Tropical Storm — Marion, Georgia

2011-09-04 to 2011-09-05 · Marion, Georgia

Event narrative

The remnants of Tropical Storm Lee impact north and central Georgia.

Wider weather episode

Tropical Storm Lee moved slowly onshore the Louisiana coast on Friday September 2nd and then grudgingly moved northeast through Sunday September 4th before finally becoming caught up in an eastward advancing upper trough and associated frontal system. The remnants of Lee tracked across central Mississippi, central and northern Alabama, and into northern Georgia on the 5th before moving northeast of the area early on September 6th. The remnants brought beneficial modest rainfall amounts to the northwestern half of Georgia, with the heaviest rainfall falling in northwest Georgia, mainly northwest of a Rome to Dalton line. In this corner of the state, rainfall of five to seven inches was common over the two-day period, resulting in minor flooding. During the afternoon of the 5th, daytime heating combined with a pocket of strong shear associated with the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee and spawned numerous strong thunderstorms across north and central Georgia. Many of these exhibited strong low-level rotation prompting numerous tornado warnings during the afternoon and evening hours of the 5th. However, only one of these actually netted a tornado, an EF1 that tracked across much of eastern Cherokee county causing extensive damage to homes and businesses in that area. Damages were likely in excess of $11 million across eastern Cherokee county.

Tornado, thunderstorm wind, and flash flood damages related to Tropical Storm Lee are provided via those individual damage reports.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 349254. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.