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773 NOUS42 KFFC 232210 PNSFFC GAZ001>009-011>016-019>025-027-030>039-041>062-066>076-078>086- 089>098-102>113-241015- Public Information Statement National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 510 PM EST Thu Feb 23 2023 ...NWS Damage Survey for 01/12/23 Tornado Event - Update # 11... .Update... This update includes the reanalysis of the tornadoes which occurred in Northeastern Meriwether, Northwestern Pike, and Southwestern Spalding County. A detailed examination of radar data in concert with high resolution areal imagery show that several tornadoes rotating around and within a larger vortex caused the widespread damage in that area near Griffin GA...over 2 miles wide in some cases. Due to the area's proximity to the tornadoes, NWS meteorologist were able to better analyze radar data to identify individual vortices rotating around the larger circulation which spanned well over 2 miles. The result was that as many as 4 tornadoes were on the ground simultaneously in SW Spalding County...rotating around the larger ciruclation, merging together in several cases and crossing paths. It was also noted that near and shortly after tornadoes merged, damage increased. The presence of 3 mergers was identified in the reanalysis. Additional analysis revealed that wind speeds in the EF3 storm reached as high as 155mph or high end EF3. This update also confirmed the presence of 2 additional tornado tracks bringing the total to 14 in the event that day including 10 which resulted from the same storm/larger mesocylone. No further updates or surveys are anticipated at this time. .Overview... A line of strong thunderstorms moved into north and central Georgia during the afternoon through the evening on Thursday, January 12th and spawned numerous tornadoes, including several that were long track and significant. Ahead of this line, a few supercells also spawned tornadoes in portions of central and eastern Georgia. As of this writing, survey information is still being compiled and will be released in coming days. Thus, the final tornado count is still being determined. The total number of tornadoes with completed surveys below stands at 10, with more to be added. ..Standing Rock Tornado (NW Troup County)... Rating: EF2 Estimated Peak Wind: 120 mph Path Length /statute/: 20.9 miles Path Width /maximum/: 1600 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 01/12/2023 Start Time: 03:08 PM EST Start Location: 1 WSW White Plains / Chambers County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 32.9871 / -85.4131 End Date: 01/12/2023 End Time: 03:24 PM EST End Location: 1 SW Wares Crossroads / Troup County / GA End Lat/Lon: 33.0972 / -85.0874 Survey Summary: NWS meteorologists have surveyed damage in northeastern Chambers County and determined it was consistent with an EF2 tornado. The start point was a bit uncertain due to sporadic timber damage around Five Points, but appears to be near County Road 114 west of Highway 431 to the southwest of Five Points. Northeast of Five Points, the tornado intensified, snapping and uprooting many trees along County Road 267 and causing roof damage to a barn. The swath of timber damage became almost a mile wide along County Roads 281 and 282 and at least one residence there suffered roof damage. The tornado continued to intensify as it crossed County Road 268 where large swaths of pine trees were snapped. A manufactured home was completely destroyed and blown downstream near County Road 278; thankfully the family was not home at the time. Most of the structural damage happened along County Road 284. A couple residences suffered significant shingle damage, one had siding damage, and a manufactured home had its porch ripped off, impacting its walls. Another manufactured building was blown off its footings. Another significant swath of snapped pines was observed on County Road 283, some snapped off only a couple feet off the ground. The tornado then crossed into Georgia, continuing to snap trees along West Point Lake. Numerous trees were snapped along the end of North State Line Rd as the tornado crossed the lake. The tornado began to weaken some as it made its way into Deer Point Rd and Rock Mills Road where tree damage and some damage to shingles and gutters occurred for a few homes. The tornado continued east through mostly wooded areas, doing damage to pines and crossing just north of a few homes along Neely Rd. Weakening continued as it continued NE with only minor tree damage occurring before the tornado dissipated along Cameron Mill Rd. ..Cobb County Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 110 mph Path Length /statute/: 1.5 miles Path Width /maximum/: 150 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 01/12/2023 Start Time: 03:30 PM EST Start Location: 2 NNE Sweetwater Creek State Park / Douglas County / GA Start Lat/Lon: 33.7830 / -84.6071 End Date: 01/12/2023 End Time: 03:33 PM EST End Location: 2 WNW Six Flags Over Georgia / Cobb County / GA End Lat/Lon: 33.7867 / -84.5823 Survey Summary: As a line of strong to severe thunderstorms moved through the west Atlanta metropolitan area and into southwest Cobb county, a brief tornado spun up near the intersection of Oak Ridge Rd and Oak Ridge Pkwy SW, which is about a half-mile to the north