Tornadoes and Flash Flood in Georgia, April 27 to 28, 2011

The Floyd County Emergency Management Director reported that strong thunderstorm winds, likely well in excess of 60 mph, caused widespread and extensive damage across the county. Some of the worst damage was in the Cave Spring area. All together, 157 homes and 13 commercial buildings sustained minor to moderate damage or were destroyed, many from downed trees. Four injuries were reported during this event, three which occurred when a large tree fell on a vehicle and a fourth when a large tree fell on a home and injured an elderly lady. Over 300 trees were down across the county causing 32 roads to be closed. Over 15,000 homes and many businesses across the county were left without power for several hours. Both Shorter University and Berry College were closed as neither institution had any power at the start of the business day. The Emergency Manager estimated that monetary damages from this countywide thunderstorm wind event exceeded the damage that occurred later in the day with an EF2 tornado, during which the damage was more localized.

The Haralson County 911 Center reported that there were many downed trees across the county. In addition, a tree had fallen on a home in Tallapoosa causing damage to the structure and an adjacent vehicle.

The Polk County 911 Center reported widespread damage to trees and power lines throughout the county. No structural damage was reported.

The Dade County Emergency Management Director reported that dozens of trees and power lines were down throughout the county, even outside the EF1 tornado path that tracked from just south-southwest of Trenton to near the Tennessee border near Wildwood. The damage was the result of strong straight line winds of 60 mph or greater.

The Walker County 911 Center reported that several trees were down in the south central and southeast part of the county, especially around Suttles Mill. The public reported that up to 50 treeswere down in the Flintstone area of northwest Walker county. Another large tree was also down in the Beverly Hills subdivision in Rossville in the northeast part of the county destroying a large three-wall tin shed.

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City confirmed that an EF1 tornado had touched down approximately two miles south-southwest of Trenton and tracked north-northeastward nearly nine miles, lifting just before reaching the Tennessee border. This was the first of 15 tornadoes to touch down within the Peachtree City, Georgia forecast area during this historical tornado outbreak across the southern and eastern U.S. The maximum tornado path width was determined to be 100 yards wide with maximum wind gusts estimated to be 100 mph. Only very small portions of the tornado path were rated EF1, namely across Trenton and to the northeast near Lookout Mountain. The rest of the tornado path was rated an EF0. Several homes, mostly in the Trenton area, sustained minor damage as well as an elementary school and bank building on the south side of Trenton along Georgia Highway 136. In addition, dozens of trees were damaged along the path of the tornado.

[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #1, County #1-1, EF1, Dade, 2011:010].

The Catoosa County 911 Center reported that many trees were down in the northwest part of the county, especially around the city of Lakeview. In addition, a tree was down on a home in Lakeview causing damage to the structure.

The Whitfield County Emergency Management Director reported that several trees were down across the southern half of the county.

The Gordon County Emergency Management Director reported the roof was blown off a commercial building in Calhoun. Two other structures suffered major damage while 20 others sustained minor damage. Several trees and power lines were also down in the area, especially near Resaca.

The Murray County 911 Center reported that several trees and power lines were down throughout the county.

The Dade County Emergency Management Director reported that over 50 trees were down in the north central and northwest part of the county, especially along Georgia Highway 299. Numerous trees were also down just southwest of Trenton with extensive damage along North Woods Lane. This was the same neighborhood to be struck by an EF1 tornado at 840 am EDT and an EF3 tornado later the same day. This neighborhood was literally devastated by these multiple events tracking over the same area.

The Walker County 911 Center reported widespread tree damage in the Lookout Mountain area in the far northwest part of the county.

The Catoosa County 911 Center reported that several trees and power lines were down in the extreme northwest part of the county, near Fort Oglethorpe and Lakeview.

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City confirmed that an EF3 tornado, which originated in DeKalb county, Alabama, continued on an east-northeast track into and across central Dade county, Georgia and further east-northeast into Walker county before lifting just west of Fort Oglethorpe. The tornado path length within Dade county, Georgia was approximately 9.5 miles, while the path length within Georgia was 18 miles long. The tornado was determined, within Georgia, to have a maximum path width of 0.6 mile and maximum winds of 150 mph. The tornado tracked directly across the county seat of Dade county, namely Trenton. Trenton is also the largest city in Dade county. Portions of Trenton, especially the southern part of the city, were literally destroyed. Dozens of homes were completely destroyed. Eighteen more homes suffered major damage. Literally tens of thousands of trees were blown down, uprooted, or splintered. Some of the worst devastation was observed in the Black Valley Road area, including the Middleton Estates subdivision and along U.S. Highway 11 and Georgia Highway 136. Considerable damage was also noted to apartments and several commercial buildings as well. The Edgewood Townhouses and Village Green Apartments suffered extensive damage. Among commercial structures sustaining damages were the Moore and Ryan Funeral Home along with an Ingles Grocery Store. Two fatalities and 25 injuries occurred as a result of this tornado, mostly in Trenton.

