February 21, 2014 Severe Weather

Severe Weather Hits North and Central Georgia
February 21, 2014

On the evening of February 20^th, a line of severe thunderstorms developed across the Lower Mississippi River Valley ahead of an advancing cold front. The line of storms evolved into a Quasi Linear Convective System (QLCS) as it moved into eastern Mississippi and western Alabama. The thunderstorms moved into extreme northwest Georgia just after midnight. The first Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for Dade and Walker counties just before 12:30AM on Friday, February 21, 2014. With this storm, a tree that fell on a home on Newsome Gap Road briefly trapped the homeowner. In addition, multiple trees were downed across Dade County as the storm system marched eastward.

The next round of severe thunderstorm warnings were issued just after 2 AM for Catoosa, Chattooga, Murray, Walker and Whitfield Counties. Multiple trees were downed near Ringgold and Lafayette. Marble sized hail was reported in Dalton around 2:30 AM. The line of storms dropped southward into Floyd and Gilmer Counties, downing trees and power lines.

The QLCS line moved into the metro Atlanta area just before 4 AM downing trees in Cobb County near Marietta. Dobbins Air Force Base also reported a wind gust to 50 knots. As the line moved south of the Atlanta metro area, it weakened a bit, but was still producing some gusty winds and occasional lightning strikes.

Just after 8 AM, the line began to strengthen again as it moved into south central Georgia. Two Tornado Warnings were issued, the first being disseminated at 8:23 AM for Laurens and Johnson Counties. The second Tornado Warning was issued at 8:48 AM as the storm moved east into Emanuel and Jefferson Counties. The Laurens County Emergency Manager reports that numerous trees have been snapped and uprooted and fallen onto homes in the Holly Hills subdivision. In addition, a house was destroyed on Claxton Road just east of the Dublin County Airport. In Johnson County, twelve structures were damaged along with a barn and several outbuildings.

Surface Map

06Z Fri, Feb 21, 2014

Radar Imagery
1316-1347Z KJGX Reflectivity Animation	1316-1347Z KJGX Velocity Animation
Tornado debris was detected by the NWS radar near Jeffersonville, GA. Here's some more information on how meteorologists detect and apply the "Tornadic Debris Signature".

Damage Photos
Laurens County	Laurens County
Johnson County	Johnson County
Dublin, GA (Laurens County)