of I- 20. The tornado immediately caused damage to the 18 Wheeler Truck Parts & Chrome building, causing a portion of an exterior wall to collapse. A door was open on the back side of the building, providing a failure point as tornado winds entered the building. The tornado moved northeastward across Ivy Pointe Row SW and Ivy Log Dr SW, where several large and tall trees were snapped and caused damage to roofs and walls of homes. The tornado then turned east-northeast, bringing down additional trees onto Ivy Log Dr SW, Maple Log Pl SW, and Poplar Log Pl SW. Two homes on Poplar Log Pl SW sustained major damage as large trees fell on the home, removing portions of the roof and walls, which were then tossed by the tornado winds. The tornado then turned east- southeastward, uprooting several trees on Hembree Ln SW and Blair Bridge Rd SW, once again falling on homes and causing structural damage. The tornado continued onto William Rd, snapping and uprooting about a dozen trees before finally lifting and dissipating over Myra Ln SW. No other notable damage was observed beyond this point. There were locations along the track over which it appears the tornado lifted just enough to bring taller, larger trees down onto homes, but leave objects on the ground mostly undisturbed. Maximum winds based on damage is estimated to be 110 mph which equates to an EF1 rating. ..Troup County (LaGrange) Tornado... Rating: EF2 Estimated Peak Wind: 120 mph Path Length /statute/: 12.3 miles Path Width /maximum/: 1060 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 4 Start Date: 01/12/2023 Start Time: 03:34 PM EST Start Location: 3 NE Cannonville / Troup County / GA Start Lat/Lon: 32.9927 / -85.0735 End Date: 01/12/2023 End Time: 03:47 PM EST End Location: 1 ENE Mountville / Troup County / GA End Lat/Lon: 33.0428 / -84.8720 Survey Summary: Re-cycling from a parent supercell tracking from Chambers County (Alabama) into Troup County (Georgia), this tornado touched down just south of Callaway Airport, snapping several trees along Pegasus Pkwy. Damage quickly picked up just to the northeast approaching Whitesville Road (just north of I-85) where several one-story metal buildings had significant roof damage, along with their garage doors and windows blown in. Numerous trees in this area were either snapped or uprooted. Several power poles along Orchard Hill Road were broken off near the top. Maximum winds in this area were determined to be in the 90-100 mph range (EF-1).As the tornado continued northeast, a large warehouse building at the Vaughan Xpress transportation facility sustained significant damage. About 1/4 of the large warehouse was completely destroyed with several metal bolt anchors stretched or ripped up out of the concrete pad. Winds were estimated between 110-120 mph at this time and as it crossed I-85, a large number of trees were snapped (some near the base) or uprooted. Widespread significant damage by this strong tornado continued across the Baldwin Park community. In this location, more than 30 homes had significant damage; one and two-story homes lost major parts of the roof and upper level floors along with at least partial-collapse of exterior walls. Debris was thrown for hundreds of yards. Winds in this area likely maxed out around 120 mph, making this an EF- 2 tornado. The tornado continued east-northeast, cutting down trees across Upper Big Springs Road, I-185, and Stewart Road (east of I-185). There's a fairly rural/wooded area between Stewart Road and the next road (Parmer road) about 2 miles apart but damage picked back up along Hwy 109/Greenville Road (mostly trees snapped/uprooted). The tornado then ripped through the town of Mountville, snapping and uprooting multiple medium to large trees along Trippe and College streets. A couple more trees were uprooted along Wood Road, but little to no damage was seen beyond this area. Seeing this and what was on radar, this fairly long- track tornado finally lifted just before the Meriwether County line. ..Meriwether/Northwest Pike Tornado... Rating: EF2 Estimated Peak Wind: 120 mph Path Length /statute/: 24.45 miles Path Width /maximum/: 1500 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 01/12/2023 Start Time: 03:45 PM EST Start Location: 2 ENE Mountville / Meriwether County / GA Start Lat/Lon: 33.0517 / -84.8527 End Date: 01/12/2023 End Time: 04:17 PM EST End Location: 1 NW Hollonville / Pike County / GA End Lat/Lon: 33.1762 / -84.4712 Survey Summary: As the Troup County tornado lifted southeast of LaGrange just west of the Troup-Meriwether County line, another long-track and powerful tornado formed just east of the county line near Keith Rd 0.9 miles north of GA109. The tornado initially traveled north then turned to a east-northeast direction crossing Wilbur Keith Rd and Piney Woods Rd downing hundreds of trees. The tornado broadened and intensified as it approached GA100 with a diameter of 0.9 miles and winds over 100 mph uprooting and snapping over 1000 trees. A home on Forrest Rd had its entire roof blown off where max winds were estimated at 120 mph and first reached EF- 2 intensity. The tornado continued at 100 to 120 mph intensity as it continued east-northeast into neighborhoods south of Allie Rd along Mount Pilgram Rd where several homes were damaged or destroyed by trees falling on