Georgia, 2013

Tornadoes and Hail in Georgia, January 30, 2013

January 30, 2013 · NWS FFC · 45 events in 36 counties and zones

A very large storm system approached the state on the 30th. A highly amplified upper trough over the plains pushed east during the day, dragging a strong cold front through the Southeast.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
1
Injuries
18
Property damage
$75 million
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
45

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS FFC wrote it up.

A very large storm system approached the state on the 30th. A highly amplified upper trough over the plains pushed east during the day, dragging a strong cold front through the Southeast. A squall line associated with the cold front pushed into northwest and west central Georgia during the mid-morning hours, and pushed through the rest of the state through the afternoon and evening. Widespread wind damage occurred with this line as it moved through. Additionally, a supercell thunderstorm ahead of the line spawned two tornadoes; a rare January EF-3 across Bartow and Gordon Counties and an EF-1 across Gilmer and Fannin Counties.

What forecasters said that day

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 Jan 30, 6:47 AM EST, 1 hour 18 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 30, 6:47 AM EST, 1 hour 18 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
647 AM EST WED JAN 30 2013

.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 621 AM EST WED JAN 30 2013/

UPDATE...
SECOND UPDATE TO INCLUDE EXPANDED TORNADO WATCH 17 AREA IN THE
FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES SECTION BELOW.

BELANGER

PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 410 AM EST WED JAN 30 2013/

SHORT TERM /TODAY THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/...
PRIMARY CONCERN IS THREAT AND TIMING OF SEVERE CONVECTION THIS
AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING. VERY IMPRESSIVE STORM SYSTEM
APPROACHING THE STATE THIS MORNING. WHILE FAVORABLE SIG TOR
PARAMETER VALUES CURRENTLY CONFINED TO AREA CLOSER TO THE COAST
BASED ON RAP ANALYSES...HAVE SEEN A FEW REPORTS OF WIND DAMAGE
FURTHER NORTH OVER WRN TN AND NRN MS IN LOW CAPE AREAS. IF MODELS
ARE TO BE BELIEVED...PARAMETERS SHOULD BE MORE FAVORABLE HERE THAN
WHAT IS CURRENTLY SHOWN TO THE WEST. 00Z MODELS HAVE SLOWED TIMING
OF MAIN LINE OF TSRA SOMEWHAT WITH NAM SLOWEST. 06Z NAM ALSO
CONTINUING SLOWER TREND. LINE SHOULD MOVE INTO NW CORNER OF CWA
AROUND 10AM... I-85 BY 3PM AND AHN-MCN-AMERICUS LINE BY 7PM AND
EXITING SE CORNER OF CWA AROUND 10PM. INGREDIENTS STILL APPEAR
SUFFICIENT FOR AT LEAST ISOLD AREAS OF WIND DMG OR BRIEF TORNADOES.
AS OFTEN THE CASE...06Z NAM MLCAPE SHOWING MORE INSTABILITY THAN
OTHER MODELS WITH VALUES AROUND 400-700 J/KG. 00Z GFS HAS 200-400
J/KG OVER ALL BUT NE GA. VERTICAL WIND SHEAR WILL BE VERY STRONG.
0-1KM BULK SHEAR 40-50KTS SEEN ON GFS AND NAM. FAVORABLE CIN...LCL
AND DEEP LAYER SHEAR YIELDING DECENT SIG TOR PARAMETER VALUES...
1-2 WITH GFS AND 2-5 ON NAM. THIS VALUES ARE HIGHER THAN PREV SVR
EVENT ON DEC 26 WHEN WE SAW 3 WEAK TORNADOES IN MIDDLE GA.

WINDS STILL SHOULD KEEP MOST OF AREA IN ADV CRITERIA TODAY AND THIS
EVENING. HAVE EXTENDED WIND ADV TIL MIDNIGHT. HIGH WIND WARNING
CRITERIA NOT QUITE BEING MET IN LATEST MODEL GRIDS...BUT VERY CLOSE.
WITH WET SOILS DEVELOPING QUICKLY THIS AFTERNOON...HAVE CONTINUED
WIND WARNING THRU 6PM...AFTER WHICH TIME LLJ WILL SHIFT EAST OF THE
NE GA MOUNTAINS.

