National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

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A strong upper level disturbance and cold front moved through the Southeast late Wednesday night, February 18, 2009. Ahead of this front, a very warm and moist airmass was in place across Georgia, with temperatures rising into the upper 60s and lower 70s across most of the state. Strong southerly winds at the surface and strong westerly winds aloft combined with this unstable airmass to produce an outbreak of supercell thunderstorms beginning Wednesday afternoon and lasting through early Thursday morning. Surveys conducted by meteorologists from the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, as well as by the Forecast Office in Columbia, SC, and county Emergency Management officials confirmed that at least 10 tornadoes occurred across north and central Georgia. The images below show some of the damage caused by the Hancock tornado. This was surveyed by meteorologists from the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City.

The tornado that hit Hancock, Warren and Glascock Counties touched down about 5 miles east-southeast of Sparta around 10:45 pm and continued on the ground for 10.6 miles. Within Hancock county a church, 2 site-built homes and 4 mobile homes were destroyed within the Hickory Grove community. Hundreds of trees were down along the path as well as it passed through Hancock, Warren and Glascock Counties. This EF3 tornado caused 1 fatality and 3 injuries along its path.

Other photos...

• Meriwether, Coweta & Spalding County photos
• Putnam, Wilkes and Jasper County photos
• Newton County photos
• Hail photos

In Hancock County...