A large and intense area of low pressure lifted northward through the central Appalachians, dragging a strong cold front toward southern South Carolina and southeast Georgia. The combination of the approaching cold front along with strong dynamic forcing and plenty of instability resulted in a widespread organized severe weather outbreak across the region.

Tornado in EFFINGHAM, GEORGIA
From 15-MAR-08 20:44:00 to 15-MAR-08 20:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: RINCON
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 3.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF2 Tornado was confirmed by a Storm Survey conducted by the Charleston, South Carolina National Weather Service Forecast Office. The Tornado touched down in Effingham county 3.5 miles northeast of Rincon, Georgia and just northwest of the Georgia Power McIntosh Plant around 944 PM EDT and traveled southeast approximately a half a mile before lifting at 945 PM EDT. This Tornado destroyed a water cooling tower, damaged another water cooling tower and several buildings, toppled two high voltage transmission towers, knocked down or uprooted several dozen trees, tossed tractor trailer cargo containers with equipment inside up to 100 yards. In addition, at the time of the survey one of the tractor trailer containers could not be found. A steel hoist roof assembly weighing a couple thousand pounds used to load and unload heavy items was tossed 100 feet. This tornado was up to 100 yards wide and had maximum sustained winds estimated between 120 and 130 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in EFFINGHAM, GEORGIA
From 15-MAR-08 20:38:00 to 15-MAR-08 20:38:00 (EST-5)
Location: LORENZO
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 1.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained weather spotter reported trees down on Stillwell-Clyo Road near Logs Landing Road, 3 miles east-southeast of Clyo, Georgia.

Funnel Cloud in EFFINGHAM, GEORGIA
From 15-MAR-08 20:20:00 to 15-MAR-08 20:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: KILDARE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained weather spotter reported a funnel cloud 2 miles east of Oliver, Georgia.

Hail in EFFINGHAM, GEORGIA
From 15-MAR-08 20:33:00 to 15-MAR-08 20:33:00 (EST-5)
Location: CLYO
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained weather spotter reported nickel sized hail in Clyo, Georgia.

Hail in CHATHAM, GEORGIA
From 15-MAR-08 21:43:00 to 15-MAR-08 21:43:00 (EST-5)
Location: PORT WENTWORTH
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A public report of quarter sized hail was received in Port Wentworth, Georgia.

Hail in EFFINGHAM, GEORGIA
From 15-MAR-08 21:43:00 to 15-MAR-08 21:43:00 (EST-5)
Location: RINCON
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A public report of golf ball sized hail was reported in Rincon, Georgia.

Thunderstorm Wind in BULLOCH, GEORGIA
From 15-MAR-08 20:10:00 to 15-MAR-08 20:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: STATESBORO MUNI ARPT
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

Tree limbs were reported down on power lines on Highway 301 North, 5 miles northeast of Statesboro, Georgia.

Thunderstorm Wind in SCREVEN, GEORGIA
From 15-MAR-08 20:15:00 to 15-MAR-08 20:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: DOVER
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Post Office

A post office employee reported a power line down in front of the Paradise Motel in Dover, Georgia.

Funnel Cloud in JENKINS, GEORGIA
From 15-MAR-08 20:11:00 to 15-MAR-08 20:11:00 (EST-5)
Location: SCARBORO
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Screven County 911 relayed a public report of funnel clouds moving toward Rocky Ford, Georgia.

Tornado in EFFINGHAM, GEORGIA
From 15-MAR-08 20:34:00 to 15-MAR-08 20:43:00 (EST-5)
Location: SPRINGFIELD
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 1.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF2 Tornado was confirmed by a Storm Survey conducted by the Charleston, South Carolina National Weather Service Forecast Office. The Tornado touched down in Effingham county 1 mile northeast of Springfield, Georgia at 934 PM EDT and traveled southeast approximately 7 miles before lifting at 943 PM EDT about 6 miles east-southeast of Springfield, Georgia. This Tornado destroyed three mobile homes, damaged three to four dozen homes, knocked down 15 high voltage transmission towers, destroyed or damaged 20 vehicles, destroyed numerous outbuildings, sheds, and barns. Five people were injured when the mobile home they were in was blown over and rolled a time or two. Another person was injured when they drove a car into a tree that had fallen across the road. This tornado was a quarter mile wide at its widest point when it crossed Ebenezer Road and had maximum sustained winds estimated between 110 and 120 mph.