National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

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An upper level disturbance moved across the southern Ohio and northern Tennessee Valley during the evening Sunday, April 19, 2009, The cold front associated with this disturbance pushed through Georgia during the late evening and overnight hours. Ahead of this front - warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico spread northward during the afternoon and evening hours; afternoon temperatures climbed into the mid upper 70s. Southerly winds at the surface and strong westerly winds aloft combined in this unstable airmass to produce several supercell thunderstorms which moved across portions of north central Georgia during the late evening and overnight hours Sunday night and Monday (April 20th) morning. Surveys conducted by meteorologists from the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, confirmed that 2 tornadoes occurred across north and central Georgia. So far, no fatalities have been reported with these storms, although 2 injuries were reported in Cherokee county.

The images below show some of the damage caused by the Muscogee county tornado. The Muscogee County areas were surveyed by meteorologists from the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City.

The tornado in Muscogee county initially touched down in Russell county Alabama (Phenix City). The tornado crossed the Chattahoochee River into Columbus around 11:35 PM. Significant damage was observed at Columbus State University, especially to the Old Rankin Building which had been converted to dormitories. From this point spotty tree and roof damage, along with broken windows was observed along a path as it continued eastward. A small utility truck was moved 25 feet through a fence at a nursery on the corner of 13th Street and 13th Avenue. From this point to where the tornado lifted near Macon Road and Preston Drive, hundreds of large, mature oak trees were snapped or uprooted through Lake Bottom Park and the Hilton Avenue, Harding Drive area. Extensive Damage was noted to homes throughout the area, largely from downed trees. This EF1 tornado had a path length of 4 miles, a width of 250 yards with a maximum wind speed of 105 MPH.

Other photos...

• Cherokee County photos

Samples of Damage Seen During NWS Survey...