them. One double-wide manufactured home on Ground Hog Dr had its roof blown off and was shifted 20 yards off its foundation, breaking the home in half. The tornado continued east-northeast along Allie Rd crossing US27. Just east of US27 a very large stand of trees were snapped and a large recently-constructed two-story barn was destroyed. Just east of this location, two single-wide mobile home completely destroyed. The residents of one of the homes was at the hospital when the tornado struck and returned home early next morning to find it in shambles. Here, maximum winds were also rated at EF- 2 intensity (120 mph). The tornado began to weaken east of this point and it tracked a bit more northeast in direction, crossing Rocky Mountain Rd and Malcom Rd before it traveled along Callaway Rd downing several hundred more trees as it moved near the Alps community. While the tornado remained weak east of this area, the overall storm remained extremely strong and the tornado did not dissipate, continuing east paralleling HWY 362 causing sporadic tree damage before crossing the Flint River into NW Pike County crossing River RD and lifting around the Kings Bridge Road. Here winds were only 75-80 mph downing several trees as far as could be seen from public roadways. More recent analysis of radar data and areal satellite imagery confirmed that this particular circulation continued east into Pike County while 2 other tornadoes were spinning up to the North and Northeast of this weakening circulation. ..Pike/Spalding/Henry County Tornado... Rating: EF3 Estimated Peak Wind: 155 mph Path Length /statute/: 32.80 miles Path Width /maximum/: 2200 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 18 Start Date: 01/12/2023 Start Time: 04:10 PM EST Start Location: 1 W Hollonville / Pike County / GA Start Lat/Lon: 33.1654 / -84.4785 End Date: 01/12/2023 End Time: 04:45 PM EST End Location: 4 SW Fincherville / Henry County / GA End Lat/Lon: 33.3734 / -84.0014 Survey Summary: New high resolution areal imagery in concert with a reanalysis of radar data, areal surveys and ground surveys it has been determined that there were multiple tornadoes on the ground simultaneously in southwest Spalding and Northwestern Pike Counties as well as crossing tornado paths. The tornadoes were part of a larger mesocyclone which can be traced west all the way back to the Selma Alabama tornado. Our analysis determined that this tornado would become the dominant circulation which impacted Griffin and much of Spalding County and Southern Henry County. The tornado first touched down in Northwest Pike County along HWY 362 west of Irish Hill Drive where a few trees were snapped and uprooted and quickly increased in intensity to EF1 as it crossed Kings Bridge Road, Huff Creek Rd and Scott Road where numerous trees were snapped and uprooted. As the storm crossed Blanton Mill Road more severe damage was noted both on the ground and areal survey and it was determined that EF2 damage was present in the area around Nunnally Rd and Bethany Road where widespread snapping of trees occurred and a few structures were severely damaged. However, the updated analysis shows that this area also experienced crossing tornado paths both from this tornado and another which struck the area approximately 2 minutes later. The combination of the 2 paths likely resulted in more intense damage indicators. As the storm continued north into southern Spalding County, the circulation briefly weakened causing only sporadic low end EF0 damage northward along Scott Barch Road. It should also be noted that this circulation would pass into southern Spalding County along Scott Barch Road just 2 minutes ahead of another EF1 tornado to cross its path coming in from the west. The tornado continued north crossing Scott Barch Road and uprooting trees in an area south of Blanton Mill Road. Per both radar data and damage on the ground the tornado would pivot within the larger mesocyclone in an area north of Blanton Mill and begin its track east crossing Rover Zetella Road destroying a barn. It was near this point the tornado and the wind damage would significantly increase as the tornado was intensifying rapidly. The tornado would quickly reach peak intensity of 150- 155 mph and several homes were completely destroyed along Kendall Drive and West Road. 2 homes in particular were noted to be completely destroyed down to the foundation however further inspection of the homes revealed that the walls were not anchored fully anchored into the concrete thus a higher rating could not be determined from those homes. The resident of one of those homes rode out the storm in his bathtub, however the bathtub and all plumbing fixtures were torn away from the slab and tossed into the nearby woods. The survivor of the home was miraculously uninjured and got out to help neighbors. Further west along Kendall Drive several homes were also completely destroyed with several others suffering major damage thus the EF3 rating. The damage along West Road in particular garnered a slight upgrade in the wind speed to high end EF3 damage per a reanalysis. Major to severe damage was also noted along Maloy Road, Hwy 16, areas around Griffin High School, The club at Shoal Creek and North Pine Hill Road. As the tornado approached Hwy 19, per UGA faculty, the UGA facility