High Wind — North Fulton, Georgia

2009-04-13 · North Fulton, Georgia

Event narrative

The Fulton County Emergency Management Director reported that several trees were down in the northern portion of the county. A tree had fallen on a home at 125 West Spalding Drive in Sandy Springs causing extensive damage to the home. An individual was killed on Nacoochee Drive near the Peachtree Battle Shopping Center in Buckhead, approximately five miles north of Atlanta, when a tree fell across the cab of his truck. The Atlanta ASOS, 10-15 miles south of the area with the heaviest damage, recorded a wind gust of 45 knots at 953 am EDT. Higher winds may well have been observed in the northern part of the county.

Wider weather episode

Southeast winds of 50 to 60 mph developed on the back side of a departing large complex of showers and thunderstorms as it moved southeast from northwest into central Georgia. Widespread damage to trees, power lines, and several structures was observed across many north Georgia counties, especially in northwest and north central Georgia, during the early to mid-morning hours. Most of the damage occurred in northwest and north central counties north of Interstate-20 and west of Interstate-85. Below is a summary of counties reporting wind damage along with estimated wind speeds.

Bartow County (High Wind) - The Bartow County 911 Center reported that at least 25 downed trees and a number of power lines were reported to be down throughout the county. At least 4000 residents of the county were left without power.

Carroll County (High Wind) - The Carroll County 911 Center reported that many trees and power lines, at least 35, were blown down throughout the county. Widespread power outages were observed.

Cherokee County (High Wind) - The Cherokee County Emergency Management Director reported that more than 100 trees were down across the county. At least 40 roads were blocked from downed trees. Several homes sustained structural damage, at least 12 of which suffered moderate damage. At least 10,000 residents of the county were left without power following the event.

Cobb County (Strong Wind) - The public reported that several trees were blown down near South Cobb Drive.

Clarke County (Strong Wind) - A storm spotter reported that a large Oak tree was blown down across University Drive. A number of large tree limbs were down along Millege Avenue.

Coweta County (High Wind) - The public reported significant damage to structures in the northwestern part of the county. A roof was blown off a barn causing the walls to collapse. At least six homes between Summers McKoy Road and Tom Witcher Road sustained roof and siding damage from strong to high winds. Several power outages were reported in the area from downed trees and power lines.

Dade County (High Wind) - A trained spotter estimated wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph. Several trees down across the county. Electric transformers exploding from downed trees and tree limbs on power lines.

Dawson County (High Wind) - The Dawson County Emergency Management Director reported that many trees were down in the Big Canoe area of northern Dawson county. Seven homes were damaged during the wind storm, including one on Bearden Road that suffered significant damage. A female was initially trapped in the home, but was able to escape on her own. In addition, an individual was injured when they were struck by a tree limb. Thirty-five roads were blocked and closed from widespread downed trees.

DeKalb County (High Wind) - The public reported that several trees and power lines were blown down in the northern part of the county, especially around Decatur. Trees and/or power lines were down on Ashford-Dunwoody Road, Cross Street, Stratfield Drive N.E., Windsor Parkway N.E., and near Oglethorpe University.

Fannin County (Strong Wind) - The public reported that several trees and power lines were blown down in the eastern part of the county at elevations above 2000 feet.

Floyd County (High Wind) - The Floyd County Emergency Management Director reported that more than 80 trees were down across the county along with many power lines and utility poles. Horse Leg Creek Road was blocked from utility lines. Several homes also sustained minor to moderate damaged from downed trees, especially on East Third and Wright Streets in Rome. At least 10,000 residents of the county were left without power following the event.

Forsyth County (High Wind) - The Forsyth County Emergency Management Director reported that many trees and power lines were blown down across the county. At least four homes in the Cumming area sustained major damage was several large trees fell on the structures. One of these homes was rendered uninhabitable until it could be repaired. Blown electrical transformers started fires on some utility poles. A vehicle was destroyed and a home suffered minor damage on Buford Drive when a large oak tree fell on the property. Extensive damage was also reported at a marina at Port Royale on Lake Lanier. The strong winds caused two docks to collide. This action caused two boats to collide, one subsequently sunk, and a third was pushed over a walkway.

Fulton County (High Wind) - The public reported that several trees were down in the northern portion of the county. A tree had fallen on a home at 125 West Spalding Drive in Sandy Springs causing extensive damage to the home. An individual was killed on Nacoochee Drive near the Peachtree Battle Shopping Center in Buckhead, approximately five miles north of Atlanta, when a tree fell across the cab of his truck. The Atlanta ASOS, 10-15 miles south of the area with the heaviest damage, recorded a wind gust of 45 knots at 953 am EDT. Higher winds may well have been observed in the northern part of the county.

Gwinnett County (High Wind) - The Gwinnett Daily post reported that at least 30 trees were down across the county. Wind gusts were estimated at 45 mph, but radar data suggest that stronger winds may have occurred in some areas. A police officer in Suwanee was struck in the head by a falling tree and injured.

Hall County (High Wind) - The Hall County Emergency Management Director reported that many trees were down across the county, especially the south part of the county. Several homes suffered extensive damage from downed trees. Several boats were overturned on Lake Lanier at the Lan-Mar Marina. A man was injured on Joe Chandler Road when a tree fell on him causing cuts and bruises to his head. The Gainesville Times reported that nearly 300 trees had to be removed from roadways across the county. Nearly 9000 residents of the county were left without power during the event as well.

Murray County (Strong Wind) - The RAWS station at Cohutta recorded a wind gust of 48 mph, almost high wind criteria. A wind gust of 50 mph was reported from the Murray county mesonet site five miles east-southeast of Cisco. Up to 10 trees were blown down in the northern part of the county.

Paulding County (High Wind) - The Paulding County Emergency Management Director reported extensive damage across Paulding county. There were more than 50 incidents of downed trees and power lines. There were 37 trees down on roads. Four vehicles were either heavily damaged or destroyed from downed trees. Eight structures were damaged, two from downed trees. The roof was blown off a dry cleaners store and shingles were blown off the roof of two fire stations. Vinyl siding was blown off a home on Crestworth Crossing Road in the far southeastern part of the county near Powder Springs. The only weather observing station in Paulding county is a RAWS station in Dallas, which recorded 39 mph wind gusts. However, the extent of the damage indicated that wind gusts of 58 mph were likely observed in some areas.

Pickens County (High Wind) - The public observed that many trees were down from Talking Rock to Jasper.

Union County (High Wind) - The Union County Emergency Management Director reported that many trees and power lines were down across the county. A number of trees were down on power lines and widespread power outages were observed across the county. The Brasstown Bald RAWS station recorded a wind gusts of 44 knots. Damage suggested that higher wind gusts were likely observed in some areas.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 166827. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.