Storm Damage - April 1997

Damage Reports

On Tuesday April 22, 1997 a severe weather outbreak occurred across our county warning area producing damaging winds, large hail and very heavy rainfall. During the 11 hour time period from 1 pm to midnight, the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, GA issued 86 severe thunderstorm warnings for counties in north and central Georgia, 3 tornado warnings, and over 25 other statements including; "short term" local forecast updates, special weather statements, severe weather statements, airport advisories. Also, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) in Norman, OK. issued 4 watches which included the north and central Georgia area.

a list of reported severe weather and damage

map showing how much of the area was affected

Based on preliminary storm reports, of the 89 Severe Tstm/Tornado warnings issued Tuesday afternoon and evening, 72 have been verified with "ground truth" i.e., a report of damage from winds, hail stones 3/4 inch diameter or greater, or a tornado witnessed on the ground. The remaining "unverified" warnings do not necessarily mean no severe weather occurred, just that no report has been received by the NWS. In any case, with 72 of 89 storms verified, this gives the NWS an 81% Probably of Detection (POD) of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. This score will likely increase as late reports are made available to the NWS.

Go to graphics page containing some pictures of storm damage.