetta. The public observed penny-sized hail near Crabapple. Most of the hail reports were penny to nickel-sized.
Several reports of golf ball-sized hail were received from the Polk County Emergency Management Director from east of Cedartown to Rockmart, including Aragon.
The Polk County Emergency Management Director reported that several trees were down around Cedartown.
Several National Weather Service employees and the public observed penny-sized hail in the Peachtree City area.
A storm spotter observed penny-sized hail in the far southern part of Forsyth county near the Fulton and Gwinnett county borders in the Big Creek area. This hail fell from a separate thunderstorm from the one that earlier produced an EF1 tornado southeast of Cumming on the west side of Lake Lanier.
The public observed quarter-sized hail near Commerce.
The Haralson County 911 Center reported that hail fell across much of the county. Radar data and reports from neighboring counties from the same thunderstorms support at least penny-sized hail. Exact times were estimated using radar data.
The public observed golf ball-sized hail in the Sugar Hill and Lake Lanier/Buford Dam areas and penny to nickel-sized hail in the far northeast part of the county in the Chateau Elan area.
Several reports of nickel to half-dollar-sized hail were received from amateur radio operators and the public across north and western Paulding county, especially in the Dallas area. Radar data and reports from Polk county immediately adjacent to the west indicate that large hail likely fell from Braswell to just east of Dallas before the storm weakened.
The public observed quarter-sized hail in the far southwest part of the county near the Jackson county border.
The Henry County 911 Center reported nickel-sized hail in the McDonough area.
The public observed quarter-sized hail in Winder on Georgia Highway 211, Rockwell Church Road, and near the Barrow-Winder High School. The public observed penny-sized hail between Thompson's Mill and Auburn. Winds were estimated at 60-70 mph with this thunderstorm, but no tree or structural damage was reported.
The public observed half-dollar-sized hail in the far southeast corner of Paulding county near the intersection of Georgia Highway 92 and Brownsville Road. The hail fell in the area for up to seven minutes. Earlier, the public observed nickel to quarter-sized hail further west near New Georgia in south central Paulding county. In addition, a wind gust of 51 mph was measured on personal wind equipment on a private vehicle on Georgia Highway 92 at Brownsville Road.
The public reported quarter-sized hail in far northern Carroll county near Villa Rica. This was from a second and separate thunderstorm that earlier produced hail near Whitesburg.
An amateur radio operator relayed a report of penny-sized hail in the Johns Creek area of north Fulton county. This was one of several severe thunderstorms to track across Fulton county during the evening, each one progressing a little further southward within the county.
An amateur radio operator relayed a report of nickel-sized hail north of Sharpsburg in the Thomas Crossroads area. Penny-sized hail was observed along the Coweta-Fayette county line near Peachtree City.
The public observed penny to quarter-sized hail near Duluth and southward.
The public observed nickel-sized hail in the eastern part of Cobb county in the Indian Hills, Crossgate, and Ashebrook area.
Amateur radio operators and the public observed penny-sized hail from Peachtree City to Brooks.
A storm spotter observed half-dollar-sized hail southwest of Arcade while another storm spotter observed penny-sized hail in southern Jackson county, south of Jackson. This was the second severe thunderstorm to track across the county, this time across the far southern portion of the county.
The public observed golf ball-sized hail in the southwest part of the county from a second severe thunderstorm that moved east out of southern Jackson county.
An off duty National Weather Service employee observed penny-sized hail in the Hampton area.
A storm spotter observed nickel-sized hail on the east side of Atlanta in the Grant Park area.
The Putnam County Emergency Management Director reported that many trees were blown down throughout the county. No structural damage was reported.
The public observed nickel-sized hail in the Kirkwood and Clifton area in the southwestern part of DeKalb county.
Several reports of quarter-sized hail were received from the northwest side of Griffin into the Griffin area.
Amateur radio operators reported that several trees were down on the northwest side of Griffin. The trees were at least eight inches in diameter.
The public observed penny-sized hail in western Fulton county near Six Flags and the Cobb county line.
The Butts County Emergency Management Director reported that many trees were down across the county. A tree was down on a home on Georgia Highway 16 causing damage to the structure.
The Barrow County 911 Center reported golf ball-sized hail in the Winder area.
The Rockdale County Emergency Management Director reported that a few small trees were blown down across the northern portion of the county. Pea-sized hail was also observed.
The public observed penny to nickel to quarter-sized hail in the Decatur area.
The public observed penny-sized hail in extreme southern Cobb county near Six Flags.
