EF1 tornado in Schley County, Georgia

A National Weather Service survey team found that an EF1 tornado with maximum wind speeds of 105 MPH and a maximum path width of 200 yards touched down west of Ellaville near a small farm south of Chancey Drive. The tornado moved east snapping and uprooting trees along its path south of Chancey Drive into southern Ellaville. The tornado snapped and uprooted dozens of trees as it crossed Pinefield Drive and Ridgewood Drive where several homes were impacted. The tornado continued east crossing Ebenezer Road and travelling along Pine Circle snapping trees and causing roof damage to homes. The tornado crossed South Callaway Drive and Broad Street where a large metal building collapsed onto peanut storage bins. The

tornado then turned southeast hitting a large warehouse and mobile home manufacturer. A metal building was heavily damaged and several new mobile homes were overturned in a holding lot. The tornado then turned east once again crossing Highway 19 and paralleling Highway 228, snapping a few trees, before lifting west of Lacross Road. In total, more than 40 homes were damaged with 3 destroyed by falling trees. Twelve businesses sustained damage of varying degrees and the entire town of Ellaville was without power for more than 24 hours. No injuries were reported. [04/03/17: Tornado #13, County #1/1, EF-1, Schley, 2017:45].

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.