[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #2, County #1-2, EF2, Dade-Walker, 2011:011].

This tornado is a continuation of the EF3 tornado that originated in DeKalb county, Alabama, tracked across central Dade county, Georgia, and then across northern Walker county, Georgia before lifting just before reaching the Tennessee line. The tornado weakened to an EF2 strength before entering Walker county, and continued as an EF2 to EF1 across much of its path within Walker county. The tornado crossed into Walker county approximately five miles west-southwest of Chattanooga Valley and lifted just west of Fort Oglethorpe near the intersection of U.S. Highway 27 and Georgia Highway 2. Thousands of trees and dozens of power lines were taken down by the tornado. Dozens of homes suffered severe damage, especially across the northern part of the county. Seven homes were completely destroyed. The most severe damage was noted in the Flintstone area. While no fatalities occurred within Walker county, there were 25 injuries, mostly at the severely damaged or destroyed homes. The most severe damage with this tornado occurred in Dade county.

Damage in Walker county consists of seven destroyed homes, 26 with major damage, and 35 with minor damage.

[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #2, County #2-2, EF2, Dade-Walker, 2011:011].

A trained storm spotter observed softball-sized hail in the northeast part of Dade county near Wildwood.

Amateur radio operators and the public reported that several trees and some power lines were blown down across the northern part of Walker county, north of the EF3 tornado that tracked more across central Walker county. Several trees were down near Lookout Mountain and Rossville. In addition, a small outbuilding near Rossville was blown away and all of its contents were scattered about.

The Catoosa County Emergency Management Director reported that a couple of trees were down near Lakeview and some shingles were blown off the roofs of some homes in the area.

A trained storm spotter observed quarter-sized hail outside of Trenton. WSR-88D radar data suggests that most of the hail fell across the southern half of the county from near Rising Fawn to Cloudland Canyon State Park.

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that yet a third tornado affected Dade county on this record tornado outbreak day. This tornado also originated in DeKalb county, Alabama. It crossed into Georgia near Fox Mountain and continued to just north-northwest of Rising Fawn before lifting. It tracked approximately three miles within Dade county. The tornado path length was approximately three miles with a maximum path width of 100 yards. Maximum winds were estimated to be 110 mph. The supercell thunderstorm that spawned this tornado went on later to spawn the catastrophic EF4 tornado that destroyed the town of Ringgold, Georgia in Catoosa county less than 30 minutes later. This tornado tracked across a largely rural area and as such damage was limited to hundreds of downed trees and several power lines in the area. Minor structural damage was noted to a few homes in Rising Fawn. No deaths or injuries were reported from this particular tornado.

Total damages from the three tornadoes and wind damage across Dade county on this day consist of 86 destroyed homes and/or businesses, 99 with major damage, and 25 with minor damage for a total of 210 affected structures.

[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #3, County #1-1, EF1, Dade, 2011:012].

A survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that an EF4 tornado, the first of this intensity to occur within the Peachtree City, Georgia county warning area (CWA), touched down in Catoosa county, just southwest of Ringgold along Davis Ridge Road. The tornado tracked across Interstate-75 at mile marker 348 then continued on into and through the city of Ringgold before tracking northeast toward Cohutta and then into Hamilton and eventually Bradley county, Tennessee. The tornado tracked nearly 12 miles through Catoosa county. Major devastation was observed throughout the north side of the city of Ringgold. The worst damage occurred on Cherokee Valley Road on the north side of Ringgold where 12 homes were obliterated. An additional 80 to 90 homes sustained major damage from the tornado. In addition, several commercial businesses, including restaurants and motels, at exit 348 on Interstate-75 were destroyed. There were eight fatalities and 30 injuries reported with this tornado. Seven of the eight deaths occurred on Cherokee Valley Road, which was heavily devastated by the tornado. Most of the tornado victims lived within 200 yards of each other and were killed when their homes collapsed around them. Finally, hundreds of trees and dozens of power lines and utility poles were also destroyed by the tornado. This was by far the deadliest and most devastating of the 15 tornadoes to affect north and central Georgia during this tornado outbreak.

Total damages from Catoosa county consist of 74 destroyed homes and/or businesses, 60 with major damage, and 118 with minor damage for a total of 252 affected structures.

[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #4, County #1-1, EF4, Catoosa, 2011:013].

The public observed golf ball-sized hail across northern Catoosa county, including the northern side of Ringgold.

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that the fifth tornado of the major tornado outbreak of April 27th and 28th once again entered Georgia from Alabama and affected Polk, Floyd, and Bartow counties in Georgia. This tornado was an EF2 and entered Polk county from Cherokee county Alabama. It was a long-lived well tracked supercell and was likely the same supercell which spawned the EF5 tornado that destroyed Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The tornado only tracked across a small portion of extreme northwest Polk county before moving into south west Floyd county, just south of Cave Spring. The total tornado path length was 26 miles, but the tornado was only on the ground in Polk county for a little over four miles. The path width of the tornado was determined to be 1/2 mile with maximum winds of 125 mph. Within Polk county, the majority of the damage was to a chicken farm, where at least eight chicken houses were completely destroyed, including all of the contents and poultry. However, nearly two dozens structures were destroyed with several dozen more suffering minor to moderate damage. There were no fatalities or injuries within Polk county.