The Walton County 911 Center received several reports of penny to nickel-sized hail were received from the public.
The Warren County 911 Center reported that a few trees were blown down in the far western portion of the county near the Hancock county line.
A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia, confirmed that an EF1 tornado had touched down approximately 2.5 miles south of Ochille and continued on an east-southeastward track across central Chattahoochee county, lifting about 4.0 miles east-southeast of its touchdown point. The path width was determined to be 440 yards with maximum winds estimated at 80 mph. The damage appeared to have begun as a downburst, within which the brief EF1 tornado spin up occurred. Combined damage from the downburst and EF1 tornado consisted of destruction of several out buildings and sheds. Hundreds of trees were flattened along the path of the tornado. Another EF1 tornado was spawned from the same supercell thunderstorm, also within Chattahoochee county, just eight minutes later and four miles further east.
A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that a second EF1 tornado touched down within Chattahoochee county from the same parent supercell thunderstorm that spawned an earlier EF1 tornado 2.5 miles south of Ochille. This EF1 tornado touched down approximately 2.5 miles east-northeast of Cusseta and also traveled on the ground about 4.0 miles to the east-southeast just north of and paralleling Georgia Highway 26. The maximum path width was determined to be 100 yards with maximum winds estimated at 80 mph. Minor damage was observed to at least two homes and one church. A 20 by 24 foot metal storage building on Georgia Highway 26 was destroyed. Several other storage sheds or outbuildings along the path of the tornado suffered minor to moderate damage.
The Walton Times reported that the steeple of a church in Gratis was struck by lightning. While no fire resulted, the sound system and some computers in the church suffered electronic damage.
The public observed penny to quarter-sized hail south of Buena Vista in the Draneville community.
The Hancock County Emergency Management Director relayed a report from a weather spotter of golf ball-sized hail in the Shoulderbone area.
A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that a brief EF1 tornado touched down approximately two miles northwest of Sparta and traveled only 1.5 miles before lifting. This was the first of three tornadoes to touch down in Hancock county between 1019 pm EDT and 1028 pm EDT, each near Sparta. This tornado was determined to have a maximum path width of 100 feet with maximum winds estimated at 80 mph. This first tornado tracked through a quite rural area. However, one mobile home suffered moderate damage to its roof, siding, and windows.
The public observed golf ball-sized hail in extreme southern Newton county near Stewart.
A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that yet a second tornado touched down in Hancock county. This was also a brief EF0 tornado and touched down just north-northeast of downtown Sparta. The path width of this tornado was determined to also be 100 feet with maximum winds estimated to also be 80 mph. Numerous large trees were down along the path of the tornado in a primarily rural area. No structural damage was noted in association with this tornado.
A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that yet a third tornado touched down in Hancock county within a 15 minute period of time. However, this tornado was determined to be an EF3 tornado. This tornado touched down about halfway between Sparta and Culverton in east central Hancock county. The tornado was determined to have a maximum path width of 1/2 mile with maximum winds of 160 mph. Much of the damage occurred along Dunn and Hickory Grove Roads. Along the path of the tornado, one 4000 square foot site-built home was completely destroyed. The debris from the home was scattered across an area up to 400 feet downstream. A resident of this home suffered serious injuries. Another nearby double-wide mobile home was also completely destroyed. Two other nearby homes on Dunn suffered minor damage and two additional homes on Youngblood Road toward Jewell suffered extensive roof damage. A swath of 116 mature pecan trees at a pecan orchard on Hickory Grove road were flattened. These were owned by a resident adjacent to one of the damaged homes on Hickory Grove Road. One of the homeowners also lost a Shetland pony during the tornado.
The Newton County Emergency Management Director reported several trees and large tree limbs were down in the far southern part of the county near Georgia Highways 36, 162, and 212.
The public observed quarter-sized hail around Ellaville.
The public observed a funnel cloud near Ellaville. Doppler radar data clearly indicated a strong mesoscale circulation passing just south of Ellaville at the time.
The Glascock County Emergency Management Director reported that the roof was blown off the carport of a home. No other damage was noted in the area at this time.
A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that a brief EF0 tornado had touched down just southeast of the city of Gibson and traveled approximately 1000 yards or about 0.6 mile on an east-southeastward track. This tornado was spawned by the same supercell thunderstorm that spawned the earlier EF3 tornado in eastern Hancock county. The tornado was determined to have a maximum path width of 150 yards with maximum winds of 100 mph. A number of large pine trees were uprooted or snapped along the path of the tornado. However, no structural damage was noted as a result of this tornado.
