EF2 tornado in Murray County, Georgia

A National Weather Service survey found that an EF2 tornado with maximum winds of 135 mph and a maximum path width of 860 yards occurred in Murray County. The tornado touched down along Mitchell Bridge Road, just northwest of the Indian Trace Golf Course where several trees were snapped. The tornado moved northeast crossing Highway 286 and Twin Lakes Road where a few trees were snapped or uprooted and

minor damage occurred to several homes. The tornado appeared to briefly strengthen around Ellis Circle where there was more notable exterior damage to homes and a greater number of trees uprooted. As the tornado continued northeast crossing Fullers Chapel Road, noticeable strengthening occurred. Aerial drone footage showed a wide swath of large trees blown down just before Norton Bridge Road. At least 8 double-wide manufactured homes were completely destroyed along Deer Park Drive, with several others sustaining some degree of damage. It was here the tornado quickly strengthened to EF2 intensity with winds around 125 MPH. Similar, significant, damage was seen along Ridgeview Lane and Fieldview Court, where additional manufactured homes were destroyed and a recently built cell tower was left crumpled by the intense winds. At this point, the tornado reached its peak intensity with maximum wind speeds around 135 MPH. The tornado maintained its EF2 intensity as it crossed over Zion Church Hill Road, just before Highway 225. As the strong tornado crossed Highway 225, a small single-family home was heavily damaged with just a couple of interior walls left standing. Along Jim Petty Road, 4 large chicken houses were damaged or destroyed with the debris thrown several hundred yards away. Further north along Jim Petty Road, near Hawkins Road, the damage appeared to lessen quickly with just a few trees blown down and minor roof damage to a shed. Some additional damage, mainly trees being snapped or uprooted, was seen along Halls Chapel Road, just before Temple Grove road. The tornado lifted just beyond this point, along Sumac Ridge. Eight people were killed and around 2 dozen injured in the area between Fullers Chapel Road and Jim Petty Road. [04/12/20: Tornado #2, County #1/1, EF-2, Murray, 2020:008].

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.