at Dempsey Farm recorded a wind speed of 81.1 mph before the anemometer/wind combo instrument blew off the tower. The tornado continued ENE through the community of Experiment to the NW of the town of Griffin crossing HWY 92 where numerous business and homes suffered damage either from wind or fallen trees consistent with EF0 through EF1 damage. A weather instrument on the south end of the tornado swath at the UGA Griffin Campus recorded a 73.9 mph wind gust as the storm passed by. Damage in the area was consistent with EF0 type wind damage. The tornado struck a Hobby Lobby building in an around Experiment St and Hwy 92 which suffered severe damage to the roof, and exterior walls on the northeast side. Damage to the building was consistent with EF2 winds of approximately 130 mph. The tornado continued Northeast through the northside of Griffin with mostly EF0-EF1 type wind damage. Pockets of more severe damage were noted along Northside Drive and McIntosh Road consistent with high end EF1 damage. The tornado continued northeast crossing Smoak Road and N. McDonough road where it was noted both on the ground and from the air that the circulation weakened and the damage become more sporadic in nature particularly the area from Amelia rd eastward to I75 in southern Henry County. Once the circulation crossed I75 intensity of the tornado increased to a mid to high end EF1 with damage in the city of Locust Grove. The tornado crossed LG Griffin Road where it impacted numerous homes in a subdivision and snapped or uprooted trees. The storm crossed Stanley K Tanger Road and through another neighborhood affecting several homes including some high end EF1 damage. As the storm crossed Hwy 23 numerous trees were snapped or uprooted and a new TDS appeared on radar. The tornado continued NE across Jackson St, Grove Park Drive, Skyland Dr, S. Unity Grove Road and S Ola grove road snapping and uprooting trees as well as causing EF0 or in some cases EF1 damage to homes. The storm continued ENE snapping and uprooting trees through Peaksville Road where it shortly there after become less defined and eventually merged with the circulation/tornado ongoing to the south in the Jenkinsburg area. According to Spalding County officials, approximately 1465 homes were affected in the city of Griffin and 754 were affected in the county with at least 250+ suffering major damage or destroyed with assessments still ongoing. Additional numbers from Pike and Henry county will be added to the total when assessments are completed. The exact width of the tornado even with the high resolution imagery is difficult to determine and a best estimate will be used as a result of the close proximity of other tornado paths. Additionally, EF0 and EF1 damage resulting from both strong inflow into the large mesocylone and strong outflow on the southern side of the circulation also make it a challenge to separate tornado wind damage from very strong straight line wind damge. ..Northwest Pike / Southwest Spalding Tornado #2... Rating: EF2 Estimated Peak Wind: 130 mph Path Length /statute/: 9.26 miles Path Width /maximum/: 1000 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 01/12/2023 Start Time: 04:13 PM EST Start Location: 2 NW Hollonville / Spalding County / GA Start Lat/Lon: 33.1959 / -84.4845 End Date: 01/12/2023 End Time: 04:22 PM EST End Location: 2 NNW Rover / Spalding County / GA End Lat/Lon: 33.2345 / -84.342 Survey Summary: New high resolution areal imagery in concert with a reanalysis of radar data, areal surveys and ground surveys it has been determined that there were multiple tornadoes on the ground simultaneously in southwest Spalding and Northwestern Pike Counties as well as crossing tornado paths. The tornadoes were part of a larger mesocyclone which can be traced west all the way back to the Selma Alabama tornado. This particular tornado was spinning up in extreme SW Spalding County near Holonville Road and the Flint River as the EF2 tornado crossing Meriweather County into NW Pike was weaking and winding down. The particular tornado first showed a debris signature on radar in a marshy area near the flint River east of Holonville Road. Areal satellite imagery and newly acquired information from a homeowner along Huff Creek Road confirm the track continued east just north of Huff Creek Road snapping and uprooting hundreds of trees. The tornado Crossed Hancock Road as a high end EF 1 before reaching Blanton Mill Road where several outbuildings were destroyed, a home was damaged and hundreds of trees were uprooted or snapped. As the tornado continued east toward Nunnally Road it was noted that the tornado which would become the Griffin Tornado had crossed approximately 2 minutes prior and as this tornado approached that area. Damage in the Nunnally Road area is consistent with multiple circulations crossing this region. Also as this EF1 tornado reached the Nunnally/Bethany Road area, a strong surge in wind can be seen on radar rotating ENE around the larger mesocyclone and catching this tornado in this region. The particular tornado would be not only becoming part of that wind surge but also merge with an EF1 tornado sinking ESE out of Spalding County approximately at the Spalding/Pike county line in and around the Yarborough Mill Road region. This tornado would become the