A warm front lifted northward through southern South Carolina and southeast Georgia during the morning, with a strong cold front then sweeping through the area during the evening. This resulted in several rounds of severe weather across the region.

Thunderstorm Wind in EFFINGHAM, GEORGIA
From 11-MAY-08 07:20:00 to 11-MAY-08 07:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: GUYTON
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Two trees were reported down in Guyton, Georgia.

Thunderstorm Wind in LIBERTY, GEORGIA
From 11-MAY-08 08:05:00 to 11-MAY-08 08:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: RICEBORO
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Emergency Manager and volunteer Fire personnel reported two trees down on power lines in Riceboro, Georgia.

Hail in LONG, GEORGIA
From 10-MAY-08 23:40:00 to 10-MAY-08 23:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: LUDOWICI
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Quarter size hail was reported by a trained weather spotter along the Wayne and Long County line.

Hail in LONG, GEORGIA
From 11-MAY-08 14:20:00 to 11-MAY-08 14:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: BAYVIEW
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Nickel size hail was reported by a trained weather spotter near the intersection of Highway 301 and Highway 57 in Ludowici, Georgia.

Hail in LONG, GEORGIA
From 11-MAY-08 14:22:00 to 11-MAY-08 14:22:00 (EST-5)
Location: BAYVIEW
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Quarter size hail was reported in Ludowici, Georgia.

Hail in MCINTOSH, GEORGIA
From 11-MAY-08 14:45:00 to 11-MAY-08 14:55:00 (EST-5)
Location: BELLEVIEW PT
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Quarter size hail was reported at the Dallas Bluff Marina and Campground.  The hail lasted for 10 minutes.

Hail in MCINTOSH, GEORGIA
From 11-MAY-08 14:59:00 to 11-MAY-08 14:59:00 (EST-5)
Location: DARIEN EDEN FLD
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Golf ball size hail was reported by a trained weather spotter 2 miles north-northwest of Darien, Georgia.

Hail in MCINTOSH, GEORGIA
From 11-MAY-08 14:59:00 to 11-MAY-08 14:59:00 (EST-5)
Location: DARIEN EDEN FLD
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Golf ball size hail was reported by a trained weather spotter 2 miles north-northwest of Darien, Georgia.

Lightning in EFFINGHAM, GEORGIA
From 11-MAY-08 06:45:00 to 11-MAY-08 06:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: GUYTON
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Lightning struck a house starting it on fire in Guyton, Georgia.

Thunderstorm Wind in JENKINS, GEORGIA
From 11-MAY-08 06:22:00 to 11-MAY-08 06:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: PARAMORE STATION
Magnitude: 96.00 EG
Property damage: 780.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Significant and widespread straight line wind damage occurred along a 16 mile path starting approximately 2.5 miles west of Thrift, Georgia and continuing to around 4.5 miles east of Millen, Georgia. Maximum sustained winds were estimated to be approximately 110 mph along this path. Between 50 and 60 homes were damaged with 10 to 12 of these homes completely destroyed. Damage also occurred to the Rose Mary Church and Oak Hill Church. There was one person that was injured as a result of the straight line wind damage.

Thunderstorm Wind in EVANS, GEORGIA
From 11-MAY-08 06:42:00 to 11-MAY-08 06:42:00 (EST-5)
Location: HAGAN
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

One tree was reported down on a power line in Claxton, Georgia.

Thunderstorm Wind in EVANS, GEORGIA
From 11-MAY-08 06:47:00 to 11-MAY-08 06:47:00 (EST-5)
Location: CLAXTON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Two trees were reported down on power lines on Easton Road and Metter Highway.

Thunderstorm Wind in TATTNALL, GEORGIA
From 11-MAY-08 06:50:00 to 11-MAY-08 06:55:00 (EST-5)
Location: HUGHLAND
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous trees were reported down between Reidsville and Glennville.  The Tattnall County Emergency Manager reported that all trees were blown down in one direction and consistent with straight line wind damage.

Thunderstorm Wind in BULLOCH, GEORGIA
From 11-MAY-08 07:15:00 to 11-MAY-08 07:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: ESLA
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Numerous downed trees were reported by a trained weather spotter 5 miles southeast of Denmark, Georgia.