HEAVY RAIN WILL ALSO BE SIGNIFICANT THREAT. AGREE WITH LATEST HPC
GUIDANCE WHICH HAS BUMPED UP EVENT TOTAL PRECIP TO 1 TO 2 INCHES
WITH SOME AREAS OF NE GA APPROACHING 2.5 INCHES...DUE TO SLOWER
TIMING AND PROGRESSION OF TSRA. SFC DEWPOINTS HAVE BEEN HIGHER THAN
FCST LAST SEVERAL HOURS AS WELL. BASED ON LATEST GRIDDED FFG AND
QPF...HAVE EXPANDED FLOOD WATCH SOUTH TO AREAS NORTH OF A FRANKLIN
TO ROSWELL TO CLEVELAND LINE.

FINALLY...ANOTHER LOW AMPLITUDE SHORT WAVE PROGGED TO MOVE ALONG
LONG WAVE TROUGH OVER TN VALLEY THURS NIGHT. WITH COLD AIR IN
PLACE...ESP ALOFT...COULD SEE SOME FLURRIES OR VERY LIGHT SNOW
SHOWERS. NO IMPACTS EXPECTED.

SNELSON

LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
EXTENDED MODELS IN FAIRLY GOOD AGREEMENT THROUGH THE LONG
TERM...WITH LONG WAVE UPPER-LEVEL TROUGH SITUATED OVER THE EASTERN
U.S. THOUGH EARLY NEXT WEEK. GENERALLY...NORTHWEST FLOW WILL
PERSIST OVER THE REGION...AND MODELS CONTINUE TO ADVERTISE A
SERIES OF UPPER LEVEL SHORT WAVES IMPACTING THE AREA AS A RESULT.
THE FIRST DISTURBANCE OCCURS AT THE TAIL END OF THE SHORT TERM
PERIODS...AND WHAT MOISTURE QUICKLY DISSIPATES INTO THE LONG TERM
EARLY FRIDAY.

THE SECOND DISTURBANCE LOOKS TO APPROACH THE AREA LATE SATURDAY
AND REMAIN ACROSS FAR NORTH GEORGIA EARLY SUNDAY...WITH SLIGHTLY
MORE MOISTURE AVAILABLE THAN THE PREVIOUS SHORTWAVE. FOR
NOW...WITH THE LATEST MODEL TIMING FOR THIS SYSTEM...LOOKS LIKE IT
WILL PRIMARILY BE RAIN...WITH SOME POSSIBILITY OF A RAIN-SNOW MIX
INTO SUNDAY MORNING. HAVE GENERALLY GONE WITH SLIGHT CHANCE
POPS...AND HAVE KEPT NO ACCUMULATIONS FOR NORTH GEORGIA.

HAVE SCALED BACK POPS SLIGHTLY FOR THE THIRD SHORT WAVE EXPECTED
MONDAY NIGHT INTO TUESDAY. LATEST MODEL RUNS ARE LESS ENTHUSIASTIC
WITH THE FRONTAL SUPPORT...AND THEREFORE LESS AGGRESSIVE WITH
MOISTURE AND PRECIP POTENTIAL. HAVE CONTINUED WITH SLIGHT CHANCE
POPS MONDAY NIGHT AND TUESDAY...AND QUICKLY DROP POPS OFF INTO
TUESDAY NIGHT.

BELANGER

FIRE WEATHER...
AS DRY AIR PLUNGES IN BEHIND FRONT...HUMIDITY PROGGED TO DROP TO 22
TO 25 PCT FOR A FEW HOURS THURS AFTERNOON OVER MIDDLE GA. WITH 1 TO
2 INCHES OF RAIN EXPECTED TODAY...FUELS ARE EXPECTED TO BE TOO WET
TO REQUIRE ANY FIRE DANGER STATEMENTS.