dominate circulation per radar analysis thus this track is continued ENE. As the EF1 tornado merges from the WNW, this tornado increases to max intensity of EF2 in and around the Yarborough Mill Road and Crystal Creek Drive area where several structures were severely damaged or destroyed in addition to hundreds of trees snapped and uprooted. Per damage analysis from imagery, this merging which occurred likely resulted in the increased intensification of the tornado to EF2 in this region. The tornado continued eastward toward a large rock quarry along Rover Zetella Road. The tornado snapped trees up to the Rock Quarry however, it appears that due to the size of the quarry, the tornado redeveloped on the N side of the quarry along Rover Zetella Road and continued east before resuming a northward path. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted wet of Candler Road north across North Rover Road,Agape Avenue and Bethel Lane. Numerous homes sustained everything from minor to moderate damage in this area consistent with EF0 to EF1 winds. This particular tornado continued north toward the stronger EF3 tornado occurring simultaneously ultimately absorbing this tornado into the circulation in the area around Maloy road. Due to the scope of the damage and the width, the exact location and the damage attribution (which tornado caused which damage) becomes difficult to discern even with the imagery. As a result, the exact width is an estimate due to the challenges of determining where one tornado damage swath ended and where another one started. The one thing that can be certain is that the vortices/tornadoes did merge near or just after the EF3 damage occurred. ..Southwest Spalding County Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 105 mph Path Length /statute/: 2.66 miles Path Width /maximum/: 300 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 01/12/2023 Start Time: 04:16 PM EST Start Location: 3 SW Zetella / Spalding County / GA Start Lat/Lon: 33.2147 / -84.4352 End Date: 01/12/2023 End Time: 04:20 PM EST End Location: 2 S Zetella / Spalding County / GA End Lat/Lon: 33.2075 / -84.392 Survey Summary: New high resolution areal imagery in concert with a reanalysis of radar data, areal surveys and ground surveys it has been determined that there were multiple tornadoes on the ground simultaneously in southwest Spalding and Northwestern Pike Counties as well as crossing tornado paths. The tornadoes were part of a larger mesocyclone which can be traced west all the way back to the Selma Alabama tornado.Our analysis determined that this tornado spun up near the center of the main mesocyclone as it crossed the Flint River in SW Spalding County.The first evidence of a tornado touching down appear along Blanton Mill Road where several trees were uprooted. This tornado would become caught within the larger circulation and swing SE around the center through mostly wooded or swampy areas of SW Spalding County. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted in a path that that tracks ESE until it reaches Scott Barch Road. It is in this area it crosses the path of a tornado which passes approximately 2 minutes early moving NEon the eastern periphery of the larger mesocyclone. Low end EF1 damage occurred to a barn in this area, however, it could have occurred with the first tornado. Numerous trees are uprooted or snapped in this area as well. The tornado continued ESE crossing Flat Creek Causing mid range EF1 damage to trees. It is noted per areal imagery and radar data that as the tornado approached Yarborough Rd and Shackleford Rd it become absorbed/merged with a larger stronger circulation/tornado moving to the NE. Damage on the ground in this area is indicative of tornadoes approaching from 2 different directions. The particular circulation is terminated at this point as the larger more dominant tornado continues NE toward a rock quarry along Rover Zetella Road. It should also be noted that EF2 damage occurred shortly after these 2 tornadoes merged near Road but will be attributed to themore dominate circulation. ..Northwest Pike / Southwest Spalding tornado #3... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 105 mph Path Length /statute/: 6.03 miles Path Width /maximum/: 800 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 01/12/2023 Start Time: 04:17 PM EST Start Location: 3 W Williamson / Pike County / GA Start Lat/Lon: 33.1958 / -84.4144 End Date: 01/12/2023 End Time: 04:24 PM EST End Location: 2 N Rover / Spalding County / GA End Lat/Lon: 33.2373 / -84.3346 Survey Summary: New high resolution areal imagery in concert with a reanalysis of radar data, areal surveys and ground surveys it has been determined that there were multiple tornadoes on the ground simultaneously in southwest Spalding and Northwestern Pike Counties as well as crossing tornado paths. The tornadoes were part of a larger mesocyclone which can be traced west all the way back to the Selma Alabama tornado. This particular EF1 tornado formed on the southern extent of the larger mesocyclone in close proximity to the EF2 tornado to the north. This tornado formed in an around the Nunnally Road and Dunbar School Road area snapping and uprooting trees. It would continue ENE crossing Hutchinson Rd and Bethany Road snapping and uprooting trees. EF1 damage to several storage buildings and homes occurred as the tornado crossed W. Williamson Road just to the south of the Rock Quarry along Rover Zetella Road. This tornado would continue east and pass to the south of the Rock Quarry snapping and uprooting trees before crossing Rover Zetella Road near the intersection of N. Rover Road. A small barn was destroyed and numerous trees were snapped and uprooted.It was near this point the tornado would begin a more north to northeastward path as it became more wrapped up into the larger mesocyclone and more dominate tornado developing and occurring to the north near Hwy16. This EF1 would cross Emanuel Way, Wilder Way, Maloy Road and Delray Cir causing damage to numerous homes and uprooting trees. 