Tornado in BULLOCH, GEORGIA
From 11-MAY-08 07:10:00 to 11-MAY-08 07:12:00 (EST-5)
Location: DENMARK
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 125.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A confirmed EF-1 Tornado touched down just to the east of Nevils, Georgia along Nesmith Proctor Road where a cluster of trees were snapped and blown down. The Tornado then moved rapidly east and crossed Interstate 16 near mile marker 125 where extensive tree damage occurred. The Tornado then moved across Highway 67 near Old Rocker Road where it partially destroyed the roof of a mobile home and damaged nearby trees. Finally the Tornado crossed Old Happy Road and moved through the Old Happy Farm where it completely destroyed a mobile home, several irrigation systems and a large storage shed before dissipating.
The total path length was approximately 2.25 miles and the maximum sustained winds were estimated between 105 and 110 mph. Although considerable damage occurred with the Tornado, there were no injuries.

Tornado in MCINTOSH, GEORGIA
From 11-MAY-08 08:52:00 to 11-MAY-08 09:07:00 (EST-5)
Location: DARIEN EDEN FLD
Tornado F-scale: EF4
Property damage: 12.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A survey team from the National Weather Service Office in Charleston, South Carolina along with other damage survey experts from across the country determined that the Tornado that struck McIntosh county Georgia on Sunday morning May 11, was a violent EF-4. The Tornado beginning and end times are based on radar data combined with credible ground truth reports.
The Tornado formed at 952 am, approximately 3 miles northwest of Darien, Georgia and tracked east about 11 miles before dissipating at 1007 am as a water spout in Doboy Sound.
The Tornado formed in a wooded area about a half mile west of Route 251 where numerous trees were snapped off. The Tornado strengthened rapidly as it approached and moved across Route 251.
The Tornado struck a Marine Sales and Services Business located on the east side of Route 251. The bolts for all but one of the anchored metal support beams for the metal building were snapped off just above the concrete slab. With the exception of the one metal support beam that was bent to the ground, the slab was wiped clean. Approximately 50 boats were tossed around and destroyed, with one 18 foot 4000 pound boast carried about 650 yards into some trees. A 32 foot 8000 pound boat was carried about 130 yards onto the top of the Gateway Behavioral Services Building. A vehicle that was parked in the parking lot was carried in the air 150 yards. One 125 horsepower boat motor weighing 300 to 350 pounds was carried 250 yards and deposited into the roof of a building. In addition, one of the boats had yet to be accounted for at the time the survey was conducted. Several other vehicles near the business were rolled or tossed and severely damaged or destroyed. No one was in the building at the time the Tornado struck and damage to the building and all the boats were estimated to be 5 million dollars.
Approximately 100 yards to the south-southeast of the Marine Sales and Services Building, the McIntosh Emergency Medical Services Building was destroyed by the Tornado with damage to three ambulances and one fire truck. Many of the metal support beams from this facility were torn from the concrete slab or snapped off. This building was rated for 120 mph winds. No one was in this building at the time of the Tornado because they were out on a non weather related call.
The Gateway Behavioral Health and Services Building was totally destroyed. This metal framed building with brick exterior was located about 100 yards east-northeast of the McIntosh Emergency Medical Services Building and 130 yards east-southeast of the Marine Sales and Services Building. The roof of the Gateway Building collapsed along with many of the outer brick walls. Many of the large load bearing metal beams were bent or knocked down. Portions of the metal roof were carried a mile away onto Interstate 95. Some of the roofing material was found 11 miles away on Sapelo Island. Of the 12 people that were in the building when the Tornado hit, 9 were injured sustaining broken bones and or lacerations. Six vehicles around this building were damaged or destroyed and a metal light pole and several trees were snapped off in this area.
Two other businesses in this area suffered damage including damage to satellite dishes and two overturned tractor trailers. Damage to the Marine Sales and Services Business and the Gateway Behavioral Health and Services Building indicated that EF-4 damage had occurred with winds estimated to be between 170 and 180 mph.
After leaving this area the Tornado traveled east and weakened. The Tornado reached its maximum width of 700 yards as it crossed Interstate 95, and then decreased in size and was mainly from 200 to 500 yards wide during the remainder of the path. The Tornado damaged or destroyed four billboards along Interstate 95, produced mainly minor roof damage to several dozen homes mainly in the Ridgeville area, snapped off or uprooted thousands of trees, some of them falling on homes or vehicles, and damaged or destroyed numerous outbuildings.
A resident of Ridgeville, Georgia whose home suffered minor damage in the Tornado, took shelter in a closet after seeing a National Weather Service Severe Weather Statement on the television mentioning that Ridgeville was in the path of the Tornado.
The Tornado also damaged the Blue-N-Hall Marina and Fishing Dock. In this area, a large boat hoist along with 18 boats and several boat trailers were damaged or destroyed. Several power poles were also snapped off and several vehicles were damaged. Numerous trees were also snapped off on Hird Island. The Tornado likely dissipated over Doboy Sound as a waterspout. Besides portions of the Gateway roof, lots of other debris including signs were deposited on Sapelo Island.