SNELSON

&&

.AVIATION...
12Z UPDATE...
STILL MONITORING LINE OF STRONG TSRA THAT WILL MOVE ACROSS THE
STATE TODAY AND THIS EVENING. TIMING HAS SHIFTED SLIGHTLY AND NOW
APPEARS TSRA WILL AFFECT ATL METRO 19Z-23Z. EXPECT STRONG
CROSSWIND AT E-W RUNWAY AIRPORTS TODAY...GUSTS COULD APPROACH
32KTS AT KATL. CIGS SHOULD STAY RIGHT NEAR IFR THRESHOLD AT KATL
AND REMAIN JUST ABOVE IFR ELSEWHERE. EXPECT END TO CIGS AND PRECIP
AROUND 23-00Z. STRONG WEST WINDS WILL CONTINUE OVERNIGHT AND
THURS.

//ATL CONFIDENCE...12Z UPDATE...
MEDIUM CONFIDENCE ON IFR CIGS THIS MORNING.
HIGH CONFIDENCE ON ALL OTHER ELEMENTS.

SNELSON

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
ATHENS          71  38  50  33 / 100 100   5   5
ATLANTA         67  35  49  33 / 100  60   5   5
BLAIRSVILLE     61  32  43  27 / 100  60   5  20
CARTERSVILLE    67  34  47  31 / 100  40   5  10
COLUMBUS        72  38  56  39 / 100  70   5   5
GAINESVILLE     63  35  47  32 / 100  70   5  10
MACON           73  39  55  33 /  90 100   5   5
ROME            68  33  48  31 / 100  40   5  10
PEACHTREE CITY  68  36  51  32 / 100  60   5   5
VIDALIA         80  46  59  36 /  70  90   0   5

&&

.FFC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WIND ADVISORY UNTIL MIDNIGHT EST TONIGHT FOR THE FOLLOWING
ZONES: BALDWIN...BANKS...BARROW...BARTOW...BIBB...BLECKLEY...
BUTTS...CARROLL...CATOOSA...CHATTAHOOCHEE...CHATTOOGA...
CHEROKEE...CLARKE...CLAYTON...COBB...COWETA...CRAWFORD...CRISP...
DADE...DEKALB...DODGE...DOOLY...DOUGLAS...EMANUEL...FAYETTE...
FLOYD...FORSYTH...GLASCOCK...GORDON...GREENE...GWINNETT...HALL...
HANCOCK...HARALSON...HARRIS...HEARD...HENRY...HOUSTON...
JACKSON...JASPER...JEFFERSON...JOHNSON...JONES...LAMAR...
LAURENS...MACON...MADISON...MARION...MERIWETHER...MONROE...
MONTGOMERY...MORGAN...MUSCOGEE...NEWTON...NORTH FULTON...
OCONEE...OGLETHORPE...PAULDING...PEACH...PIKE...POLK...PULASKI...
PUTNAM...ROCKDALE...SCHLEY...SOUTH FULTON...SPALDING...STEWART...
SUMTER...TALBOT...TALIAFERRO...TAYLOR...TELFAIR...TOOMBS...
TREUTLEN...TROUP...TWIGGS...UPSON...WALKER...WALTON...WARREN...
WASHINGTON...WEBSTER...WHEELER...WHITFIELD...WILCOX...WILKES...
WILKINSON.

HIGH WIND WARNING UNTIL 6 PM EST THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING
ZONES: DAWSON...FANNIN...GILMER...LUMPKIN...MURRAY...PICKENS...
TOWNS...UNION...WHITE.

FLOOD WATCH THROUGH THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING ZONES:
BARTOW...CATOOSA...CHATTOOGA...CHEROKEE...COBB...DADE...DAWSON...
FANNIN...FLOYD...FORSYTH...GILMER...GORDON...HARALSON...
LUMPKIN...MURRAY...NORTH FULTON...PAULDING...PICKENS...POLK...
TOWNS...UNION...WALKER...WHITE...WHITFIELD.

