Thunderstorm Wind — Cherokee, Georgia

2004-11-24 · near Canton, Cherokee, Georgia

Event narrative

The Cherokee County Emergency Management Director and associated personnel conducted a damage survey and found a broken path of extensive damage to trees, power lines, structures, and vehicles across central Cherokee county from 6 miles west of Canton to 2.5 miles east of Canton, mostly along and near Georgia Highway 20. Most of the damage was consistent with strong straight-lined winds, with the possible exception of one small area in downtown Canton along Chamblee Street where possible F0 tornado damage was observed. The damage path began near the intersection of Fields Chapel Road and Sweet Water Creek Trail west of Canton where mostly tree damage was observed The damage path continued through the Field Stone Subdivision, where extensive damage to homes and trees was observed. Many homes in this area suffered major damage when large oak trees fell on the structures. Siding was blown off some of the homes and several vehicles in the area were destroyed when large trees fell on them. The damage path then continued eastward along Oak Dale Road in Canton, where several more homes, vehicles, and out buildings were damaged and a number of trees were blown down. In addition, the softball facility at the Cherokee County High School Complex suffered major damage when the roof of the dugout was blown off and 200 feet of a chain link fence was flattened. The damage then continued to Main Street and Brown Street in Canton, where a large downed tree crushed and destroyed 11 vehicles. Shortly beyond this point is where the possible F0 tornado occurred. The damage then continued east of Canton terminating in the Brooke Park Development, where again dozens of large trees were blown down onto homes and vehicles. All together, 115 homes sustained damage, 10 of which incurred major damage, 13 vehicles were destroyed, three others sustained some damage, and 8 outbuildings were damaged, of which four were destroyed.

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Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5428978. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.