GILMER COUNTY, Ga. — The National Weather Service released a new report of storm damage from earlier this month, confirming that eight tornadoes ripped across the state, four of which were in Gilmer County.
The severe weather occurred on the night of Wednesday, May 8, through May 9. Surveys were conducted by NWS, Gilmer County Emergency Management, and the Georgia Forestry Commission of the damage.
All four short-lived Gilmer County tornadoes are believed to have spawned from the same complex of storms. The first was already confirmed in the days following the tornado event, and this new report from the NWS confirms the three additional tornadoes.
Details for each one are below.
Ellington Road / Old Highway 5 South Tornado (previously confirmed)
Rating: EF1
Peak wind: 100 mph
Path length: 0.64 miles
Path width: 150 yards
11:42 - 11:44 p.m.
The tornado destroyed parts of two single-story storage units made of tin/metal as well as a Georgia Forestry building that houses large equipment. As the tornado cross Old Highway 5 South, additional minor roof damage along with a few small to medium trees snapped. The last of this damage was seen near the CSX Railroad just north of the Progress Road and Casey Drive intersection.
Tails Creek Road tornado
Rating: EF1
Peak wind: 90 mph
Path length: 0.76 miles
Path width: 200 yards
11:26 - 11:28 p.m.
A "fairly significant yet brief swath of damage" was located on either side of Tails Creek Road (Hwy 282). Most of the damage was to trees - hundreds were either snapped or uprooted.
Weeks Road / Little Brook Farm tornado
Rating: EF0
Peak wind: 85 mph
Path length: 0.98 miles
Path width: 250 yards
11:46 - 11:48 p.m.
Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted on the property of Little Brook Farm. Additional tree damage, some down on homes, occurred as the tornado crossed Weeks Road and Carson Cove Road.
Owltown Road to Mt. Zion Road tornado
Rating: EF0
Peak wind: 85 mph
Path length: 1.94 miles
Path width: 200 yards
11:51 - 11:54 p.m.
Numerous trees were either snapped or uprooted on either side of Owltown Road. More tree damage was found along Mt. Zion Road.