Thunderstorm Wind — Floyd, Georgia

2013-03-18 · near Brice, Floyd, Georgia

Event narrative

A National Weather Service storm survey team determined that straight-line winds between 80 and 100 MPH occurred in the Silver Creek area. A home off Center Road was damaged by winds approximately 80 MPH. Numerous trees were uprooted or snapped along Highway 101 where the Silver Creek Mini Mart was heavily damaged. Winds were estimated at 100 MPH at this location. Also, several homes were damaged due to falling trees. Seven minor injuries occurred in the Silver Creek area, with three requiring hospitalization.

Wider weather episode

A strong upper level system combined with a moist south to southeast flow, moderate instability, a cold pool aloft, and enhanced surface convergence along and ahead of an approaching cold front moving through the Deep South. This combination of parameters resulted in widespread severe weather across northwest, west central, and central Georgia including damaging winds, large hail, and a tornado. A wedge of cold air was in place across northeast Georgia, which acted to stabilize this area with only isolated reports of severe weather. The bulk of the severe weather was concentrated along a zone just to the south and west of the wedge front, where instability and low-level shear were maximized.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (34.1345, -85.1490)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 437017. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.