Total damages in Polk county from this tornado consist of 23 destroyed homes and/or businesses, 34 with major damage, and 49 with minor damage for a total of 106 affected structures.

[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #5, County #1-3, EF2, Polk-Floyd-Bartow, 2011:014].

Several reports of hail, ranging in size from quarters to golf balls, were received from the Floyd County Emergency Management Director and the public across the central portion of the county from southwest of Coosa, to Lindale and Rome. Golf ball-sized hail was observed in downtown Rome.

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that the EF2 tornado that originated in Cherokee county, Alabama, then crossed into extreme northwest Polk county, Georgia, continued across southern Floyd county before crossing into and eventually lifting in southwest Bartow county. The tornado tracked entered Floyd county approximately 1.4 miles south of Cave Spring then moved to the Bartow county line approximately 7.6 miles east of Lindale. Within Floyd county, the tornado had a path length of just under 19 miles. The maximum path width remained at 1/2 mile with maximum winds estimated to be 125 mph. Several homes sustained minor to moderate damage along the path of the tornado, in addition to numerous downed trees and power lines. One home on Old Cedartown Road was completely destroyed. There were no fatalities reported in Floyd county, but four injuries occurred at the damaged homes.

The earlier morning damaging thunderstorm wind event and this tornado in Floyd county netted 105 destroyed homes, 60 with major damage, and an additional 44 homes with minor damage.

[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #5, County #2-3, EF2, Polk-Floyd-Bartow, 2011:014].

Amateur radio operators relayed reports of a number of trees down and some structural damage on the south side of Rome, near the Highway 1 Loop and U.S. Highway 27.

A spotter observed nickel-sized hail northeast of Cartersville. WSR-88D radar data suggests that hail of this size or larger likely fell from the west central areas of the county, west of Kingston, to the northeast corner of the county, northeast of Funkhouser. Neighboring counties Floyd and Pickens reported golf ball-sized hail.

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that the EF2 tornado that originated in Cherokee county, Alabama and continued across northwest Polk and southern Floyd counties in Georgia continued into western Bartow county before lifting. However, the tornado weakened to an EF1 strength before moving into Bartow county. The tornado crossed into Bartow county from Floyd county approximately 6.8 miles southwest of Kingston and continued to a point approximately 4.0 miles southwest of Kingston before lifting. Damage in Bartow county was mostly confined to hundreds of downed trees and several power lines. However, two chicken houses were destroyed in western Bartow county from this tornado. There were no fatalities or injuries reported with this tornado in Bartow county.

It should be noted that the same thunderstorm that spawned this EF2 tornado went on just five minutes later to spawn an EF3 tornado that tracked across northern Bartow, northwestern Cherokee, and into Pickens county, and then later another EF2 tornado that tracked from Lumpkin into White and Rabun counties in the northeast Georgia mountains.

[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #5, County #3-3, EF2, Polk-Floyd-Bartow, 2011:014].

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City and the Cherokee County Emergency Management Director confirmed that a second and stronger EF3 tornado touched down approximately five miles northeast of Kingston, then tracked across extreme northwest Cherokee and into Pickens county, lifting seven miles west of Jasper. This tornado was spawned by the same thunderstorm supercell that had earlier resulted in an EF2 tornado that tracked from Cherokee county, Alabama across northwest Polk, southern Floyd, and into western Bartow county before lifting approximately four miles southwest of Kingston. The total path length of this tornado was 23 miles across the three Georgia counties. Slightly over 15 miles of this path was within Bartow county. The tornado had a maximum path width of 1/2 mile and maximum winds estimated to be 150 mph. Extensive damage was observed across north central and northeast Bartow county to homes. A total of 40 homes were destroyed with 240 others suffering minor damage. Several chicken houses near Interstate-75 were destroyed as well as several outbuildings. Damage was most extensive in the Crowe Springs Road area of Bartow county, approximately five miles northwest of White and north of Cassville. Hundreds of trees and many power lines were also down along the tornado path. Twenty-five injuries were observed in Bartow county, nearly all at the severely damaged or destroyed homes. No fatalities were reported within Bartow county from either tornado.

[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #6, County #1-3, EF3, Bartow-Cherokee-Pickens, 2011:015].

The public observed golf ball-sized hail near Talking Rock. WSR-88D radar data suggests that similar-sized hail likely fell across much of the county from west of Hinton to the northeast corner of the county near Sequoyah Lake.

