A hot, very moist, tropical air mass remained in place across the region.  The persistent subtropical ridge had shifted just to the southeast of Georgia.  A cold front was near the Georgia-Tennessee border.  The front, when combined with daytime heating and the very unstable, hot air mass, provided the necessary lift for widespread and numerous showers and thunderstorms.  It turned out to be the most active day for severe thunderstorms during the month of July.  Many of the storms produced damaging downburst wind gusts, marginally severe hail, and excessive cloud-to-ground lightning.  Flash flooding was also observed with a couple of the storms.  One early morning isolated storm over Coweta county, just southwest of Atlanta, produced three to four inches of rain in a couple of hours as it persisted over the same areas near Newnan in the very early morning hours after midnight.  Flash flooding was again observed later in the day across Gwinnett county northeast of Atlanta.
Lightning was particularly intense with the thunderstorms during the afternoon of the 26th.  Gwinnett county emergency management reported 14 house fires, one business fire, and two apartment fires between 430 pm and 8 pm EDT.
In addition to the severe thunderstorms and intense lightning, very hot conditions continued across the area, especially central Georgia.  High temperatures in parts of central Georgia reached or exceeded 100 degrees, with heat index values nearing 110 during the afternoon.  The intense heat took the life of yet another individual in central Georgia, this time in Twiggs county.  A 47-year old female died on her unshaded front porch just outside Jeffersonville, where the temperature at noon was observed to be 99 degrees.

Hail in JACKSON, GEORGIA
From 26-JUL-10 15:35:00 to 26-JUL-10 15:38:00 (EST-5)
Location: NICHOLSON
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public observed penny to nickel-sized hail in the southeast part of the county, four to five miles south of Nicholson.  Two trees were also blown down near the intersection of U.S. Highway 441 and Georgia Highway 334.

Thunderstorm Wind in DAWSON, GEORGIA
From 26-JUL-10 13:59:00 to 26-JUL-10 14:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BRIGHT
Magnitude: 39.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Dawson County Emergency Management Director reported that two trees were blown down along Old Savannah Place off Thompson Road.  One of the trees fell on a trailer causing significant damage to the trailer and injuring a woman inside.

Thunderstorm Wind in COBB, GEORGIA
From 26-JUL-10 16:08:00 to 26-JUL-10 16:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: SANDY PLAINS
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Cobb County 911 Center reported that several trees and a few power lines were blown down in the northeast part of the county in the Roswell Road area.  The public measured a wind gust of 63 mph in the Oakdale and Rose Garden subdivisions.

Flash Flood in COWETA, GEORGIA
From 26-JUL-10 02:04:00 to 26-JUL-10 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: DRESDEN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

A cluster of thunderstorms developed across central Coweta county shortly just after midnight on July 25th and persisted around Newnan for two to three hours.  Three to four inches of rain fell in this area during this time frame resulting in flash flooding and flooding of streets and property.  Flash flooding was observed along several roads around Newnan, including McCullom-Sharpsburg Road/Georgia Highway 154, Thomason Road, East Broad Street, Jefferson Street, and Postal Parkway.  Walt Sanders Road, just off Georgia Highway 34, was closed with one to two feet of water over it as well.  Damage was confined to minor debris removal in the flooded areas.

Heat in TWIGGS, GEORGIA
From 26-JUL-10 11:00:00 to 26-JUL-10 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that a 47-year old female of Jeffersonville passed away from heat exposure.  She was found sitting on her unshaded porch outside her home.  The temperature in the area that day was already 99 degrees at noon.  Subsequent medical examination determined that the individual died from a cardiac event, induced by the intense heat.

Thunderstorm Wind in CATOOSA, GEORGIA
From 26-JUL-10 14:19:00 to 26-JUL-10 14:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: BOYD HIGHLANDS
Magnitude: 39.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Catoosa County Emergency Management Director reported that a large tree had fallen on a home on Stanley Parkway, approximately six miles northwest of Ringgold.  Considerable damage was noted to the structure.  Pea-sized hail was also observed in the area.

