EF2 Tornado — Cook, Georgia

2023-01-22 · near Sparks, Cook, Georgia

Event narrative

The tornado began just west of Interstate-75 before crossing through portions of Adel, GA in Cook County. The first significant structural damage consistent with EF2 intensity was done to a single-family home-style building on W Mitchell St between I-75 and N Elm St. Half of the structure was shifted off its slab and bolted foundation. Adjacent mini trailers were also flipped in addition to sheets of metal lofted about a hundred feet from the property. The second location of EF2 damage was off US-Highway 41 and South Ave near Carr Dr where a large metal structure building was shifted off its bolted foundation. Some steel beams were also ripped off with a couple lofted to a nearby residential area. Multiple large trees on the property had their trunks snapped, while others were uprooted. Numerous damaged/fallen trees, some uprooted, had snapped and twisted trunks in a residential neighborhood along Kent Dr. Several of these trees fell on top of a few homes. The damages in that area were consistent with EF1 intensity. Continued tree damage was observed throughout the east side of the county along with a series of knocked over centerline irrigation pivots. The tornado then destroyed a motorhome and snapped several trees along Joiner Rd before lifting near the Cook County/Berrien County border. Max winds were estimated at 115 mph.

Wider weather episode

A couple of strong upper level shortwaves impacted the area during the latter half of January, bringing with them a couple of rounds of severe weather with numerous reports of trees and power lines blown down. In addition, a few tornadoes occurred across the tri-state area.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (31.1474, -83.4440)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1076704. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.