Thunderstorm Wind — Dougherty, Georgia

2017-01-02 · near Lockett Crossing, Dougherty, Georgia

Event narrative

A severe thunderstorm produced a 3 to 4 mile swath of 80 to 85 mph winds across the northern half of Albany proper, causing widespread damage across the city. The NWS damage survey team found hundreds of snapped and/or uprooted trees, minor to moderate roof damage to structures and buildings, and occasional instances of extensive damage to wide-span metal roofs in areas throughout the city. Much of the severe structural damage surveyed was a result of trees falling onto structures and powerlines, especially in the Rawson Circle area, where the roads are canopied by old oak trees. The downed trees across the city were oriented in the same direction. This, along with examination of radar data from the event suggests that the damage was caused by straight line winds. Dougherty county received FEMA aid for this event due to damage cost exceeding the local threshold of $16 million.

Wider weather episode

Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms affected the region to start the year. Two day rainfall totals in excess of 8 inches were common across portions of the Florida panhandle with several roads flooded. Severe weather, including tornadoes and significant straight line wind damage, also occurred across the tri-state area with most of it in southeast Alabama and southwest Georgia. Albany was particularly hard hit with significant wind damage. There were a total of 5 fatalities across the tri-state area from straight line winds. There was also 1 fatality in Florida due to river flooding.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (31.5710, -84.2580)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 670336. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.