Thunderstorm Wind in FLOYD, GEORGIA
From 26-JUL-10 16:00:00 to 26-JUL-10 16:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROSEMONT PARK
Magnitude: 37.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Floyd County 911 Center reported that three trees were down in Rome, one tree was down in Lindale, and another tree was down in Cave Spring during a 30-minute time frame from 500 pm to 530 pm EDT.  Two trees were down at the intersection of Horseleg and River Streets and another tree was down on Crane Street in Rome.

Lightning in GWINNETT, GEORGIA
From 26-JUL-10 17:38:00 to 26-JUL-10 17:38:00 (EST-5)
Location: GLOSTER
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Gwinnett County Emergency Management Director reported that lightning struck a two-story wood frame home on Mill Bend Drive in Lawrenceville.  Firefighters found the attic and a bedroom on fire when they arrived.

Hail in FORSYTH, GEORGIA
From 26-JUL-10 16:10:00 to 26-JUL-10 16:13:00 (EST-5)
Location: DREW
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public observed quarter-sized hail in the far southern part of the county along the Fulton county line near and southeast of Brookwood.

Hail in FULTON, GEORGIA
From 26-JUL-10 16:00:00 to 26-JUL-10 16:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: ALPHARETTA
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public observed quarter to half-dollar-sized hail from the Johns Creek area to the east side of Alpharetta.  One tree was also blown down near the intersection of Pine Lake Drive and Merlendale Drive, just south-southwest of Sandy Springs.

Thunderstorm Wind in GWINNETT, GEORGIA
From 26-JUL-10 16:02:00 to 26-JUL-10 16:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: LILBURN
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Gwinnett County 911 Center reported that several power lines were down near Rockbridge Road and Lawrenceville Highway near Lilburn.  A large tree fell on a vehicle at the entrance to the Idlewylde Apartments on Boggs Road in Duluth.  The adult male inside was pinned in the vehicle and had to be extricated by fire officials.  Two power lines were also down on South Old Peachtree Road just east-northeast of Duluth.  At least one tree was also down on Princess South, just northeast of Lilburn.

Lightning in GWINNETT, GEORGIA
From 26-JUL-10 17:04:00 to 26-JUL-10 17:04:00 (EST-5)
Location: MECHANICSVILLE
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Gwinnett County Emergency Management Director reported that a lightning strike to an apartment on Concepts Drive in Norcross resulted in minor smoke damage to the structure.  No fire was observed upon arrival by the firefighters.

Lightning in PICKENS, GEORGIA
From 26-JUL-10 14:14:00 to 26-JUL-10 14:14:00 (EST-5)
Location: JASPER
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that a double lightning bolt struck a 66-acre farm just north of Jasper killing four thoroughbred horses valued over $100,000.  The lightning bolts apparently hit the pasture where the horses were grazing and traveled through a drainage pipe that ran underneath a dam where the horses were standing at the time of the incident.

Hail in GWINNETT, GEORGIA
From 26-JUL-10 15:40:00 to 26-JUL-10 16:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: DULUTH
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public observed penny-sized hail from southeast of Duluth northwest to near the Fulton county line.  Hail was observed on Pleasant Hill and Club Drive southeast of Duluth.

Thunderstorm Wind in HOUSTON, GEORGIA
From 26-JUL-10 19:00:00 to 26-JUL-10 19:02:00 (EST-5)
Location: WARNER ROBINS
Magnitude: 39.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Houston County 911 Center reported that five trees were blown down around the city of Warner Robins.

Thunderstorm Wind in BALDWIN, GEORGIA
From 26-JUL-10 19:18:00 to 26-JUL-10 19:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: UNDERWOOD
Magnitude: 39.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Baldwin County 911 Center reported that three trees were blown down near Underwood.