WIND ADVISORY FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO MIDNIGHT EST TONIGHT FOR
THE FOLLOWING ZONES: DAWSON...FANNIN...GILMER...LUMPKIN...
MURRAY...PICKENS...TOWNS...UNION...WHITE.

TORNADO WATCH UNTIL 1 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON FOR THE FOLLOWING
ZONES: BARTOW...CARROLL...CATOOSA...CHATTOOGA...DADE...FLOYD...
GORDON...HARALSON...HEARD...MURRAY...PAULDING...POLK...WALKER...
WHITFIELD.

&&

SHORT TERM...SNELSON
LONG TERM....31
AVIATION...SNELSON
Hazardous weather outlook, Jan 30, 4:58 AM EST, 3 hours 7 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEACHTREE CITY GA
458 AM EST WED JAN 30 2013

GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086-
089>098-102>113-311000-
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-
458 AM EST WED JAN 30 2013

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT...

...SQUALL LINE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING WIDESPREAD DAMAGING WINDS AND
ISOLATED TORNADOES EXPECTED ON WEDNESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

A STRONG UPPER-LEVEL TROUGH AND ITS ASSOCIATED SURFACE COLD FRONT
WILL PUSH THROUGH THE STATE TODAY. THE SQUALL LINE IS EXPECTED TO
PRODUCE STRONG...DAMAGING WINDS...ISOLATED TORNADOES AND FREQUENT
CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING. ANY TORNADOES WILL LIKELY BE BRIEF...WITH
LITTLE NOTICE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO STAY AWARE TODAY. THE LINE OF
STORMS IS EXPECTED TO PUSH INTO NORTHWEST GEORGIA THIS
MORNING...TRACK THROUGH THE ATL METRO AREA BY MID AFTERNOON...AND
ALONG AN ATHENS TO MACON TO AMERICUS LINE BY EARLY EVENING.

THE LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS WILL PRODUCE HEAVY RAIN...RESULTING IN
WIDESPREAD 1.5 TO 2 INCHES OR MORE ACROSS MUCH OF NORTH AND
PORTIONS OF CENTRAL GEORGIA. LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS CAN BE
EXPECTED. THIS AMOUNT OF RAINFALL WILL SATURATE THE SOILS AND
PRODUCE RUNOFF THAT WILL RESULT IN RAPID RISES OF SMALL CREEKS AND
STREAMS...AND COULD CAUSE FLOODING OF LOW LYING AND FLOOD PRONE
AREAS. A FLOOD WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR MUCH OF NORTH GEORGIA
THROUGH MIDNIGHT.

IN ADDITION TO THE LINE OF CONVECTION...STRONG WINDS ARE EXPECTED
TO DEVELOP AHEAD OF IT OVER THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS OF NORTHEAST
GEORGIA. WITH SOUTHWESTERLY WINDS EXPECTED TO STRENGTHEN TO
BETWEEN 30 AND 40 MPH WITH GUSTS AS HIGH AS 50 MPH...A HIGH WIND
WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTHEAST GEORGIA
THROUGH EARLY EVENING. IN ADDITION...A WIND ADVISORY HAS BEEN
ISSUED FOR TODAY THROUGH MIDNIGHT FOR THE REST OF NORTH AND
CENTRAL GEORGIA.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY...

.DISCUSSION...
A SERIES OF WEAK DISTURBANCES WILL MOVE ACROSS THE TENNESSEE
VALLEY EARLY FRIDAY AND EARLY SUNDAY. THE COMBINATION OF MOISTURE
AND COLD TEMPERATURES FOR BOTH THESE EVENTS WILL SUPPORT SNOW
FLURRIES OR A MIX OF LIGHT RAIN AND SNOW. ACROSS NORTH GEORGIA. NO
ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. ANOTHER SHORTWAVE IS
EXPECTED TO MOVE INTO THE REGION TUESDAY...THOUGH ONLY SHOWERS ARE
EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS REQUESTED AND SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO
SUBMIT REPORTS OF SEVERE WEATHER THROUGH THE WEB BY GOING TO
WEATHER.GOV/ATLANTA.

