EF1 tornado in Lumpkin County, Georgia

A National Weather Service survey team found that an EF-1 tornado with maximum wind speeds of 100 MPH and a maximum path width of 350 yards occurred in Lumpkin County. The tornado began east of Georgia Highway 400 along Red Oak Flats Road near Red Oak Flats Loop. Numerous uprooted trees were found along the majority of Red Oak Flats Road as the tornado moved northeast. After the tornado crossed Old Dahlonega Highway it strengthened to an EF-1 along a ridgetop causing significant damage to barns and sheds. Damage to a home was found on Dunagan Drive along with numerous large trees uprooted in a pasture behind the road. The tornado continued northeast along Cleveland Highway but weakened to EF-0, causing damage to numerous trees and the collapse of a large chicken coop on Francis Smith Road. The tornado ended after moving east of Francis Smith Road. No injuries were reported. [04/03/17: Tornado #6, County #1/1, EF-1, Lumpkin, 2017:038].

A strong short wave and associated surface low swept through the southern and eastern U.S. and combined with moderate instability and strong shear resulted in widespread severe weather, including numerous tornadoes, across north and central Georgia from late morning through the afternoon.