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia and the Cherokee County Emergency Management Director confirmed that the EF3 tornado that first touched down in northern Bartow county, apprxoimately five miles northeast of Kingston, continued across extreme northwest Cherokee county before moving northeast further into western Pickens county. This tornado only impacted a very small portion of Cherokee county, slightly over one mile in length. The overall path length of the tornado was 23 miles. While the tornado was an EF3 in much of Bartow and again for a small path in Pickens, it had weakened to an EF2 rating as it crossed through Cherokee county. The maximum path width was determined to be 1/2 mile with maximum winds of 150 mph. Within Cherokee county, damage was mostly confined to hundreds of trees that were snapped or uprooted along the short path of the tornado. However, 11 structures suffered major damage and another 10 sustained minor damage for a total of 21 affected structures.

[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #6, County #2-3, EF3, Bartow-Cherokee-Pickens, 2011:015].

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia and the Cherokee County Emergency Management Director confirmed that the EF3 tornado that touched down in northern Bartow county, five miles northeast of Kingston and continued across extreme northwest Cherokee county, also continued into western Pickens county before lifting. The tornado tracked northeast across Pickens county, entering the county almost five miles west-southwest of Talmadge and lifting approximately two miles east of Hinton or seven miles west of Jasper. Within in Pickens county extensive damage was observed along Henderson Mountain Road and Bryant Road where several mobile homes were completely destroyed. There was at least one injury observed, but no fatalities in Pickens county as a result of this tornado.

Total damages in Pickens county consist of 26 homes and/or business destroyed, 15 with major damage, and 35 with minor damage for a total of 76 affected structures.

[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #6, County #3-3, EF3, Bartow-Cherokee-Pickens, 2011:015].

The Polk County 911 Center reported that dozens of trees and power lines were down from south of Cedartown in the central part of the county to the northwest part of the county along the Floyd county line near Cave Spring. Several homes sustained minor to moderate damage near and especially just south of Cedartown. WSR-88D SRM velocity data suggests that a tornado occurred in this area, but no evidence was found of such during subsequent damage surveys. The strong tornadic-indicative circulation continued northeast across much of Bartow county.

The Carroll County Emergency Management Director reported that several trees and some power lines were down across the northwest part of the county from Bowdon to north of Carrollton to near the Haralson county line.

An aerial survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City confirmed that the supercell thunderstorm which had already spawned several tornadoes across Alabama and two in northwest and north central Georgia, including Polk, Floyd, Bartow, and Pickens counties, spawned yet a third tornado in the Peachtree City, Georgia county warning area. This tornado was an EF2 and touched down approximately 2.5 miles west of Turners Corner or the junction of U.S. Highways 129 and 19. The tornado tracked approximately 5.6 miles across northeast Lumpkin county, crossing U.S. Highways 19/129 approximately 1.6 miles north of Turners Corner and then moving toward Whitley Gap Shelter in extreme northwest White county. The tornado also crossed the Appalachian Trail in this region. The tornado continued across northern White county and then eventually into Habersham and finally Rabun counties of northeast Georgia, both of which are under the jurisdiction of the Greenville-Spartanburg National Weather Service Forecast Office. This tornado caused a death and considerable damage in Rabun county. The total path length of this tornado was 17.5 miles. Within Lumpkin county, the tornado tracked mostly through the Chattahoochee National Forest Region. Thousands of trees were blown down or uprooted along the path of the tornado through the forest and adjacent areas. Trees blocked parts of U.S. Highway 19/129 where it crossed for several hours. A total of 14 homes suffered major damage in northern Lumpkin county from the tornado. Four other structures sustained minor damage. One injury was reported from one of the damaged homes, with no fatalities.

[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #7, County #1-2, EF2, Lumpkin-White, 2011:016].

An aerial survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City confirmed that the EF2 tornado that originally touched down in northeast Lumpkin county, just west of Turners Corner, continued acros northern White county and then crossed into extreme northern Habersham county and then into Rabun county before finally lifting. Within the Peachtree City, Georgia county warning area of Lumpkin and White county, this tornado tracked approximately 17.5 miles total, with about 12.1 miles of this within White county. It should be noted that this tornado was spawned by the same supercell thunderstorm that had earlier spawned several tornadoes across Alabama and already two in northwest and north central Georgia, including Polk, Floyd, Bartow, and Pickens counties. The tornado tracked in White county from near Whitley Gap Shelter to just north of Anna Ruby Falls. Much of the tornado track was within the Chattahoochee National Forest, where thousands of trees were destroyed by the tornado. Two homes suffered major damage and an additional six others sustained minor damages from the tornado. No injuries and no fatalities were reported from the tornado within White county.

[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #7, County #2-2, EF2, Lumpkin-White, 2011:016].