Lightning in GWINNETT, GEORGIA
From 26-JUL-10 16:21:00 to 26-JUL-10 16:21:00 (EST-5)
Location: DULUTH
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Gwinnett County Emergency Management Director reported that a one-story business was struck and set on fire by lightning on Howell Street in Duluth.  The attic suffered extensive damage from the fire.

Thunderstorm Wind in CARROLL, GEORGIA
From 26-JUL-10 16:30:00 to 26-JUL-10 16:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: BOWDON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 7.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Carroll County Emergency Management Director reported that several trees and power lines were blown down in the southern part of the county, mostly southeast of Bowdon.  A few trees and tree limbs were also down in and around Carrollton.  A barn just southeast of Bowdon lost parts of its roof from strong thunderstorm wind gusts.

Flash Flood in GWINNETT, GEORGIA
From 26-JUL-10 18:30:00 to 26-JUL-10 21:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: NORCROSS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The USGS stream gage on Sweetwater Creek at Club Drive (STWG1) reached its flood stage of 11.0 feet at 730 pm EDT.  The creek remained in flood until 935 pm EDT.  Damage was confined to minor debris removal near the creek.

Heavy Rain in COWETA, GEORGIA
From 26-JUL-10 01:05:00 to 26-JUL-10 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: NEWNAN
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

A cluster of thunderstorms developed across central Coweta county shortly just after midnight on July 25th and persisted around Newnan for two to three hours.  Three to four inches of rain fell in this area during this time frame resulting in flash flooding and flooding of streets and property.  Shenadoah Boulevard near the White Oak Golf Course was flooded with up to four feet of water flowing over the road.  Several other roads in the area were flooded with up to two feet of water over some of these as well.  A resident of Newnan reported that water was two feet deep in his yard on Prestwick Drive.  Flash flooding was observed along McCullom-Sharpsburg Road or Georgia Highway 154, Thomason Road, East Broad Street, Jefferson Street, and Postal Parkway.  Walt Sanders Road, just off Georgia Highway 34, was closed with one to two feet of water over it as well.  Damage was confined to minor debris removal in the flooded areas.

Lightning in GWINNETT, GEORGIA
From 26-JUL-10 17:38:00 to 26-JUL-10 17:38:00 (EST-5)
Location: LUXOMNI
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Gwinnett County Emergency Management Director reported that lightning struck a home on Paisley Court in Lilburn.  The resulting fire destroyed the single-story wood-frame home.

Lightning in GWINNETT, GEORGIA
From 26-JUL-10 16:21:00 to 26-JUL-10 16:21:00 (EST-5)
Location: DULUTH
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Gwinnett County Emergency Management Director reported that a single-story wood-frame home was struck by lightning on Buford Highway in Duluth.  The home was destroyed from the resulting fire.

Lightning in GWINNETT, GEORGIA
From 26-JUL-10 17:46:00 to 26-JUL-10 17:46:00 (EST-5)
Location: TRICKEM
Property damage: 300.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Gwinnett County Emergency Management Director reported that a two-story house on Meadow Point Drive was heavily involved in a lightning-related fire when firefighters arrived.  The house was a total loss.  The fire was so intense that the adjacent home also suffered moderate siding damage.

Lightning in GWINNETT, GEORGIA
From 26-JUL-10 17:04:00 to 26-JUL-10 17:04:00 (EST-5)
Location: NORCROSS
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Gwinnett County Emergency Management Director reported that lightning struck the electrical line of a home on Ivy Park Lane in Norcross.  The lightning strike traveled through the dryer vent into the house.  Firefighters found heavy smoke in the structure upon arrival, but no fire.

Lightning in COBB, GEORGIA
From 26-JUL-10 17:16:00 to 26-JUL-10 17:16:00 (EST-5)
Location: NOONDAY
Property damage: 200.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

The Marietta Daily Journal reported that lightning struck a home on Helga Way between Kennesaw and Woodstock in northeast Cobb county.  The home was severely damaged from the fire which took at least 30 minutes to contain.