An upper trough was deepening over the Ohio Valley.  High pressure aloft over the southeast United States was weakening and shifting west into the southern plains.  The atmosphere across north and central Georgia became very unstable during the afternoon as temperatures soared into the mid 90s with dewpoints in the low and mid 70s.  This combined with weak mesoscale boundaries set the stage for scattered to numerous thunderstorms to develop by mid-afternoon.  The hot temperatures allowed the activity to continue well into the evening and beyond sunset.  The activity initially began around the periphery of the upper high to the west in east Georgia then spread southward from Tennessee into north Georgia later and continued propagating southward during the evening hours.  Several downbursts were reported resulting in a number of downed trees and power lines, especially across north and east Georgia.  A few marginal severe hail events were also observed.

Thunderstorm Wind in OCONEE, GEORGIA
From 21-JUL-08 19:10:00 to 21-JUL-08 19:11:00 (EST-5)
Location: WATKINSVILLE
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 35.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public reported that two grain silos on South Milledge Road between Watkinsville and the Clarke county line were blown over onto the road.  Several power lines were also down in the area.

Thunderstorm Wind in MURRAY, GEORGIA
From 21-JUL-08 18:30:00 to 21-JUL-08 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: CISCO
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Murray County 911 Center reported that many trees and power lines were down across the county.  Radar data suggests that most of this occurred in the western half of the county.

Thunderstorm Wind in WHITFIELD, GEORGIA
From 21-JUL-08 18:30:00 to 21-JUL-08 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: DAWNVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Whitfield County Emergency Management Director reported that several trees and power lines were down across the eastern portion of the county near the Murray county line.

Thunderstorm Wind in TELFAIR, GEORGIA
From 21-JUL-08 19:25:00 to 21-JUL-08 19:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: LUMBER CITY
Magnitude: 48.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Telfair County 911 Center reported that up to four trees were down in the Lumber City area, one of which was actually in Wheeler county.  One of the trees were down on a roadway.  In addition, one power line was also down in the area.

Hail in TWIGGS, GEORGIA
From 21-JUL-08 18:10:00 to 21-JUL-08 18:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: DRY BRANCH
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Twiggs County Emergency Management Director reported penny-sized hail from the Dry Branch area along the Bibb/Twiggs county line.

Hail in BIBB, GEORGIA
From 21-JUL-08 18:14:00 to 21-JUL-08 18:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: DRY BRANCH
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Twiggs County Emergency Management Director reported penny-sized hail in the Dry Branch area long the Bibb/Twiggs county line.

Thunderstorm Wind in DODGE, GEORGIA
From 21-JUL-08 19:10:00 to 21-JUL-08 19:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: CHAUNCEY
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Dodge County Emergency Management Director reported that thunderstorm downburst winds resulted in significant damage to property, trees, and power lines across the southern part of the county, including the cities of Chauncey, Milan, and Rhine.  Much of the damage was concentrated near Georgia Highway 165.  On McCraine Lane in Chauncey, the roof of a house was damaged, a barn was damaged, and a storage shelter was destroyed.  Several trees and power lines were also down at this residence.  On Georgia Highway 165 between Chauncey and Rhine, the Faith Ministries building sustained damage to the back wall and roof.  Also on Georgia Highway 165 between Chauncey and Rhine, a grain bin was destroyed.  Finally, along Oak Grove Church Road and Friendship Road, also between Chauncey and Rhine, several barns sustained damage along with minor damage to homes and power service lines.

Hail in CLARKE, GEORGIA
From 21-JUL-08 19:08:00 to 21-JUL-08 19:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: WHITEHALL
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public observed penny to nickel-sized hail in southern Clarke county, just south of the University of Georgia and the city of Athens in the Whitehall area.

Thunderstorm Wind in WHITE, GEORGIA
From 21-JUL-08 19:14:00 to 21-JUL-08 19:23:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROBERTSTOWN
Magnitude: 39.00 EG
Property damage: 0.75K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The Sautee Cooperative Observer conducted a damage survey across the north and east part of the county and found three large trees down, two down on the highway just east of Sautee on Georgia Highway 17 and another along Georgia Highway 255 east of Stovall Mill.  Several tree limbs and branches were also down between Robertstown, Cleveland, and areas east of Sautee.

Thunderstorm Wind in TOOMBS, GEORGIA
From 21-JUL-08 17:55:00 to 21-JUL-08 18:02:00 (EST-5)
Location: NEW BRANCH
Magnitude: 54.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Toombs County Emergency Management Director reported that many trees and power lines were blown down in a small area just east-northeast of New Branch from a thunderstorm downburst.  Georgia Highways 56 and 178 were both blocked from downed trees.  In addition, the roof was blown off an abandoned mobile home in the area.