The Sumter County Emergency Management Director reported that more than a dozen trees were blown down in the Andersonville area of far northern Sumter county.
A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that an EF1 tornado touched down in extreme northeast Sumter county, approximately three miles east-southeast of Methvins and continued on an east-southeastward track for approximately 25 miles across extreme southern Dooly county and into extreme northwest Wilcox county before lifting approximately five miles north of Seville in Wilcox county. This was the first of three tornadoes to touch down in Sumter county the evening of April 10th. Within Sumter county, this tornado had a path length of about 2.5 miles. It was also apparent that this tornado was spawned from the same supercell thunderstorm that spawned two earlier tornadoes in Chattahoochee county. The maximum path width of this tornado was determined to be 250 yards with maximum winds estimated at 110 mph. Damage in Sumter county was mostly confined to hundreds of downed trees.
The public observed nickel-sized hail in the Eatonton area. Radar data suggests that penny to nickel-sized hail likely fell across much of the central portion of the county from west to east.
The Putnam County Emergency Management Director reported that several trees and power lines were down around Eatonton. Trees were down on at least three mobile homes causing damage to the structures. Radar data suggests that this storm traveled from just west of Eatonton to the southeast corner of the county near Flat Rock.
A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City confirmed that the EF1 tornado, that originally touched down in far northeastern Sumter county three miles east-southeast of Methvins, continued on an east-southeastward track across far southern Dooly county and into extreme northwest Wilcox county, lifting approximately five miles north of Seville in Wilcox county. The tornado tracked around 21 miles within Dooly county. The maximum path width was determined to be 250 yards and the maximum winds were estimated at 110 mph. The tornado passed just north of Drayton and just south of Vienna in Dooly county. Several hundred trees were either uprooted or snapped along the path of the tornado. A number of pecan trees in an orchard south of Vienna were destroyed. Two site built homes suffered significant roof damage from downed trees on the structures. Two mobiles homes were also damaged by the high winds of the tornado. Several barns and outbuildings were destroyed along the path of the tornado. Several irrigation systems were rolled over. A small radio tower in the eastern part of Dooly county was also blown over. No deaths or injuries were reported.
The Butts County Emergency Management Director reported that at least 10 trees were down in the far southern portion of the county, south of Indian Springs near the Monroe county line.
A damage survey conducted by the Dooly County Emergency Management Director confirmed that yet another, weaker EF0 tornado was tracking across Dooly county, just north of Vienna, as the longer-lived EF1 tornado was tracking across all of southern Dooly county south of Vienna. This EF0 tornado touched down approximately two miles north of Vienna and traveled east-northeast approximately six miles before lifting. This tornado was determined to have a maximum path width of 100 yards with maximum winds estimated at 85 mph. Spotty damage was observed along the path of the tornado. A chicken house was destroyed, one home suffered minor roof damage, and a tin roof was peeled off a barn. From 15 to 20 trees were uprooted or snapped along the path of the tornado.
A survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City confirmed that the EF1 tornado, that initially touched down in far northeast Sumter county, continued across far southern Dooly county, before ending just inside Wilcox county, approximately five miles north of Seville. The tornado tracked a little over one mile within Wilcox county with a maximum path width of 250 yards and maximum winds estimated at 110 mph. Within Wilcox county, only around 100 downed trees were noted along the path of the tornado.
A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that a brief EF0 tornado touched down in western Sumter county near the Experimental Station on U.S. Highway 280, approximately one mile northeast of Plains, and tracked about one mile to the east-southeast before lifting. The tornado was determined to have a maximum path width of 200 yards with maximum winds estimated at 100 mph. Wind equipment at the Plains Research Center measured a wind gust of 110 mph as the tornado passed nearby. This was the second of three tornadoes to affect Sumter county during the late evening of April 10th and the early morning hours of April 11th. Damage along the tornado path was spotty with many downed trees.
The public observed penny-sized hail in the far northern part of the county in the Hamburg State Park area.
The public observed penny-sized hail across southern Baldwin county. Time and location estimated from radar data.
A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City confirmed that yet a second tornado touched down in Glascock county during the evening of April 10th. This tornado was determined to be an EF1 and touched down in the far eastern part of the county, approximately 4.5 miles east-northeast of Gibson. The tornado continued on an almost due eastward path for five miles into northern Jefferson county, lifting approximately three miles northeast of Stapleton. The maximum path width was determined to be 200 yards with maximum winds estimated at 110 mph. Damage within Glascock county from this tornado was confined to several downed trees.