The radar

The Atlanta radar (KFFC), 63 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 13:02 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

40 thunderstorm wind, 4 tornado, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Heard

When
January 30, 8:05 AM EST to 8:10 AM EST
Where
Heard County, 0.9 mi NW of Frolona to 1.86 mi WNW of Glenloch
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
33.330, -85.240

The Heard County Emergency Manager reported that a couple of trees were blown down in the Frolona area, and several trees were blown down from near the Simpson area to east of Highway 27 near the Heard/Carroll County line.

Thunderstorm Wind, Coweta

When
January 30, 8:15 AM EST to 8:20 AM EST
Where
Coweta County, 3.63 mi ESE of Handy to 1.89 mi NNW of Dresden
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
33.351, -84.918

The Coweta County Emergency Manager reported that several trees were blown down, many blocking roads, across the northwest portion of the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Carroll

When
January 30, 8:15 AM EST
Where
Carroll County, 0.9 mi NE of Whitesburg
Measured
45 kt (52 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$500
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
33.490, -84.910

The Carroll County Emergency Manager reported that a couple of trees were blown down in the Whitesburg area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Walker

When
January 30, 8:37 AM EST to 8:42 AM EST
Where
Walker County, 3.53 mi N of Lookout to 1.02 mi N of Hawkins
Measured
55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
34.670, -85.471

Several reports from the public indicated that numerous trees were blown down across the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Chattooga

When
January 30, 8:41 AM EST
Where
Chattooga County, Summerville
Measured
40 kt (46 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$250
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
34.480, -85.350

The public reported that a tree was blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dade

When
January 30, 9:10 AM EST to 9:15 AM EST
Where
Dade County, 1.33 mi WNW of Avans to 0.19 mi WNW of Trenton
Measured
45 kt (52 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
34.890, -85.550

The public reported that four trees were blown down across the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Chattooga

When
January 30, 9:25 AM EST
Where
Chattooga County, 0.69 mi S of Shackelton
Measured
45 kt (52 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
34.420, -85.270

The Chattooga County Emergency Manager reported that a tree and a couple of power lines were blown down on Ben Mosely Circle.

Thunderstorm Wind, Catoosa

When
January 30, 10:00 AM EST
Where
Catoosa County, 0.57 mi E of Ringgold
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
34.920, -85.110

The Catoosa County Emergency Manager reported that several trees were blown down in Ringgold.

Thunderstorm Wind, Floyd

When
January 30, 10:59 AM EST to 11:05 AM EST
Where
Floyd County, 0.57 mi E of Riverside to 0.69 mi N of Forrestville
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$50,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
34.280, -85.160

The Floyd County Emergency Manager reported that a tree was blown down onto power lines on Woodward street, and another fell on a house on Dogwood Street. One person was trapped in the Dogwood Street home but did not sustain any injuries.

Thunderstorm Wind, Floyd

When
January 30, 10:59 AM EST to 11:01 AM EST
Where
Floyd County, 2.86 mi E of Silver Creek
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
34.180, -85.120

The Floyd County Emergency Manager reported that several trees were blown down on Pleasant Valley Road.

Tornado, Bartow

When
January 30, 11:12 AM EST to 11:21 AM EST
Where
Bartow County, 2 mi S of Adairsville to 3.52 mi NE of Adairsville
Rating
EF3
Path length
5.06 mi
Path width
900 yd
Continued into
Gordon, Ga (FFC)
Deaths
1 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries
9 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage
$60 million
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
34.341, -84.953

A tornado touched down just southwest of Adairsville at approximately 1112 AM EST. The tornado strengthened to high-end EF-3 in Adairsville where dozens of homes were damaged or destroyed. At least 95 structures were damaged, with 31 destroyed, 17 sustaining major damage, and 47 with minor damage. Most of the damage to homes was a result of trees falling on homes in downtown Adairsville. The worst damage was along Highway 140 where a large portion of a manufacturing plant was destroyed. One fatality occurred when a tree fell on a mobile home. Over 100 cars were overturned near exit 306 on Interstate 75.|[01/30/13: Tornado #1, County #1-2, EF3, Bartow-Gordon, 2013:001].