Thunderstorm Wind in WALTON, GEORGIA
From 21-JUL-08 18:10:00 to 21-JUL-08 18:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: GRATIS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public reported that many trees and power lines were blown down in the far northeast corner of the county near the Oconee county line.

Thunderstorm Wind in WALKER, GEORGIA
From 21-JUL-08 18:00:00 to 21-JUL-08 18:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: COOPER HGTS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Walker County 911 Center reported that a roof was blown off a barn along Georgia Highway 136 northwest of LaFayette and landed in the middle of the highway.  Numerous trees were also down in the same general area.

Thunderstorm Wind in TWIGGS, GEORGIA
From 21-JUL-08 17:45:00 to 21-JUL-08 18:02:00 (EST-5)
Location: JEFFERSONVILLE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Twiggs County 911 Center reported that several trees and power lines were blown down along U.S. Highway 80 between Jeffersonville and Dry Branch.  Radar data clearly showed a downburst in this area with base velocities in excess of 60 mph in this area.

Thunderstorm Wind in PUTNAM, GEORGIA
From 21-JUL-08 20:20:00 to 21-JUL-08 21:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: REIDS CROSSROADS
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Putnam County Emergency Management Director reported that numerous trees and power lines were blown down throughout the county.  Wind gusts were estimated to be 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in CRAWFORD, GEORGIA
From 21-JUL-08 22:00:00 to 21-JUL-08 22:11:00 (EST-5)
Location: MUSELLA
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Crawford County 911 Center reported that many trees were down across the northern end of the county.

Hail in HANCOCK, GEORGIA
From 21-JUL-08 15:35:00 to 21-JUL-08 15:39:00 (EST-5)
Location: SPARTA
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Hancock County Emergency Management Director observed penny-sized hail in downtown Sparta at the court house.

Thunderstorm Wind in HANCOCK, GEORGIA
From 21-JUL-08 15:30:00 to 21-JUL-08 15:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: SPARTA
Magnitude: 39.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Hancock County 911 Center reported that up to four trees were down, a couple on power lines.

Thunderstorm Wind in CATOOSA, GEORGIA
From 21-JUL-08 17:33:00 to 21-JUL-08 17:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: FT OGLETHORPE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public reported that eight apple and peach trees were snapped off and a flag was blown off a flag pole in the Fort Oglethorpe area.

Thunderstorm Wind in BLECKLEY, GEORGIA
From 21-JUL-08 18:15:00 to 21-JUL-08 18:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: COCHRAN
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Bleckley County 911 Center reported that several trees and power lines were blown down in the far southwest corner of the county, south of Cochran near the Dodge and Pulaski county lines.  One barn also suffered significant damage.

Hail in BLECKLEY, GEORGIA
From 21-JUL-08 18:20:00 to 21-JUL-08 18:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: COCHRAN
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public observed quarter to half dollar-sized hail in the far southern part of the county, south of Cochran, near the Dodge and Pulaski county lines.  At least one vehicle was damaged as a result.

Hail in NEWTON, GEORGIA
From 21-JUL-08 19:40:00 to 21-JUL-08 19:44:00 (EST-5)
Location: ALCOVY
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public observed penny to quarter-sized hail in northeast Newton county near Alcovy.

Thunderstorm Wind in MORGAN, GEORGIA
From 21-JUL-08 19:56:00 to 21-JUL-08 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: MADISON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Morgan County 911 Center reported that several trees and power lines were blown down in the western part of the county west of Madison and southeast of Centennial.

Thunderstorm Wind in OGLETHORPE, GEORGIA
From 21-JUL-08 19:51:00 to 21-JUL-08 20:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: CRAWFORD
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Oglethorpe County 911 Center reported that up to seven trees were blown down along Georgia Highway 77.

Thunderstorm Wind in JASPER, GEORGIA
From 21-JUL-08 20:10:00 to 21-JUL-08 20:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: FARRAR
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Jasper County 911 Center reported that at least a dozen trees were blown down across the county as thunderstorms moved across the county from north to south.

Hail in OCONEE, GEORGIA
From 21-JUL-08 19:40:00 to 21-JUL-08 19:48:00 (EST-5)
Location: FARMINGTON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public observed quarter-sized hail in southern Oconee county.  Radar data indicated that this was mostly in the Farmington area southward toward the Greene county border.

Thunderstorm Wind in OCONEE, GEORGIA
From 21-JUL-08 19:57:00 to 21-JUL-08 20:02:00 (EST-5)
Location: ALLEN
Magnitude: 39.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Oconee County 911 Center reported that a couple of trees and power lines were down in the southeast part of the county, southeast of Watkinsville.