A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that the EF1 tornado that initially touched down in extreme eastern Glascock county continued into far northern Jefferson county along a five mile-long path before lifting approximately three miles northeast of Stapleton. The tornado was determined to have a maximum path width of 200 yards with maximum winds estimated at 110 mph. The majority of the damage associated with this tornado occurred in Jefferson county. Significant damage was observed to the Heartsgrove Baptist Church at the intersection of Georgia Highways 80 and 296, just across from the Glascock county line. Part of the roof, brick siding, and the chimney were removed from the structure. Several granite headstones in the adjacent cemetery were tipped over. Many trees were down along the path of the tornado, especially along a 3/4 mile-long path east of the damaged church.
Two reports of golf ball-sized hail were received from the public in the Weston area. Radar data indicates that golf ball-sized hail likely fell from Weston east-southeastward to the southeast corner of the county.
A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that yet a third EF1 tornado touched down in Sumter county. This was a long-lived tornado and tracked across three counties, Sumter, Crisp, and Wilcox, for an approximate path length of 33 miles. This tornado touched down in far southeast Sumter county in the Cobb community and crossed Lake Blackshear into Crisp county about three miles east-southeast of Cobb. The tornado was determined to have a maximum path width of 200 yards with maximum winds estimated at 100 mph. Within Sumter county, one home was destroyed and 45 suffered minor to moderate damage. The damage was largely the result of downed trees on the structures. Two to three dozen trees and several power lines were down along the path of the tornado.
The public observed penny-sized hail in the far northern part of the county near Ivey.
A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that the third EF1 tornado to touch down in Sumter county the evening of April 10th, continued on a sporadic, but long path, across Crisp and into Wilcox county before lifting. The tornado crossed into Crisp county at Lake Blackshear, just south of the Georgia Veterans State Park. The tornado entered the county as an EF1 with a maximum path width of 200 yards. However, as the tornado crossed the lake into western Crisp county, it weakened to an EF0 with a maximum path width of 100 yards. Maximum winds were estimated at 100 mph as the tornado entered the county, but quickly weakened to 80 mph as it progressed across the lake. The path length within Crisp county was approximately 14 miles. Within Crisp county, 20 homes sustained minor to moderate damage. This damage was primarily the result of large downed trees on the structures. At least two to three dozen trees were down along the path of the tornado within Crisp county.
Data gathered from the Wilcox County Emergency Management Director and from a damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia concluded that the EF1 tornado that began in the Cobb community of far southeast Sumter county and tracked east-southeast across Crisp county, continued into far southwest and south central Wilcox county before lifting. The total path length of the tornado was around 33 miles. Damage was sporadic along the path of the tornado. The tornado tracked approximately 12 miles within Wilcox county and remained as a weaker EF0 tornado with a maximum path width of 100 yards and maximum winds of 80 mph. Within Wilcox county, most of the damage was concentrated in the Owensboro area, with just isolated tree damage from Hatley, along the Crisp/Wilcox county line to the west side of Ownesboro. One home at the intersection of County Roads 60 and 61, just southwest of Owensboro, suffered considerable damage. A mobile home was destroyed just east of the intersection of Georgia Highways 233 and 238. Finally, considerable damage was noted to a pecan orchard east of County Road 63 or about one mile east-southeast of Owensboro, near the point where the tornado lifted.
The Washington County Emergency Management Director reported that more than 50 hardwood and pine trees were down along a sporadic path from just west-southwest of Harrison at the intersection of Adams Circle and Georgia Highway 15 eastward to Red Hill Drive just west of Wrightsville-Riddleville Road, east-southeast of Harrison. Five large pine trees were down on Adams Circle, one causing considerable damage to a barn. On South Railroad Avenue, some minor structural damage was noted, also from downed trees. From 40-50 trees were down along Red Hill Drive. It was concluded that because nearly all of the trees were blown down in one direction that this was caused by a downburst or straight-line winds and not a tornado.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2009Every state in 2009This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Georgia, 2009Warnings in Georgia, April 2009
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: 162109, 162110, 162111, 162112, 162113, 162115, 162117, 162118, 162122, 162126, 162127, 162123, 162125, 162230, 162128, 162229, 162231, 167503, 162240, 162282, 162284, 162232, 162233, 162286, 162290, 162235, 162295, 162129, 162226, 162238, 162298, 162287, 162299, 168509, 162239, 162288, 162499, 162487, 167464, 162485, and more.