Tornado, Gordon

When
January 30, 11:21 AM EST to 11:43 AM EST
Where
Gordon County, 3.45 mi S of Blackwood to 1.41 mi NNW of Petersburg
Rating
EF3
Path length
16.72 mi
Path width
900 yd
Injuries
8 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage
$15 million
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
34.400, -84.900

The tornado that first touched down in Bartow County continued into Gordon County. Numerous trees and power lines were downed from Redbud to Highway 53 and seven poultry homes were destroyed. In all, 268 homes were impacted: 30 were completely destroyed, 110 had major damage, and another 70 had minor damage. Of these, 202 were single family homes and 66 were mobile homes. Eight injuries were also reported which all occurred in one home. Some of the EF-3 damage in Gordon County occurred literally only blocks away from EF-3 damage that occurred on December 22, 2011.|[01/30/13: Tornado #1, County #2-2, EF3, Bartow-Gordon, 2013:001].

Thunderstorm Wind, Gilmer

When
January 30, 12:00 PM EST to 12:05 PM EST
Where
Gilmer County, 1 mi SW of Tails Creek to 1.79 mi SE of Conasauga
Measured
55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$30,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
34.670, -84.633

The Gilmer County Emergency Manager reported that numerous trees and power lines were blown down across the western portion of the county. Two structures were damaged by falling trees.

Tornado, Gilmer

When
January 30, 12:05 PM EST to 12:08 PM EST
Where
Gilmer County, 1.54 mi SE of Ai to 2.15 mi NNE of Burnett
Rating
EF1
Path length
3.13 mi
Path width
300 yd
Continued into
Fannin, Ga (FFC)
Property damage
$25,000
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
34.817, -84.428

An EF-1 tornado touched down off of Chapman Drive and snapped or uprooted hundreds of softwood and hardwood trees as it moved northeast. Eight power poles were snapped in the Bushyhead Road area. Up to 12,000 people were without power. Maximum wind speeds in Gilmer County were up to 90 MPH. The tornado then moved into Fannin County.|[01/30/13: Tornado #2, County #1-2, EF1, Gilmer-Fannin, 2013:002].

Tornado, Fannin

When
January 30, 12:08 PM EST to 12:15 PM EST
Where
Fannin County, 2.66 mi ENE of Higdon to 1.16 mi NNE of Hothouse
Rating
EF1
Path length
8.64 mi
Path width
900 yd
Injuries
1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage
$160,000
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
34.850, -84.390

The tornado that touched down in Gilmer County continued into Fannin County, moving northeast through the Sugar Creek area before lifting in the Hothouse Valley area. The tornado with maximum wind speeds of 90 MPH snapped or uprooted hundreds of trees. Up to 100 power poles were either snapped or damaged. Thirty structures were damaged mainly due to falling trees. While the maximum path width was about a half mile wide, the majority of the path was 300-400 yards wide.|[01/30/13: Tornado #2, County #2-2, EF1, Gilmer-Fannin, 2013:002].

Thunderstorm Wind, Cherokee

When
January 30, 12:50 PM EST
Where
Cherokee County, 3.17 mi ESE of Waleska
Measured
55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
34.300, -84.500

The Cherokee County Emergency Manager reported that numerous trees were blown down near Burris and Sardis Roads.

Thunderstorm Wind, Paulding

When
January 30, 12:51 PM EST
Where
Paulding County, 0.86 mi WNW of Dallas
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
33.924, -84.844

The Paulding County Emergency Manager reported that multiple trees and power lines were blown down in Dallas on West Memorial Drive.

