EF1 tornado in Harris County, Georgia

A National Weather Service survey team determined that an EF-1 tornado with maximum wind speeds of 95 MPH and a maximum path width of 250 yards travelled for just under 2.5 miles along U.S Highway 27 in southern Harris County between the communities of Fortson and Cataula. The tornado began on West Bonacre Road just west of Highway 27, where a few small trees were snapped, and moved northeast, intensifying as it crossed Highway 27 north of Raymond Road where numerous trees were snapped or uprooted and several power lines and poles were brought down. The most significant damage was observed just northeast of this location along Gatlin Road where an estimated 50-100 large trees were snapped or uprooted. One large tree fell on a home at this location causing significant damage, however no injuries were reported. Continuing northeast, additional damage was observed between Knowles Road and Wells Drive where a grove of trees was snapped or uprooted on the east side of Highway 27. The tornado ended just northeast of the intersection of Wells Drive and Highway 27. [02/07/17: Tornado #1, County #1/1, EF1, Harris, 2017:029].

A strong upper-level trough and short wave swept through the region during the afternoon and evening. A marginally unstable air mass in place across central Georgia combined with moderate mid and deep-layer shear were enough to produce scattered severe thunderstorms, and an isolated tornado.