2 large storage bins just east of Wilder Way and Saint Luke dr were completely destroyed. Trees were snapped and uprooted as the tornado continued north into the larger circulation where it would merge just south of HWY16 to the NE of Princess Circle. Areal satellite imagery and radar data confirms the northward moving tornado into the more dominate EF3 tornado with trees snapped and uprooted to the north into an area of trees snapped and uprooted to the east. Due to the scope of the damage and the width of all of the tornadoes in this area, the exact location and the damage attribution (which tornado caused which damage) becomes difficult to discern even with the imagery. As a result, the exact width is an estimate due to the challenges of determining where one tornado damage swath ended and where another one started. The one thing that can be certain is that the vortices/tornadoes did merge near or just after the EF3 damage occurred. ..Warren/McDuffie County Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 110 mph Path Length /statute/: 16.4 miles Path Width /maximum/: 150 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 01/12/2023 Start Time: 04:15 PM EST Start Location: Mayfield / Warren County / GA Start Lat/Lon: 33.3622 / -82.8032 End Date: 01/12/2023 End Time: 04:39 PM EST End Location: 2 NNE Mesena / McDuffie County / GA End Lat/Lon: 33.4897 / -82.565 Survey Summary: A National Weather Service survey team confirmed an EF-1 tornado with peak winds of 110 mph that tracked from the border of Warren and Hancock county traveling just to the north and west of Warrenton. The tornado passed to the south of Camak in eastern Warren County and to the west of Thomson in western McDuffie County. The total tornado path was 16.42 miles, with about 14.40 miles in Warren County and 2.02 miles in McDuffie County. The tornado started near the intersection of Mayfield Rd and Riverview Farms Rd. It tracked ENE uprooting trees and picked up strength as it approached Atlanta HWY where a grove of large pines were snapped or uprooted with EF-1 intensity. The tornado crossed Old Camek Rd near the intersection of Lithonia Church Rd snapping and uprooting a number of large pine trees before causing minor structural damage as it approached the intersection of Washington HWY and Calvin Dr. The Georgia State Patrol (GSP) Aviation Division used a helicopter to pick up the trail near Camak, just east of Church Street, and moved toward the northeast. EF-0 damage to trees was seen from the helicopter extending from Camak Rd to the intersection of Wire Road and Otis Jones Road. A second NWS survey team determined the tornado strengthened again to EF-1 intensity as it approached Mesena Road and continued northeast across the county line to Foster Sprouse Road. In this area, a couple of homes had roof and fascia damage, a metal work shed and outdoor kitchen were destroyed, and a swath of large and healthy pine trees were snapped and uprooted. As the tornado crossed Foster Sprouse Road, it continued to snap and uproot trees, one of which fell on a house. The tornado then weakened as it crossed Union Church Road and dissipated before reaching West Bypass. ..Spalding/Butts/Newton/Jasper Tornado... Rating: EF2 Estimated Peak Wind: 130 mph Path Length /statute/: 31.98 miles Path Width /maximum/: 1400 yards Fatalities: 2 Injuries: 10 Start Date: 01/12/2023 Start Time: 04:27 PM EST Start Location: 3 N Orchard Hill / Spalding County / GA Start Lat/Lon: 33.2252 / -84.2021 End Date: 01/12/2023 End Time: 05:01 PM EST End Location: 4 S Mansfield / Jasper County / GA End Lat/Lon: 33.464 / -83.7343 Survey Summary: Radar data, areal surveys and ground surveys confirm that a long track EF2 tornado occurred beginning a few miles east of Griffin GA through Butts, Newton and into Jasper counties. The tornado was part of a larger mesocyclone which can be traced west all the way back to the Selma Alabama tornado which spawned numerous tornadoes during its lifecycle. This particular tornado first touched down in an area around Crouch road and Wild Plum Road snapping and uprooting trees. The tornado struck a Rinnai building causing damage to the roof, windows and outside walls. The tornado continued northeast snapping and uprooting trees quickly intensifying as it crossed hwy 19 becoming and EF2. Widespread tree damage was noted along S. McDonough Road and Walnut Grove Road north of Hwy 16. A well built home sustained significant roof and structure damage consistent with high end EF2 winds. The tornado continued northeast crossing High Falls Road, N. Walkers Mill