Thunderstorm Wind, Heard

When
January 30, 1:00 PM EST to 1:05 PM EST
Where
Heard County, 0.9 mi SE of Hyatt
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
911 Call Center
Coordinates
33.320, -85.160

The Heard County 911 Center reported that several trees were blown down northwest of Franklin.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lumpkin

When
January 30, 1:35 PM EST
Where
Lumpkin County, Dahlonega
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
911 Call Center
Coordinates
34.530, -83.980

The Lumpkin County 911 Center reported 9 trees down in Dahlonega.

Thunderstorm Wind, Troup

When
January 30, 2:00 PM EST
Where
Troup County, 2.98 mi WNW of Lees Crossing
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
33.060, -85.100

The local news outlet out of LaGrange reported several trees and power lines down on the northwest side of the city.

Thunderstorm Wind, Towns

When
January 30, 2:00 PM EST to 2:05 PM EST
Where
Towns County, 0.24 mi W of Sunnyside to 1 mi NE of Visage
Measured
55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
Amateur Radio
Coordinates
34.931, -83.774

Ameteur radio operators relayed reports of trees down across most of Towns County, especially in the east side of the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Coweta

When
January 30, 2:05 PM EST to 2:10 PM EST
Where
Coweta County, 0.31 mi E of Sargent to 2.07 mi N of Dresden
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
911 Call Center
Coordinates
33.430, -84.865

The Coweta Couty 911 Center reported that multiple trees were blown down across the northern portion of the county.

Hail, Cobb

When
January 30, 2:07 PM EST
Where
Cobb County, 3.5 mi ESE of Noonday
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
34.060, -84.460

The public reported 1 inch hail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Forsyth

When
January 30, 2:20 PM EST
Where
Forsyth County, 0.9 mi NE of Cumming
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
34.210, -84.140

The Forsyth County Emergency Manager reported that several trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lumpkin

When
January 30, 2:30 PM EST to 2:33 PM EST
Where
Lumpkin County, 0.87 mi S of Chestatee to Garland
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
34.468, -83.968

The Lumpkin County Emergency Manager reported that several trees were blown down in the eastern portion of the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Gwinnett

When
January 30, 2:30 PM EST
Where
Gwinnett County, 0.9 mi NW of Lawrenceville
Measured
45 kt (52 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$50,000
Reported by
Amateur Radio
Coordinates
33.960, -83.990

Amateur radio relayed a report of a tree down on a house in Lawrenceville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Harris

When
January 30, 2:45 PM EST
Where
Harris County, Pine Mtn Vly
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
32.800, -84.820

The Harris County Emergency Manager reported that several trees were blown down in Pine Mountain.

Thunderstorm Wind, Forsyth

When
January 30, 3:00 PM EST
Where
Forsyth County, 0.88 mi E of Big Creek
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
34.119, -84.165

Local newspaper reported numerous trees down in the Sharon Road area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Coweta

When
January 30, 3:10 PM EST to 3:15 PM EST
Where
Coweta County, 0.79 mi SW of Newnan Coweta Co Arp to 1.45 mi E of Thomas Xrds
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
33.312, -84.780

The Coweta County 911 Center reported that numerous trees were blown down south and east of Newnan.

Thunderstorm Wind, Meriwether

When
January 30, 3:13 PM EST to 3:18 PM EST
Where
Meriwether County, 1.48 mi NNW of Thompson Crossroad to 2.3 mi NNW of Andrews Crossroads
Measured
55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
33.090, -84.777

The Meriwether County Emergency Manager reported that multiple trees were blown down across the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Harris

When
January 30, 3:23 PM EST
Where
Harris County, 0.9 mi NW of Hamilton
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
32.760, -84.880

The Harris County Sheriff's Office reported that several trees were blown down on U.S. Route 27.

Thunderstorm Wind, Barrow

When
January 30, 3:30 PM EST
Where
Barrow County, 0.69 mi N of Winder
Measured
55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
911 Call Center
Coordinates
33.990, -83.720

The Barrow County 911 Center reported that numerous trees and power lines were blown down near Winder.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clayton

When
January 30, 3:30 PM EST
Where
Clayton County, Jonesboro
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
911 Call Center
Coordinates
33.520, -84.350

The Clayton County 911 Center reported about a dozen trees and power lines down in Jonesboro.

