A deep upper trough was digging southward from the Great Lakes toward the southeast.  This was pushing a cold front toward Georgia from the northwest.  Southwest to northeast oriented bands of thunderstorms developed across mainly north central and northwest Georgia during the afternoon and evening.  These thunderstorms brought heavy rainfall of two to four inches in some north central and northwest Georgia counties.  One storm in Gilmer county produced damaging wind gusts.  Considerable cloud-to-ground lightning was observed with these thunderstorms, resulting in several house fires in the north Atlanta metropolitan area.

Lightning in CHEROKEE, GEORGIA
From 20-AUG-09 22:32:00 to 20-AUG-09 22:32:00 (EST-5)
Location: VICTORIA
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

The Cherokee Tribune reported that lightning struck a home on Eagle Drive in the Towne Lake area near Canton.  A fire resulted, beginning in the floor truss between the first and second floors of the home.  The fire was quickly extinguished.  The home suffered minor damage to the exterior walls.  No injuries were reported.

Heavy Rain in PICKENS, GEORGIA
From 20-AUG-09 15:57:00 to 20-AUG-09 16:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: BLAINE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Gilmer County Emergency Management Director reported that one road along the Pickens/Gilmer county line was flooded as rainfall of up to 2.5 inches fell in the area in approximately 30 minutes.  The road was temporarily closed.

Lightning in CHEROKEE, GEORGIA
From 20-AUG-09 15:18:00 to 20-AUG-09 15:18:00 (EST-5)
Location: GREELEY
Property damage: 300.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

The Cherokee Tribune reported that lightning struck a home on Barron Road in the Salacoa Valley area north of Waleska.  The fire burned the kitchen and attic.  The remainder of the home suffered extensive smoke, heat, and water damage.  The contents of the home were ruined.  No injuries were reported, however.

Thunderstorm Wind in WHITFIELD, GEORGIA
From 20-AUG-09 17:10:00 to 20-AUG-09 18:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: COHUTTA
Magnitude: 36.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Whitfield County 911 Center reported that two trees were down, one near Cohutta and another near Dalton, as thunderstorms moved through the county.  The tree near Cohutta also brought down a power line when it fell.

Lightning in GWINNETT, GEORGIA
From 20-AUG-09 21:10:00 to 20-AUG-09 21:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROSEBUD
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

The Atlanta-Journal Constitution reported that lightning struck a home on Lenora Church Road at Lee Road, just south of Snellville.  The resulting fire, which started in the bedroom, was quickly extinguished.  However, the remainder of the home suffered extensive heat and smoke damage.  The three occupants escaped uninjured.

Lightning in GWINNETT, GEORGIA
From 20-AUG-09 22:00:00 to 20-AUG-09 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BUFORD
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

The Atlanta-Journal Constitution reported that lightning struck a home in the 7000 block of River Island Circle.  A portion of the roof and an exterior wall were set on fire before the fire was extinguished.  The structure suffered minor structural damage.

Thunderstorm Wind in GILMER, GEORGIA
From 20-AUG-09 16:33:00 to 20-AUG-09 16:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROUNDTOP
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Gilmer County Emergency Management Director reported that at least 10 trees were down across mainly the western portion of the county from the southwest corner at the Pickens county line to just northeast of Ellijay.