Road, Yamacraw road snapping and uprooting trees consistent with EF1 damage. As the tornado continued northeast, it became the dominant circulation within the larger mesocyclone as the previous Griffin tornado began to occlude within the large circulation. The tornado crossed Jackson road and paralleled Jenkinsburg road before crossing I75 near Jenkinsburg Road. Snapped and uprooted trees were noted along both sides of I75 where the tornado crossed. As the storm became the dominant circulation within the mesocyclone, the wind field expanded and the damage became fairly consistent with high end EF1 to low EF2 thereafter. The tornado crossed Locust Road, Dean Patrick Road and England Chapel Road were numerous trees were snapped and uprooted. Some home damage was noted in the area as well, particularly as it approached Shiloah Road. Several homes were damaged along Plaza Dr and Smith Dr. The tornado continued NE crossing Hwy 23 striking a large warehouse. Severe roof and exterior wall damage was noted as debris was spread across the highway and to the NE of the hwy. As the tornado crossed the highway it struck a train on the tracks and overturned 3 rail cars just west Walter Moore Rd. The storm continued northeast crossing Wolf Creek Road snapping and uprooting trees near several homes consistent with EF1 wind damage. The tornado continued northeast crossing Rising Star Church road and Brown road snapping and uprooting trees. As the storm continued northeast beyond this point, the remnant circulation which last produced damage near Locust Grove regenerated a new tornado a little over a mile to the northwest along Fincherville Road. The two tornadoes would continue to the NE nearly parallel through the Jackson Lake area. This particular tornado continued northeast and would intensify to EF2 as it crossed Hwy 36 north of Keys Ferry Road and Haley Road. The fatality and critical injury directly associated with this tornado occurred along Haley Road when a tree fell onto a vehicle injuring the driver and fatally wounding a passenger. EF2 damage was noted East of hwy36 along Haley Road, Pocahontas St. Chickasaw lane and several neighborhoods along the lake. The tornado crossed into Southern Newton County causing severe damage along Parker Road, Ray Road, Malcom Rd, Quarry Ct, Pebble Ridge Dr, Hunters Trace, Campbell Rd and Hwy 212 as it entered Jasper County near the Franks Restaurant. EF1 to low end EF2 damage was intermittent along Yancy Rd, Dallas Tr, Gem Lane, Lee s Cove, Alcovy N. Dr, Rainbow Dr and County Line Road. The Bear Creek Marian was destroyed and several campers were destroyed. The storm continued NE crossing Henderson Mill Road snapping and uprooting trees, County line Trail and Hwy 11 before weakening and lifting as it approached Margery Lake. A second fatality was resulted the following day when a lineman was knocked out of a bucket truck in Jasper County after being struck by a large tree branch while attempting to restore powerlines. The fatality, is considered indirect but will be tied to this particular tornado. Widespread wind damage can be seen via areal survey and ground survey throughout northern Butts, Southern Newton and Western Jasper counties and surveying this particular storm was a challenge to discern where the tornado actually ended and where the severe wind damage started. The path width is an approximation based on the most severe damage swaths which were surveyed however, strong inflow winds occurred for much of the lifecycle of this tornado making a very wide swath of damage along its 30+ mile long path. ..Butts County Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 90 mph Path Length /statute/: 5.16 miles Path Width /maximum/: 150 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 01/12/2023 Start Time: 04:35 PM EST Start Location: 4 SW McKibben / Butts County / GA Start Lat/Lon: 33.2502 / -84.1095 End Date: 01/12/2023 End Time: 04:38 PM EST End Location: 1 NE McKibben / Butts County / GA End Lat/Lon: 33.2848 / -84.0312 Survey Summary: Radar and ground survey confirm that a EF1 tornado briefly touched down west of I75 along Windy Lane. The tornado was part of a larger mesocyclone which can be traced west all the way back to the Selma Alabama tornado which spawned numerous tornadoes during its lifecycle. This particular tornado spun up quickly along Windy Lane before striking a large warehouse along Midway drive. Sections of the roof were torn off and thrown northeastward into the parking lot and nearby woods. The tornado snapped a few trees before crossing I75 just south of hwy 16 before crossing Mattie Thomason Road, Colwell Road and paralleling Hwy 16 snapping and uprooting trees along both sides of the highway. The tornado lifted after crossing Joe Lane road and around High Falls road. A brief TDS can be seen on radar shortly after the tornado hit the warehouse west of I75. ..Butts/Newton Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 95 mph Path Length /statute/: 9.93 miles Path Width /maximum/: 500 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 01/12/2023 Start Time: 04:49 PM EST Start Location: 3 SSW Fincherville / Butts County / GA Start Lat/Lon: 33.3649 / -83.9775 End Date: 01/12/2023 End Time: 04:57 PM EST End Location: 1 NW North Alcovy / Newton County / GA End Lat/Lon: 33.4371 / -83.8297 