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that yet an eighth tornado had touched down within the Peachtree City, Georgia county warning area, this time in northern Troup county. An EF0 tornado touched down approximately three miles west of Hillcrest in northern Troup county and then tracked 17 miles on a northeastward track across extreme southeast Heard and into southwest Coweta counties before lifting. The tornado strengthened to an EF2 rating through much of Heard and again toward the end of the path in Coweta county. Within Troup county, the path length was about 6.5 miles. The maximum path width was 100 yards with maximum winds estimated to be 90 mph. The tornado tracked mostly through a Georiga Department of Natural Resources Wildlife area, and as such damage within northern Troup county from this tornado was confined mainly to thousands of downed trees, as well as some power lines. No significant damage to structures and no fatalities or injuries were reported from this tornado within Troup county.

[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #8, County #1-3, EF1, Troup-Heard-Coweta, 2011:017].

The Cherokee County Emergency Management Director reported that several trees were down in the far northwest part of the county, especially around the Salacoa Valley area.

The Towns County Emergency Management Director reported that a tree was down on a home near Mountain Scene resulting in damage to the structure.

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that the EF0 tornado, which first touched down in north central Troup county, continued across far southeast Heard county before moving into southwest Coweta county. The tornado strengthened to an EF1 rating through much of Heard county and into Coweta county. A little over four miles of the tornado path was within southeast Heard county, while the entire path length of this tornado was on the order of 17 miles. The maximum path width was determined to be 100 yards with maximum winds of 90 mph. Much of the structural damage associated with this tornado occurred within Heard county, especially in an around the city of Corinth in the far southeast corner of the county. A hauling and horse trailer were damaged as they were thrown about 20 feet from their original location. Three homes and/or businesses were destroyed, two others suffered major damage, and an additional 10 others sustained minor damage. One home lost two exterior walls and its roof. Thousands of trees were uprooted along the path of the tornado. There was one injury, but no fatalities reported from this tornado within Heard county.

[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #8, County #2-3, EF1, Troup-Heard-Coweta, 2011:017].

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that the EF1 tornado, which first touched down in north central Troup county, tracked across far southeast Heard county, and then into Coweta county before lifting. The path length of this tornado within Coweta county was slightly over six miles, while the entire tornado path length was approximately 17 miles. The tornado paralleled Corinth Road as it tracked through southwest Coweta county, lifting near the intersection of Joe Brown Road and Corinth Road, approximately seven miles southwest of Newnan or five miles northwest of Grantville. Within Coweta county, damage was confined primarily to thousands of downed trees, and minor damage to outbuildings and fences. One home sustained major damage and one sustained minor damage. Otherwise, no significant structural damage was observed within Coweta county and there were no fatalities or injuries reported anywhere with this tornado.

[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #8, County #3-3, EF1, Troup-Heard-Coweta, 2011:017].

The Murray County 911 Center reported that more than six trees were down scattered about the county.

The Troup County Sheriff's Office observed golf ball-sized hail near West Point Lake and LaGrange.

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that a second tornado touched down in Troup county, approximately five miles south of LaGrange and then traveled approximately seven miles to the northeast before lifting six miles east of LaGrange. This tornado was an EF2, had a maximum path width of 1/4 mile, with maximum winds estimated to be 120 mph. The tornado did cross Interstate-185 east of LaGrange. Fifteen homes were destroyed along the path of the tornado and another 50 homes sustained minor to moderate damage. The most significant damage occurred along Georgia Highway 219 and Murphy Road near the beginning of the tornado's path, or about two miles south of the LaGrange city limits. About 12 homes were destroyed in this area. One home in this neighborhood was picked up and thrown 50 feet while its sun room was thrown 300 yards. A well built log cabin on a hillside was completely destroyed as it was blown off its foundation in the opposite direction of the tornado's movement. While no fatalities occurred admist all of this damage, there were six injuries resulting from debris and damaged homes. Thousands of trees and many power lines were also down along the path of the tornado.

A total of 41 residential or commercial structures in Troup county were either destroyed, suffered major damage, or sustained minor to moderate damage from the two tornadoes this evening.

It should be noted that the same thunderstorm that spawned this tornado continued on to spawn yet another tornado that tracked across northeast Meriwether into western Spalding and southern Henry county shortly after this event and then later spawned additional tornadoes in east central Georgia as the night continued.

[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #9, County #1-1, EF2, Troup, 2011:018].

Several reports were received from amateur radio operators of many trees and power lines down in Newnan and Senoia. Trees were down on Buddy West Road, Georgia Highway 16 and Georgia Highway 54, and Line Creek Road among others. Several houses in the southern part of the county suffered minor damage from these winds. This damage was outside the tornado in the southwest part of the county.

The Lumpkin County 911 Center reported that dozens of trees were blown down in the far northern part of the county from the Union county line east of Suches to the far northeast corner of the county along White county line.

Amateur radio operators relayed reports that several trees and power lines were down across the central portion of the county.

