Tornadoes and Hail in Georgia, October 25, 2010

A storm survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia, confirmed that an EF1 tornado, which began in DeKalb county Alabama, crossed into Dade county approximately two miles southwest of Rising Fawn. The tornado then tracked east-northeast, lifting approximately two miles east of Rising Fawn near the eastern most extension of Holder Loop Road. The maximum path width was determined to be 150 yards with maximum wind gusts estimated at 100 mph. Considerable damage to trees and property was noted along the path of the tornado. Thirty homes sustained minor roof damage either from the strong wind or downed trees. Two barns were destroyed and a mobile home lost nearly all of its roof. Nearly 200 trees were uprooted, snapped, or blown over along the path of the tornado.

The Walker County Emergency Management Director reported widespread downed trees and power lines throughout the county, but primarily the southern half, including LaFayette. Nearly two dozen roads, including portions of Georgia Highways 341 and 136, were blocked from downed trees. Consequently, several school districts had to delay their start time at least two hours. An outbuilding at a private residence, where a number of antiques were stored, was destroyed when a large tree fell on the structure. In addition, shingles were blown off roofs of homes on Shook Road and Old Bethel Roads.

The Chattooga County Emergency Management Director reported widespread damage to trees and power lines across the county. Several buildings sustained roof damage from the winds and/or downed trees.

A storm survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that strong straight-line winds, with gusts near 90 mph, had resulted in widespread downed trees in the northeast corner of the county between Morganville and Wildwood. Much of the damage was along Mason and Lambert Roads. Several homes sustained minor roof damage and two vehicles were also destroyed from downed trees.

The Emergency Management Director reported quarter-sized hail across the northwest part of the county.

The Catoosa County Emergency Management Director reported that a number of trees and power lines were down across the southern part of the county. Several locations in the county, including Ringgold, were left without power.

The Whitfield County Emergency Management Director reported that a home on Alpison Road in Cohutta was destroyed when several large trees fell on the structure. Amateur radio operators relayed reports that school buses encountered several downed trees and power outages. The Whitfield County Emergency Management Director also reported that a few trees were down around Dalton with scattered power outages.

The Floyd County Emergency Management Director reported that several trees were down across the county. One telephone pole was down across a road causing the road to be temporarily closed.

A storm survey conducted by the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that an EF0 tornado had touched down approximately four miles northeast of Ringgold along Keiths Road. The tornado traveled east-northeast for only 300 yards before lifting. Maximum path width was determined to be 75 yards with maximum winds gusts estimated to be 80 mph. Two homes, two chicken houses, and a barn suffered minor roof damage from the tornado. In addition, approximately 50 trees were downed along the path of the tornado.

The public reported observing golf ball-sized hail near Resaca. However, radar data was not supportive of hail this large. The same storm only produced quarter-sized hail in Chattooga county and had already weakened by the time it reached Gordon county.

The Calhoun Times reported that a log cabin, built in the 1840s, on Mountain Loop Road near Sugar Valley in northwest Gordon county suffered extensive damage when a large tree fell through the roof of the structure. Two other trees were also blown down in the back yard, but these did not cause damage to the home.

The Murray County Emergency Management Director reported that about six trees were down across the county, mainly in the Fort Mountain area.

The Bartow County Emergency Management Director reported that several trees were down across the county. In addition, one power line was down on a school bus.

The Haralson County Emergency Management Director reported that four trees were down across the county, mainly north of Georgia Highway 120. A few power outages were also noted in the north part of the county.

The Fannin County 911 Center reported that more than half-a-dozen trees were down across the western part of the county.

The Newnan Times-Herald wrote that the Coweta County Emergency Management Director reported that a few trees and power lines were blown down in the Newnan vicinity. Trees blocked parts of Fischer Road near Sharpsburg and Belk Road near Newnan. A couple of power line were also down as a result of downed trees.

The Gilmer County Emergency Management Director reported that six trees and a few power lines were down across the county. Radar data suggests that the majority of this occurred from Ellijay westward as the line of thunderstorms weakened considerably as it moved into the eastern part of the county.

The Carroll County Emergency Management Director reported that three trees were down in the Carrollton vicinity.

The Paulding County Emergency Management Director reported that a structure in the northeast part of the county, just northeast of New Hope was destroyed by a lightning-related fire.

The Union County 911 Center reported that six trees were down in the Track Rock, and Foyles Town areas in the east central and southeast part of the county.

The Newnan Times-Herald reported that lightning struck an outbuilding on Providence Church Road just west of Newnan. The building was apparently destroyed from the resulting fire.

The Douglas County 911 Center reported that a tree had fallen on a home causing considerable damage to the structure and trapping the family inside. The family was rescued from the damaged home without incident or injury.

The Lumpkin County 911 Center reported that three trees were down in the Porter Springs and Cavander Creek area approximately seven to eight miles northeast of Dahlonega.

The Fulton County 911 reported that there were three structure fires in the county caused by lightning. No further information was provided.

The Eatonton Messenger reported that lightning struck a tree in the Oconee National Forest setting the tree on fire. The fire was contained quickly by the Georgia Forestry Service. Heavy rain ongoing at the time also helped to keep the fire from spreading.

Several reports of quarter to golf ball-sized hail were received from the public and amateur radio operators across the central part of Houston county from about halfway between Perry and Warner Robins to Kalthleen and Bonaire. Hail was observed on both Georgia Highway 127 and Moody Road. There was also one report of nickel-sized hail from the city of Perry, which likely fell around 240 pm EDT.

The Bleckley County Emergency Management Director reported nickel to quarter-sized hail east of Cochran.

The Laurens County Emergency Management Director reported that a few trees and power lines were down in the East Dublin area, with a few more trees and power lines down east of East Dublin toward Brewton. A home near Brewton suffered minor roof damage. A barn in the same area also sustained moderate roof damage. Downed trees were noted along U.S. Highway 319 and Ernest Road, east of East Dublin.

The public observed golf ball-sized hail northeast of Dexter near Harlow.

The Johnson County Emergency Management Director relayed that numerous reports of quarter-sized hail were received from the south part of the county from north of Scott to Meeks and Kite, including the Moore's Chapel area. Golf ball-sized hail was observed near Meeks and also on Georgia Highway 15 south of Wrightsville toward Meeks. At least one home in the Meeks area sustained significant roof damage from the large hail.

The Johnson County Emergency Management Director reported that a few trees were down in the area from five miles north of Adrian to Meeks in the southern part of the county.

Numerous reports of hail the size of quarters or larger were received from the public and the Emanuel County Emergency Management Director from across the county. While most of the hail reported was of the size of quarters, half-dollar to golf ball-sized hail was observed. In addition, one tree was down on U.S. Highway 221 north.

The public observed quarter-sized hail in the west central part of the county between Norristown, Nunez, and Swainsboro.

Amateur radio operators relayed reports of quarter-sized hail just northwest of Dublin. Hail was observed on Old Macon Road and Georgia Highway 338 and near the W. H. Bud Baron Airport.

The Johnson County Emergency Management Director reported quarter-sized hail from the Meeks area.