EF1 tornado in Chattooga County, Georgia

A National Weather Service survey found that EF1 tornado with maximum winds of 95 mph and a maximum path width of 800 yards originated just north of Summerville where several trees were snapped or uprooted around the intersection of Hair Lake Road and Mahan Road. The tornado traveled northeast, continuing to snap or uproot mall to medium-sized trees and a large camper was overturned by the tornado near Orchard Hill Road. Otherwise, structural damage was mainly confined to shingles and siding being pulled off homes. The tornado briefly intensify over Back Penn Road, just west of Highway 27 where a trailer was destroyed and a barn was heavily damaged. Multiple trees around this property were uprooted as well. Mainly pockets of tree damage and minor roof damage was seen as the tornado northeast to just east of Trion where it began to encounter Taylor Ridge and turned more northerly toward the Walker county line along Halls Valley Drive. [04/12/20: Tornado #1, County #1/2, EF-1, Chattooga, 2020:007].

A powerful Spring storm system resulted in a Severe Weather / Tornado outbreak across much of the Southeast region, including north and central Georgia, beginning on Easter Sunday (April 12th) and lingering into the morning hours of April 13th. From the Storm Prediction Center (Day 1) convective outlook, just about the entire area was under an ENHANCED risk for severe weather with a MODERATE risk extending from the ArkLaMiss into western Georgia.

In addition, enhanced rainfall occurred over far north Georgia and in portions of central Georgia, with rainfall amounts ranging from 3 to 8 inches through the event. Significant flooding was in portions of the area with numerous reports of washouts and several reports of rescues.