Yet another deep upper trough was translating across the south central and southeast United States accompanied by a strong Pacific cold front.  Although instability was marginal for the time of year, the upper atmosphere was highly sheared with a strong low-level jet.  Showers and a few thunderstorms moved across the area during the day, but it was during the late evening hours when the front moved into the area from the west that strong to severe thunderstorms developed across eastern Alabama and moved into western Georgia.  The activity took on the form of a squall line with distinct bowing segments.  Two EF1 tornadoes were spawned within this line of thunderstorms causing considerable damage to homes and businesses in the Columbus and Woodstock areas.  The activity quickly dissipated shortly after midnight as it moved further east into central and northeast Georgia.

Funnel Cloud in COBB, GEORGIA
From 19-APR-09 21:50:00 to 19-APR-09 21:59:00 (EST-5)
Location: ELIZABETH
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Georgia Emergency Management Agency relayed reports of funnel clouds from northeast Cobb county near the Interstate 75 and Interstate 575 split.  A mesoscale circulation was clearly evident on Doppler radar in this area.

Tornado in CHEROKEE, GEORGIA
From 19-APR-09 22:00:00 to 19-APR-09 22:03:00 (EST-5)
Location: WOODSTOCK
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 5.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that an EF1 tornado touched down in far southeast Cherokee county near the Cobb county line in the Woodstock area.  The tornado touched down near the intersection of Georgia Highway 92 and Dial Drive, then continued north-northeast along Dial Drive crossing a large section of Coleman's Bluff.  The tornado lifted just south of the intersection of Windcrest Court and River Chase Drive.  The total path length of the tornado was 1.5 miles with a maximum path width of 1/2 mile or 880 yards.  Maximum winds were estimated to be 90 mph.  EF1 tornado damage to trees and structures was observed along a 3/4 mile-long path paralleling Dial Drive beginning just north of its intersection with Georgia Highway 92.  Damage was observed to 120 homes along the path of the tornado, 12 of which were completely destroyed.  The majority of the damage took place in the Coleman's Bluff area.  Most of the damage was the result of large trees falling on the structures.  Two residents of the affected homes were injured by debris.

Thunderstorm Wind in WALKER, GEORGIA
From 19-APR-09 09:40:00 to 19-APR-09 09:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: CEDAR GROVE
Magnitude: 35.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Walker County Emergency Management Director reported that a few trees were blown down in the southern part of the county.

Tornado in MUSCOGEE, GEORGIA
From 19-APR-09 22:35:00 to 19-APR-09 22:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: COLUMBUS
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 3.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia confirmed that an EF1 tornado, which initially touched down in Phenix City - Russell County, Alabama as an EF2 tornado at the intersection of Dillingham and Broad Streets, continued into Muscogee county, Georgia and the city of Columbus.  The total tornado path was determined to be approximately four miles in length, two of which fell within Muscogee county, Georgia.  The maximum path width was determined to be 250 yards with maximum winds estimated at 105 mph.  Damage within Georgia was first observed at Columbus State University.  Significant damage was observed to buildings and trees on the campus.  The Old Rankin Building, an older building which had been converted to dormitories, suffered substantial damage.  From this point, spotty tree, roof, and window damage was observed along the path of the tornado and it continued moving eastward.  At the intersection of 13th Street and 13th Avenue, a small utility truck used at a nursery had been picked up and moved at least 25 feet and through a neighboring fence.  Minor damage to displays, trees, and plants was also observed in the adjacent nursery.  From here to where the tornado lifted near the intersection of Macon Road and Preston Drive in Columbus, hundreds of large mature oak trees were either snapped or uprooted through Lake Bottom Park and Hilton Avenue and Harding Drive.  Extensive damage was observed to homes throughout this area, largely a result of the downed trees.  Many power lines were down along the path of the tornado as well.  Over 100 structures, including homes and businesses, suffered minor to moderate damage.