EF2 Tornado — Stewart, Georgia

2017-04-05 · near Tilley, Stewart, Georgia

Event narrative

A National Weather Service survey team found that an EF2 tornado with maximum wind speeds of 120 MPH and a maximum path width of 1320 yards touched down

near the Randolph-Stewart County line along US Highway 27 and quickly moved northeast into Stewart County. The tornado touched down in extreme northwest Randolph County at EF1 strength. The tornado then traveled across southeast Stewart County snapping or uprooting trees. About 5 miles west of Weston, but still in Stewart County, EF2 damage occurred from County Road 91 across County Road 148 to the Freeman Extension south of Goodwins Pond Road. A number of trees were uprooted while most were snapped at the trunk, including trunks with diameters as large as 2 feet. Two chicken houses were destroyed and two trailers suffered roof damage. One of the trailers was largely destroyed, but not moved from its foundation. The tornado weakened to EF1 and continued into Webster County. No injuries were reported. [04/05/17: Tornado #3, County #1/2, EF-2, Stewart, Webster, 2017:062].

Wider weather episode

Another strong short wave, the second in three days, rotated through a large and deep upper-level trough over the eastern U.S. A deep surface low and strong cold front moved through the state combining with moderate instability and strong low-level shear to produce another round of widespread severe weather across north and central Georgia, including several tornadoes.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (31.9224, -84.7930)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 698329. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.