Thunderstorm Wind — Lincoln, Georgia

2023-07-20 · near Kenna, Lincoln, Georgia

Event narrative

A line of severe thunderstorms produced widespread wind damage across Lincoln

County, GA on the evening of July 20, 2023. Elijah Clark State Park, along the shore of

Clarks Hill Lake, was particularly hard hit, likely due to enhancement of winds over the

lake.

Georgia State Parks estimated that approximately 100-150 trees were snapped or

uprooted in the park, along with numerous power poles. The downed trees damaged or

destroyed 7-10 campers and 10-20 vehicles. There were no injuries.

A National Weather Service storm survey determined that the damage was the result of

thunderstorm winds, and not a tornado. Peak wind speeds were estimated to be around

85 mph.

Wider weather episode

A line of severe thunderstorms, aided by some upper energy and deep layer shear, developed over north Georgia and moved SE across the Central Savannah River Area of GA, during the late day and evening, and produced widespread wind damage.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (33.8600, -82.4157)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1102334. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.