Severe Storms across North and Central Georgia - April 15-16, 2011

Severe Weather Across
North and Central Georgia
April 15-16, 2011

A strong storm system moved through North and Central Georgia during the afternoon hours Friday and continued into the early morning hours Saturday. Wind damage, some of which was caused by isolated tornadoes, and large hail was reported across several areas.

[ Map of warnings & Storm Reports from April 15-16. ]

Storm Reports from April 15-16 Squall Line.

A National Weather Service survey team determined that an EF-0 tornado, with winds of 75 MPH, briefly touched down 5 miles south-southeast of Hamilton in Harris County on April 15, 2011 around 7:50 PM. The tornado was on the ground for approximately 0.43 miles and had a path width of 50 yards. A total of 10 trees had their canopies clipped off. A gazebo and storage shed were also destroyed by the tornado.

Harris County Tornado Track.

A National Weather Service survey team determined that an EF-1 Tornado touched down 7 miles east-northeast of Fort Benning at approximately 4:50 AM EDT on Saturday, April 16, 2011. The tornado had wind speeds up to 100 MPH with a path length of one quarter of a mile and a path width of 50 yards. The tornado removed one fourth of the roof of a dormitory on base along with portions of the exterior wall of the same building. This was the only building that was damaged. There were 30 trees downed by the tornado along with numerous cars that were flipped and damaged.

Ft. Benning Tornado Track.

Dormitory Damaged by EF-1 Tornado at Fort Benning.

Vehicle and Dormitory Damage from EF-1 Tornado at Fort Benning.

Car Damage from EF-1 Tornado at Fort Benning.

[ Reflectivity from Fort Benning Tornado. ]

Reflectivity from the Fort Benning Tornado.

Velocity from the Fort Benning Tornado.

The National Weather Service survey team also determined that an EF-1 tornado, with winds around 110 MPH, touched down in Bibb County. The tornado touched down around 6:02 AM Saturday, April 16, 2011 about 5 miles northwest of Macon. The path length was 2.6 miles and ended 5 miles north-northwest of Macon. At its widest point, the tornado was 500 yards. A total of 25 homes sustained damage, 10 of which received major damage and 4 were destroyed. A motel and other business buildings sustained roof damage. Approximately 200 trees were downed by the tornado.

Macon Tornado Track.

Tree and House Damage from EF-1 Tornado in Macon.

[ Reflectivity from Bibb County Tornado. ]

Reflectivity from Macon Tornado.

Velocity from Macon Tornado.

It was determined that the damage in the southern portion of Rome (Floyd County) was due to straight line winds with speeds of approximately 80 MPH. 50 to 100 trees were downed. Approximately 12 homes received damage from downed trees, three of which received major damage.

Tree and House Damage from Straight Line Winds in Floyd County.

Tree across road in Floyd County.

Uprooted Tree In Floyd County.

This web page will be updated with additional information as these surveys are completed. For a more detailed report of the damage associated with the squall line view the Local Storm Reports.