Survey Summary: Radar data, areal surveys and ground surveys confirm that the circulation which was the long track EF3 tornado through Griffin GA regenerated a tornado in NW Butts County after crossing out of Henry County. This tornado was part of a larger mesocyclone which can be traced west all the way back to the Selma Alabama tornado which spawned numerous tornadoes during its lifecycle. This particular tornado first touched West of Fincherville Rd snapping and uprooting numerous trees on both sides of the road and in the forest land to the west and east. The storm continued Northeast crossing Keys Ferry Road where much of the wind damage became intertwined with the long track tornado to the south of it. Damage was noted near Parker Rd and Hwy 36, Hwy 162 and Hwy 36 and along Hwy 36 just south of the Yellow River Bridge. The tornado paralleled Hwy 36 snapping and uprooting trees from Malcom Rd and Hwy 36 through Stewart Church Road, Heatherstone Way and the intersection of Hwy 212 and Hwy 36 where a barn was destroyed, several trees were snapped and uprooted, and a large section of roof was removed from a car wash. Severe tree damage and damage to a greenhouse and a few homes were noted along Stewart Church road. Areal survey confirms the tornado did not last long after crossing hwy 212 and lifted as it approached the Alcovy River. It should be noted that the damage from this tornado is very close to and possibly butting up against the damage area defined by the long track tornado which crossed through the Jackson Lake area. As a result, the damage area from both in some cases is nearly 2.5 miles across with swaths of more severe damage where the circulation of the actual tornado can be tracked. Combined with the severe winds and inflow winds, significant damage was noted all across this region of northern Butts, Southern Newton and western Jasper counties and much of the Jackson Lake area. .Wilcox Tornado #1... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 100 mph Path Length /statute/: 3.1 miles Path Width /maximum/: 100 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 01/12/2023 Start Time: 07:00 PM EST Start Location: 7 NNW Abbeville / Wilcox County / GA Start Lat/Lon: 32.0660 / -83.3810 End Date: 01/12/2023 End Time: 07:05 PM EST End Location: 8 N Abbeville / Wilcox County / GA End Lat/Lon: 32.1040 / -83.3520 Survey Summary: This tornado quickly touched down near the intersection of US Hwy 129 and Primrose Ln, where it caused extensive damage to a homestead along the road. The damage included several large trees uprooted, a silo moved and twisted off it's original location straining several metal bracers, a barn and 2 sheds that were destroyed, and moderate structural damage to a home with several structural pillars and columns displaced. The tornado then crossed east of the highway and moved into an inaccessible area near the Ocmulgee River. From there, radar data was used to estimate the rest of the path. Minor damage was found on the east side of the Ocmulgee River, but any continued path was inconclusive. .Wilcox Tornado #2... Rating: EF0 Estimated Peak Wind: 80 mph Path Length /statute/: 2.3 miles Path Width /maximum/: 200 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 01/12/2023 Start Time: 07:03 PM EST Start Location: 7 ESE Pineview / Wilcox County / GA Start Lat/Lon: 32.0860 / -83.3920 End Date: 01/12/2023 End Time: 07:07 PM EST End Location: 8 E Pineview / Wilcox County / GA End Lat/Lon: 32.1040 / -83.3610 Survey Summary: This tornado touched down along Ga Hwy 233, just southwest of US Hwy 129 near the Cedar Creek Baptist Church and Cemetery, where a couple dozen trees were snapped and uprooted along a northeastern path. Once the tornado crossed east of US Hwy 129, it moved into an inaccessible area near the Ocmulgee River. From there, radar data was used to estimate the rest of the path. Minor damage was found on the east side of the Ocmulgee River, but any continued path was inconclusive. .Crisp/Dooly Straight-Line Thunderstorm Wind Damage... Peak Wind /E/: 80 mph Path Length /statute/: 8.5 miles Path Width /maximum/: 4000 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 01/12/2023 Start Time: 06:35 PM EST Start Location: 3.5 N Cordele / Crisp County / GA Start Lat/Lon: 32.0200 / -83.7920 End Date: 01/12/2023 End Time: 06:47 PM EST End Location: 9 ESE Vienna / Dooly County / GA End Lat/Lon: 32.0390 / -83.6470 Survey Summary: A survey team was sent to examine damage along the Crisp and Dooly county line, where a mesocyclone was observed on radar. The survey team found a wide swath of damage, including dozens of trees down and 3 sheds/carports destroyed, primarily along and east of US Hwy 41 between Cordele and Vienna and along County Lin Rd east of Interstate 75, but damage was widely spread out and unidirectional. It is possible that a brief, weak tornado formed within the broader wind swath, but no discernible path was found. && EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories: EF0...Weak......65 to 85 mph EF1...Weak......86 to 110 mph EF2...Strong....111 to 135 mph EF3...Strong....136 to 165 mph EF4...Violent...166 to 200 mph EF5...Violent...>200 mph NOTE: The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to change pending final review of the events and publication in NWS Storm Data. $$