EF1 tornado in Monroe County, Georgia

A National Weather Service survey team found that an EF1 tornado with maximum wind speeds of 110 MPH and a maximum path width of 300 yards touched down west of US Highway 41 near Montpelier Road. The tornado traveled northeast crossing Highway 41 near Old Rumble Road snapping or uprooting numerous trees. The tornado widened as it approached Gose Road west of I-75. More than a hundred trees were

snapped or uprooted in a wooded area west of Gose Road. Along Gose Road, numerous homes sustained roof damage from the wind or from falling trees. The tornado continued northeast crossing I-75 where several trees fell onto cars on the interstate and blocked the highway. The interstate was shut down for several hours due to debris. The tornado continued northeast crossing Lee King Road where it damaged a small garage roof and snapped dozens of trees before crossing Abares Road and Jenkins Road. A couple homes sustained damage in this area due to falling

trees. The tornado began to weaken as it continued northeast crossing Dames Ferry Road then dissipating shortly before entering Lake Juliette. In total, several thousand customers were left without power, 30 homes sustained damage and 1 home was destroyed. A family was trapped in their home along Music Row, however no injuries were reported. [04/03/17: Tornado #15, County #1/1, EF-1, Monroe, 2017:047].

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.