Severe storm system spawns tornadoes in Alabama and Georgia, U.S.

A powerful storm system has been wreaking havoc across the Gulf Coast for several days spawning a series of tornadoes and causing significant flash flooding across the Southeast. The tornado activity was concentrated in southern Alabama and Georgia, impacting rural communities.

In southern Georgia, the National Weather Service issued a Tornado Warning near Cogdell on Saturday afternoon, March 9 (LT). Coffee County emergency managers also reported a tornado touchdown west of Brixton earlier that day, which resulted in some roof damage.

Meanwhile, in Ward Bridge, Alabama, radar confirmed a tornado signature as spotters reported trees downed early Saturday morning, though no injuries were reported.

Additionally, in a rural area of Nahunta, Brantley County, Georgia, at least one mobile home was destroyed and several others damaged after a tornado swept through the area on Saturday afternoon. The event resulted in at least 15 people displaced and 500 without power.

“Heather Mikels was in a mobile home when the tornado hit,” Live Storms Media reported. “Her property sustained damage less than a block west of the mobile home that was completely destroyed. It’s not believed anyone was in the flattened structure when the tornado hit.”

The aftermath of these tornadoes has prompted the National Weather Service in Jacksonville to plan surveys in Southeast Georgia to assess the damage and confirm the number of tornadoes that occurred.

The storm system also brought torrential rains to South Carolina, leading to Flash Flooding Warnings in Charleston.

The combination of heavy rains, delivering nearly 50 mm (2 inches) in three hours, and high tides resulted in widespread flooding.

Police in Isle of Palms and Charleston reported numerous roads impassable or closed to smaller vehicles due to high water levels and flooding. North Charleston saw similar flooding issues, compounded by wind gusts of 65 – 94 km/h (40 – 58 mph) that caused additional damage, including blown-out windows at a downtown business.

Water-covered roads and flooding were also reported in Cordele and Georgetown, Georgia, and Geneva, Alabama.

References:

¹ Severe storms trigger tornadoes, flash flooding across Southeast Saturday – FOX Weather – March 10, 2024

² Dozens of homes damaged in Brantley County after possible tornado – News4JAX – March 9, 2024

Featured image credit: Live Storms Media (stillshot)