A deep upper trough was aligned along the east coast of the U.S.  Meanwhile, a vigorous closed low was diving southeast from the mid U.S. toward the southeast U.S. A cold front accompanied the leading upper trough and was moving through central Georgia early on March 1st as a low pressure system developed along the Georgia and South Carolina coast during the early morning hours of March 1st.  Strong dynamics combined with moderate instability and abundant Gulf moisture to keep showers and thunderstorms going through much of the early morning hours of March 1st.  Several of these storms became strong and required warnings, including one tornado warning.  However, only one storm produced marginally severe penny-sized hail.
The bigger impact from this event was heavy rain.  Several inches of rain fell across much of central Georgia in the two-day period of February 27th and 28th.  Moderate to heavy snow fell in much of north central and northeast Georgia late on the 28th.  The heavy rain and subsequent snow melt caused several creeks and streams to rise, with some exceeding bankful during this time frame.  Flooding continued through March 3rd in some areas.

Hail in EMANUEL, GEORGIA
From 01-MAR-09 05:20:00 to 01-MAR-09 05:26:00 (EST-5)
Location: MODOC
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public observed penny-sized hail on the north side of Swainsboro.

Flood in WILKES, GEORGIA
From 01-MAR-09 00:04:00 to 02-MAR-09 20:12:00 (EST-5)
Location: FICKLIN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Flooding was observed in western Washington county along the Little River, which forms the border between Washington and Taliaferro counties.  The river exceeded the flood stage of 19.0 feet at 1204 am EST on March 1st and remained above flood stage until 912 pm EST on March 2nd.  The river crested at 22.5 feet on March 1st at 845 am EST.  Damage was confined to minor debris removal.

Flood in WASHINGTON, GEORGIA
From 02-MAR-09 19:03:00 to 07-MAR-09 15:55:00 (EST-5)
Location: HARRISON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Flooding was observed along the Oconee River at Oconee for several days.  The river gage along the Washington/Wilkinson county line near the city of Oconee reached flood stage at 703 pm EST on March 2nd and remained above flood stage until 355 pm EST on March 7th.  The river crested at 21.3 feet on March 4th at 400 am EST.  Damage was confined to minor debris removal.

Flood in SPALDING, GEORGIA
From 01-MAR-09 09:15:00 to 03-MAR-09 02:52:00 (EST-5)
Location: DIGBEY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Flooding was observed along the Flint River, which forms the western border of Spalding county.  The Flint River at Lovejoy just above Spalding county exceeded the flood stage of 12.0 feet at 915 am EST on March 1st.  Flooding continued until 252 am EST on March 3rd.  The river crested in this area at 12.9 feet on March 2, 2009.  Damage was limited to minor debris removal.

Flood in WILKINSON, GEORGIA
From 02-MAR-09 19:03:00 to 07-MAR-09 15:55:00 (EST-5)
Location: TOOMSBORO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Flooding was observed along the Oconee River at Oconee for several days.  The river gage along the Washington/Wilkinson county line near the city of Oconee reached flood stage at 703 pm EST on March 2nd and remained above flood stage until 355 pm EST on March 7th.  The river crested at 21.3 feet on March 4th at 400 am EST.  Damage was confined to minor debris removal.