Hail and Damaging Winds in Georgia, June 18, 2011

The Dade County Emergency Management Director and amateur radio operators reported extensive and widespread wind damage across the northern half of Dade county from an apparent microburst or widespread area of damaging thunderstorm outflow boundary winds. The most extensive damage was noted in the 9000 block of Scenic Highway, northeast of Trenton. The most significant damage extended from West Brow to Burkhalter Gap where hundreds of trees were either blown over or uprooted and dozens of power lines were also blown down or affected by downed trees. Portions of Lookout Mountain Scenic Highway were blocked from dozen of large downed trees. Two homes in West Brow completely lost their roofs as they were lifted off the structures. In the 9000 block of Scenic Highway, the roof of one home was blown downstream several hundred feet and wrapped around adjacent trees. The deck of the home was completely lifted off its foundation and turned on its side. A nearby chicken farm also sustained damage, including the loss of a number of poultry. The other home was located in the 8000 block of Scenic Highway and was completely destroyed when its roof was lifted off the structure and thrown across the road. One of the downed trees on Scenic Highway landed on a vehicle, but no injuries were reported from this incident. There were also a number of trees down in the northwest part of the county as well. Several trees were down on Interstate-59, northwest of Trenton. Widespread power outages were noted across the northern part of the county.

The public reported that more than a dozen trees were down across the northern part of the county, especially just north of Chickamauga in northeast Walker county. One tree was down on a car.

The public observed penny-sized hail north of Chickamauga. WSR-88D radar data suggests that similar-size hail likely occurred across much of the northern part of Walker county.

A CoCoRaHS observer reported penny-sized hail near Jones Mill and Colwell.

The public reported that at least six trees were down in the county, especially in the Wood Station area in the southern part of the county. WSR-88D base velocity data suggests that the strong thunderstorm outflow winds that caused extensive damage in Dade and Walker counties likely continued in a diminished fashion into Catoosa county.

Amateur radio operators and the public reported that hundreds of trees were down across the county from west of Rocky Face to Dalton. Wind gusts were estimated at 65 to 70 mph. At least 40 homes across the county sustained minor to moderate damage from fallen trees. Four homes in Dalton and two homes in Rocky Face suffered extensive damage from trees which fell on the structures. Multiple trees and several power lines were down on Cleveland Highway north of Dalton. A number of power lines were down throughout the city of Dalton.

The public and the Murray County 911 Center reported that dozens of trees and power lines were down across the county.

The public observed half-dollar-sized hail near Ramhurst.

The Fannin County 911 Center reported that at least six trees and several power lines were down around Epworth in the western part of the county.

The Gilmer County 911 Center reported that more than a dozen trees were down throughout the county, including the Ellijay area.

A meteorologist with Georgia Public Television reported penny-sized hail in north Fulton county near Roswell.

The Pickens County Emergency Management Director widespread and extensive tree damage across the county with dozens of trees were down throughout the county. Several structures were damaged from downed trees and several roads were blocked.

The Walton County 911 Center relayed a report of golf ball-sized hail from Herndonville and the public observed nickel-sized hail a little further east in Ebenezer.

The Floyd County Emergency Management Director reported that a tree limb fell and hit a 19-year old female during strong thunderstorm wind gusts at an outdoor event in Rome. The individual was taken to the hospital and released with minor injuries.

The Dawson County 911 Center reported that up to 50 trees were down across the county.

The Cherokee County Emergency Management Director reported widespread and extensive damage to trees throughout the county. No specific damage to structures or vehicles was noted, however.

The Paulding County 911 Center reported widespread damage to trees across the county. Dozens of trees were down across the county.

The Forsyth County Emergency Management Director reported that several trees were down. Up to four homes sustained minor to moderate damage from downed trees. Several power lines were down. Some roads were temporarily blocked from downed trees and power lines.

The Gwinnett County Emergency Management Director reported that lightning struck a home in the 2500 block of Cobble Creek Lane in Grayson. The structure suffered extensive fire, smoke, and water damage.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that a number of trees and power lines were down throughout Hall county. The Hall County Emergency Management Director reported damage to a traffic signal and billboard in the far southern part of the county near the Gwinnett county line, just east of Rest Haven. In addition, there was damage at the Road Atlanta Lanier Speedway in the far southeast portion of the county. Several canopies were blown over and damaged some of the race cars being used during a Saturday evening racing event. A flag in the infield was ripped from the top of the pole. Several trees and large tree limbs were also down in the woods surrounding the track and strewn about the grounds of the facility.

The Atlanta Journal-Contstituation and the Cobb County 911 Center reported that dozens of trees were down throughout the county. A 55-year old Marietta woman was killed instantly when a large tree fell on her vehicle while traveling along Powers Ferry Road. Many power outages were noted around the county for up to four hours in some areas.

The public observed quarter-sized hail near and just south of Smyrna.

The public observed penny-sized hail.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that several trees and power lines were down across the county. The Gwinnett County 911 Center reported that several power lines were down in the Buford area. Several roads were either blocked or at least partially blocked, including East Shadburn Ferry in Buford, South Berkeley Lake Road in Duluth, and Highpoint Road Southwest near U.S. Highway 78 in Snellville.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that multiple structure fires were responded to by fire crews on Zoey Lee Drive Southwest off Temple Johnson Road in Rosebud. The extent of the damages was not provided.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that a good number of trees and power lines were down throughout Fulton county. Some roads were blocked from downed trees and power lines. A woman had to be rescued from her vehicle when a tree fell on it at the intersection of Grandview and Pharr Road in Buckhead. Several other vehicles were also damaged during this accident. The woman was not injured.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that several trees and power lines were down throughout the county.

Severe reports of quarter-sized hail were received from the public from just southwest of Monroe to south and southeast of Monroe, near Herndonville, Ebenezer, and Pannell.

The Walton County 911 Center reported that four trees were down in the vicinity of Monroe.

The public reported that there was considerable wind damage within the city of Commerce in the northeast part of the county. Several trees were blown down across the city. A large billboard sign was blown down as the pole was snapped in half and splintered.

The Gwinnett County Emergency Management Director reported that a home on Stewart Ridge Walk, NE in Buford was struck by lightning. Although there was a strong smell of smoke, no fire occurred. It appeared that lightning had affected some of the electrical components of the home with no fire. Monetary damage was minimal and related to electrical equipment.

The Barrow County 911 Center reported that at least 11 trees were down in the vicinity of County Line in the northwest and north central part of the county.

The Oconee County 911 Center reported that at least six trees were down from Watkinsville to east of Bishop.

The Clarke County Emergency Management Director reported that at least four trees and over six power lines were down in the Athens area. Much of the city of Athens was left without power for several hours following the damaging thunderstorm winds.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that lightning ignited a fire at a residence in Athens located on Ashbrook Drive. Specific details regarding damages were not provided.

The Oglethorpe County 911 Center reported that at least six trees were down in the county, mainly in the Lexington and Crawford areas.