Thunderstorm Wind, Chattahoochee

When
January 30, 3:35 PM EST
Where
Chattahoochee County, 1.89 mi WNW of Cusseta
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
32.313, -84.798

Cusseta Police reported several trees down along Highways 26 and 520.

Thunderstorm Wind, Newton

When
January 30, 3:40 PM EST
Where
Newton County, 0.58 mi E of Covington
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
33.600, -83.860

The public reported several trees and power lines down near Covington.

Thunderstorm Wind, Taylor

When
January 30, 3:45 PM EST to 4:00 PM EST
Where
Taylor County, 1.03 mi WSW of Howard to 1.09 mi SW of Reynolds
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
32.592, -84.395

The Taylor County Emergency Manager reported that several trees were blown down across the county between 345 and 400 PM, especially along Highway 96 both west and east of Butler.

Thunderstorm Wind, Stewart

When
January 30, 4:00 PM EST to 4:10 PM EST
Where
Stewart County, 2.24 mi W of Sanford to 2.93 mi N of Barges
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.973, -85.008

The Stewart County Emergency Manager reported that several trees were blown down across the southern portion of the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Upson

When
January 30, 4:15 PM EST
Where
Upson County, 0.9 mi NE of Hannah Mill
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
32.940, -84.340

The local newspaper reported numerous trees down along Jeff Davis Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lamar

When
January 30, 4:20 PM EST
Where
Lamar County, 0.69 mi S of Barnesville
Measured
40 kt (46 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
33.040, -84.150

A local newspaper reported that a masonry sign was blown over at a dentist's office on the southeast side of Barnesville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Houston

When
January 30, 4:45 PM EST
Where
Houston County, 0.9 mi SW of Elberta
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
32.660, -83.630

The Houston County Emergency Manager reported that a carport was blown over on the north side of Warner Robins, and it damaged a pickup truck when it fell. Additionally, several small trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jasper

When
January 30, 5:05 PM EST
Where
Jasper County, Smiths Mill
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
33.320, -83.830

The Jasper County Emergency Manager reported that several small trees were blown down along Jackson Lake Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sumter

When
January 30, 5:12 PM EST
Where
Sumter County, Americus
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
32.070, -84.230

The Sumter County Emergency Manager reported that multiple trees and power lines were blown down in Americus.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bibb

When
January 30, 5:24 PM EST
Where
Bibb County, 3.55 mi E of Lake Tobesofkee
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
32.830, -83.760

The Bibb County Emergency Manager reported that numerous trees were blown down west of Macon.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dodge

When
January 30, 7:10 PM EST
Where
Dodge County, 1.88 mi ENE of Gresston
Measured
60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$75,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
32.290, -83.220

The Dodge County Emergency Manager reported that four houses sustained major roof damage and several barns were blown over.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wheeler

When
January 30, 7:30 PM EST to 7:35 PM EST
Where
Wheeler County, 2.42 mi S of Avants to 1.29 mi NW of Ochwalkee
Measured
55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
32.085, -82.868

The Wheeler County Emergency Manager reported that at least a dozen trees were knocked down countywide. A few of those fell on power lines causing short outages. One tree impacted a porch with only minor damage.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

EventDateAgeSexWhereKind
Tornado, Bartow2013-01-3051MaleMobile/Trailer HomeDirect

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Tornado
A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Georgia in 2013Every state in 2013This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Georgia, 2013Warnings in Georgia, January 2013

Sources

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: 428270, 428272, 428273, 428264, 428266, 428265, 428262, 428274, 428263, 428267, 428260, 428261, 428319, 428268, 428269, 428292, 428294, 428275, 428285, 428304, 428306, 428307, 428259, 428317, 428308, 428309, 428310, 428303, 428280, 428283, 428278, 428296, 428300, 428298, 428302, 428311, 428312, 428305, 428315, 428313, and more.