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that the tenth tornado of the April 27, 2011 outbreak in the Peachtree City, Georgia county warning area touched down in northeast Harris county in west central Georgia. This tornado, an EF2, touched down two miles northwest of Pine Mountain Valley and tracked a total of 24 miles across northeast Harris, southern Meriwether, and into northern Upson county before lifting about nine miles northwest of Thomaston. The tornado tracked a little over 7.5 miles with northeast Harris county. The tornado had a maximum path width of 3/4 mile in Harris county, decreasing to 1/2 mile in Meriwether and Upson counties. Maximum winds were estimated to be 130 mph. Significant damage was observed along most of the tornado path with numerous homes and barns destroyed. However, the most significant damage was located within the Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park in northeast Harris county. Up to 40 percent of the structures located within the campground of the park sustained moderate to major damage, including a large assembly structure. Thousands of trees were down, especially within the park. The extent of the tree damage limited access to many of the damaged areas. Fortunately, there were no injuries or fatalities reported with the tornado in Harris county.

Total damages within Harris county consisted of two structures with major damage and 13 with minor damage.

[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #10, County #1-3, EF2, Harris-Meriwether-Upson, 2011:019].

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that a second tornado touched down in northeast Meriwether county simultaneously while another EF2 tornado was tracking across the southern part of the county. Although this tornado was only EF2 strength during its small track across northeast Meriwether county, it strengthened to an EF3 rating shortly after entering Spalding county and continued at an EF3 rating until it just moved across the Henry county line near the ends of its track. The tornado touched down just south of Alvaton and just south of the intersection of Georgia Highways 74 and 362, then tracked northeast across western and northern Spalding county and into extreme southern Henry county before lifting. The tornado resulted in two deaths in western Spalding county near the town of Birdie. The tornado had a total path length of near 22 miles, with approximately 5.5 miles of this within northeast Meriwether county. The maximum path width was 1/2 mile with maximum winds estimated to be 140 mph. Damage in Meriwether county was confined primarily to several hundred downed trees, some power lines, and minor structural damage to outbuildings. There were no fatalities or injuries within Meriwether county from this tornado.

[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #11, County #1-3, EF3, Meriwether-Spalding-Henry, 2011:020].

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that the EF2 tornado that first touched down in northeast Harris county continued across southern Meriwether county before moving into Upson county where it finally lifted approximately nine miles northwest of Thomaston. The tornado crossed into Meriwether county about four miles southwest of Warm Springs and moved into Upson county just under five miles southeast of Woodbury. The tornado traveled almost 13 miles through Meriwether county. The maximum path width diminished to 1/2 mile with the maximum winds estimated to still be 130 mph. Thousands of trees were destroyed along the path of the tornado. Several homes, barns, and outbuildings also suffered damage along the path of the tornado. There were no fatalities or injuries with this tornado in Meriwether county.

The two tornadoes within Meriwether county resulted in 35 destroyed homes and/or businesses, 21 structures with major damage, and 15 other structures with minor damage for a total of 71 affected structures.

[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #10, County #2-3, EF2, Harris-Meriwether-Upson, 2011:019].

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that the EF3 tornado that first touched down in northeast Meriwether county around 1155 pm EDT continued into western Spalding county. The tornado entered Spalding county approximately three miles south of Digbey, then continued northeast across the communities of Vaughn, Birdie, and Sunny Side before moving into southern Henry county and then lifting just across the Henry county line, approximately two miles south of Hampton. Approximately 15.6 miles of the near 20-mile long path of this EF3 tornado were within Spalding county. The total path length of the tornado within Spalding county was approximately 15.6 miles. The path width remained at 1/2 mile wide with maximum winds estimated to be 140 mph. Two fatalities were recorded in Spalding county in the southwest part of the county, southwest of Vaughn, as a result of this tornado. These deaths occurred when a mobile home was overturned and destroyed. Within Spalding county there were 400 structures affected including 45 homes and/or businesses destroyed, 280 with major damage, and 75 with minor damage. Thousands of trees and dozens of power lines were down along the entire path of the tornado. The tornado crossed both Georgia Highway 16, Georgia Highway 92, and U.S. Highway 19/41 on its path across the county. Along Georgia Highway 92, just one mile east of the Flint River and the Fayette county line, trees were completely flattened within a 1/4 mile wide area on both sides of the road. Several commercial businesses were destroyed at the intersection of U.S. Highway 19/41 and School Road, just south of the Henry county line.

[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #11, County #2-3, EF3, Meriwether-Spalding-Henry, 2011:020].

A survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that the EF2 tornado that first touched down in northeast Harris county around 1155 pm EDT continued across southern Meriwether and into far northwest Upson county before finally lifting approximately nine miles northwest of Thomaston. The tornado had a path length of just over four miles within Upson county, while the total tornado path length was on the order of 24 miles. The maximum path width was 880 yards or less at this point with maximum winds estimated to be 130 mph. Within Upson county, the tornado traveled through a mostly rural forested area and as such structural damage was minimal. However, two structures were destroyed, four suffered major damage, and 6 others sustained minor damage. Thousands of trees were damaged or destroyed, along with several power lines. Some outbuildings were also damaged or destroyed. There were no fatalities or injuries reported from this tornado along its path, including Upson county. It should be noted, however, that this same thunderstorm spawned yet another tornado in Lamar county upstream that killed two people.