Tornado in JENKINS, GEORGIA
From 11-MAY-08 06:33:00 to 11-MAY-08 06:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: EMMALANE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A Tornado touched down near the community of Emmalane, Georgia around 733 AM EDT southwest of the intersection of US-25 and Old Savannah Road. The Tornado continued northeast 1.7 miles and had a maximum width of 1200 yards. The observed damage indicated that an EF-1 Tornado had occurred. The maximum sustained winds with the Tornado were estimated at 95 mph. Damage occurred to a mobile home where the roof was uplifted and the structure shifted from its foundation. There was also significant damage to nearby sheds and trees.

Thunderstorm Wind in BULLOCH, GEORGIA
From 11-MAY-08 07:13:00 to 11-MAY-08 07:13:00 (EST-5)
Location: ESLA
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Bulloch County Warning Point reported numerous trees down along Route 67 from near Interstate 16 to near the Bryan and Bulloch county line.

Thunderstorm Wind in SCREVEN, GEORGIA
From 11-MAY-08 06:50:00 to 11-MAY-08 06:56:00 (EST-5)
Location: LEWIS
Magnitude: 96.00 EG
Property damage: 275.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Straight line wind damage was observed 3 miles north of Sylvania, Georgia, beginning near Bascom Road and continuing east across Burtons Ferry Highway before ending east of the intersection of Route 24 and Friendship Road. The total length of straight line wind damage was approximately 5 miles, with a maximum width of 1000 yards. Nearly 20 homes sustained significant damage occurred to the greens at Briar Creek Country Club. Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted as well.

Tornado in TATTNALL, GEORGIA
From 11-MAY-08 06:39:00 to 11-MAY-08 06:44:00 (EST-5)
Location: COBBTOWN
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A confirmed EF-3 Tornado crossed into extreme northwestern Tattnall county from Toombs county, then continued east-southeastward into the community of Cobbtown, Georgia before turning east and dissipating. The first indications of significant damage, consistent with an EF-1 Tornado, occurred along Representative Kennedy Road where a mobile home was partially destroyed. A well defined path of debris was noted trailing southeast of this area across open farm fields. Several homes were also severely damaged with roofs blown off along Henry Moxley Road about 1 mile southeast of Representative Kennedy Road.
The Tornado continued to strengthen as it turned east toward Cobbtown, Georgia and peaked in intensity as it tracked near the intersection of Georgia State Highways 121 and 57. Here the Tornado completely leveled a brick convenience store and caused considerable damage to trees and nearby structures. Two people working in the store at the time of the Tornado were injured but not killed. The damage pattern in this area was consistent with an EF-3 Tornado with winds estimated between 140 and 150 mph. Also in this same general area, but south of the Tornado track there was evidence of a strong downburst. The winds were estimated to be around 100 mph with the downburst, likely associated with the rear flank downdraft of the Supercell Thunderstorm.
The Tornado continued to move east across open farm fields where extensive tree damage and minor structural damage consistent with an EF-1 and EF-0 Tornado was noted. The Tornado dissipated about 1.5 miles east of Cobbtown, however occasional bouts of non-tornadic straight line winds were observed across portions of northeast Tattnall County and northern Evans County near Undine, Georgia.
Maximum sustained winds were estimated between 140 and 150 mph with a maximum width of approximately 200 yards. Considerable damage was reported along the path of the Tornado, and although no one was killed, 2 people were injured.