[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #10, County #3-3, EF2, Harris-Meriwether-Upson, 2011:019].

The White County 911 Center reported that from 50 to 60 trees were down across the central and northern part of the county, especially along Georgia Highway 75 and toward the mountainous northern part of the county.

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that the tornado, which originally touched down in northeast Meriwether county as an EF2 and then continued across western Spalding county as an EF3, moved into Henry county before lifting just across the Spalding/Henry county line, approximately 1/2 mile into the county or about two miles south of Hampton. The tornado briefly maintained its EF3 intensity as it entered Henry county. Only minor damage was observed within Henry county, mainly downed trees, power lines, and minor structural damage to a few buildings and trees, mainly along Hall View, Pamona, and Hedgewood Drive.

[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #11, County #3-3, EF3, Meriwether-Spalding-Henry, 2011:020].

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that yet another tornado had touched down in the far southeast corner of Pike county and traveled 30 miles across Lamar, Monroe, and into extreme southern Butts county before finally lifting. The tornado began as an EF1 in Pike county before strengthening into an EF3 as it moved across Lamar county, then weakened back to an EF2 as it moved across Monroe and finally an EF0 as it briefly crossed into extreme southeast Butts county. This tornado was spawned by the same supercell thunderstorm that generated the EF2 tornado across Harris, Meriwether, and Upson counties earlier. The tornado touched down in Pike county on U.S. Highway 19 approximately three miles south of Meansville. The tornado tracked through a mostly rural area of Pike county and as such damage was confined primarily to a number of downed trees and several power lines. There were no fatalities or injuries within Pike county from this tornado.

[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #12, County #1-4, EF3, Pike-Lamar-Monroe-Butts, 2011:021].

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that the EF3 tornado that first touched down in far southeast Pike county, approximately three miles southeast of Meansville, quickly moved into Lamar county and traveled northeast across the entire distance of Lamar county from just northwest of Piedmont, through the north side of Barnesville, then moving into and across northern Monroe county before finally moving into far southern Butts county and then lifting. The tornado traveled on the ground slightly over 15 miles within Lamar county. The total tornado path length was around 30 miles. The maximum path width of the tornado was 0.6 mile with maximum winds estimated to be 140 mph. Damage from this tornado in Lamar county was extensive, especially in the Barnesville area. Three homes along Piedmont Road, approximately three miles west of Barnesville, were completely destroyed by this tornado. Some homes in Barnesville were also destroyed while many others suffered minor to moderate damage. Two fatalities occurred at a home on Grove Street in Barnesville, which was destroyed. A Chervron Gas Station and a church in Barnesville were also destroyed. There were an additional 12 injuries suffered from damaged homes and property along the tornado's path, mostly in and around Barnesville.

Damage within Lamar county consists of 25 destroyed homes, 20 with major damage, and 40 with minor damage for a total of 85 affected structures.

[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #12, County #2-4, EF3, Pike-Lamar-Monroe-Butts, 2011:021].

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City confirmed that the tornado, which originally touched down in far southeast Pike county and continued moving northeast across Lamar county, causing extensive damage and two fatalities there, continued across northern Monroe county before finally moving into extreme southeast Butts county and lifting. The tornado weakened from an EF3 in Lamar county to an EF2 as it crossed northern Monroe county, then to an EF0 as it briefly crossed into Butts county. Within Monroe county the tornado path length was just over 11 miles. The maximum path width continued at 0.6 mile with maximum winds at 140 mph. Just after the tornado crossed into Monroe county, it crossed Interstate-75 near mile marker 196, where three 18-wheel tractor-trailers were blown off the interstate. Several homes suffered minor to moderate damage. A total of four homes were destroyed, 19 others suffered major damage, with 25 sustaining minor damage. Most of the damage homes were near High Falls State Park and Blount. While there were no fatalities within Monroe county from this tornado, 10 injuries were reported from the damaged and destroyed homes.

[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #12, County #3-4, EF3, Pike-Lamar-Monroe-Butts, 2011:021].

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that an EF1 tornado touched down in far southeast Newton county, approximately one mile west of the city of Newborn, then tracked across Morgan county before moving into western Greene county and finally lifting approximately six miles west of Greensboro. The tornado had a total path length near 25 miles, of which roughly two miles occurred within Newton county. |The maximum path width was determined to be 1/2 mile with maximum winds estimated to be 105 mph. One home was destroyed, five others suffered major damage, and 10 others sustained minor damage as a result of the tornado. Hundreds of trees were also damaged or destroyed by the tornado. Most of the damage was in or around the city of Newborn. There were no fatalities or injuries within Newton county from this tornado.

[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #13, County #1-3, EF1, Newton-Morgan-Greene, 2011:022].

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that the EF1 tornado that originally touched down in southeast Newton county tracked across central Morgan county before finally moving into western Greene county, where the tornado finally lifted approximately six miles west of Greensboro. The total path length of the tornado was 25 miles, of which nearly 20 miles fell within Morgan county. The maximum path width was 1/2 mile with maximum winds estimated to be 105 mph. Indeed, the majority of the damage associated with this tornado occurred within Morgan county. Several dozen homes were heavily damaged, many around Madison, largely from fallen or uprooted trees. A shopping center in Madison also lots part of its roof from the tornado. Several mobile homes sustained moderate to major damage, including three that were flipped over. All-in-all, 18 homes and/or businesses were destroyed, 37 suffered major damage, and another 128 sustained minor damage resulting in a total of 183 affected structures. Thousands of trees were destroyed along the path of the tornado. There were no fatalities or injuries associated with this tornado in Morgan county.

[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #13, County #2-3, EF1, Newton-Morgan-Greene, 2011:022].

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that the tornado, which originated in southeast Pike county, strengthened to an EF3 and tracked across central Lamar resulting in extensive structural damage and two fatalities, then into northern Monroe county as an EF2, also causing extensive structural damage, weakened to an EF0 and briefly moved into extreme southeast Butts county before finally lifting. The tornado was in Butts county only about 1/2 mile. Damage within Butts county was confined to several downed trees in the area. One structure within Butts county suffered major damage along this final segment of the tornado's path.

[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #12, County #4-4, EF3, Pike-Lamar-Monroe-Butts, 2011:021].

A storm survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that then EF1 tornado that first touched down in far southeast Newton county and continued across central Morgan county, moved into western Greene county before finally lifting approximately six miles west of Greensboro. While the total tornado path length was 25 miles, approximately 3.5 miles of this was within Greene county. The path width was determined to be 1/2 mile with maximum winds estimated to be 105 mph. Damage within Greene county was mostly confined to hundreds of trees, with minor structural damage, especially around Greshamville. One home was destroyed and one suffered major damage. Six other homes sustained minor damage.

[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #13, County #3-3, EF1, Newton-Morgan-Greene, 2011:022].

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that yet another EF1 tornado had touched down in east central Georgia. This was a weak EF1 tornado that touched down in southeast Putnam county near the town of Flat Rock and traveled northeast into western Hancock county before lifting. The tornado weakened to an EF0 strength as it moved into Hancock county and lifted approximately six miles northwest of Devereux. The total path length of the tornado was determined to be seven miles, of which slightly less than four miles fell within Putnam county. The maximum path width was determined to be 200 yards with maximum winds estimated to be 90 mph. Much of the path of the tornado was across Lake Sinclair. There were essentially two segments of the tornado path, but both segments were within two miles of each other. Thus, this has been considered as one tornado path. Four homes were heavily damaged or destroyed near the lake and the eastern border of Putnam county, mostly from uprooted large trees down on the structures. A nearby outbuilding had its roof completely lifted off. Dozens of trees were snapped or uprooted along the path of the tornado. Several power lines were also down as well.

[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #14, County #1-2, EF1, Putnam-Hancock, 2011:023].

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that the EF1 tornado that first touched down in southeast Putnam county tracked into western Hancock county before lifting. As it moved into Hancock county, it weakened to an EF0 strength. The total tornado path length was about seven miles, of which approximately three miles fell within Hancock county. The maximum path width was 200 yards with maximum winds estimated to be 90 mph. Much of the tornado path was across Lake Sinclair, and as such damage was minimal. Damage within Hancock county was mostly confined to dozens of snapped or uprooted trees and several downed power lines. Some minor structural damage was reported to homes along the lake. There were no fatalities or injuries reported anywhere with this tornado.

[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #14, County #2-2, EF1, Putnam-Hancock, 2011:023].

The Putnam county 911 center observed nickel to quarter-sized hail in Eatonton outside the County 911 Building. WSR-88D radar data suggests that similar-sized hail likely fell across much of the county from the southwest corner to the northeast corner.

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that the final tornado to touch down within the county warning area of the April 27th and April 28th outbreak was in Warren county. This was yet again another EF1 tornado. The tornado touched down four miles southwest of Norwood and tracked nearly eight miles on an east-northeastward path across northern Warren county lifting one mile northeast of Camak. The maximum path width was determined to be 1/4 mile with maximum winds estimated to be 105 mph. Eight homes sustained moderate to major damage along the path of the tornado, mostly from large fallen trees on the structures. Hundreds of trees and several power lines were down along the path of the tornado. There were no fatalities or injuries with the final tornado of this historical outbreak.

[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #15, County #1-1, EF1, Warren, 2011:024].

The Putnam County Emergency Management Director reported that a small drainage branch washed out a small portion of Little River Trail near Lake Sinclair. Another small drainage branch washed out a small portion of Martin Luther King Road near Eatonton. Rainfall of three to four inches was common across much of the county between 2 am and 5 am EDT on this day. Damages were to fixed washed out roads and culverts and remove debris.