An historic tornado outbreak affected areas from the Deep South to the Mid-Atlantic states April 27-28. A strong tornado touched down in Rabun County late on the 27th, with additional tornadoes affecting the North Carolina foothills during the early morning hours of the 28th. At least three supercell thunderstorms crossed the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia during this time. A greater number of supercells and tornadoes affected areas to the west of the Appalachians. Scattered areas of straight line wind damage and large hail also accompanied the storms.

Hail in RABUN, GEORGIA
From 27-APR-11 22:05:00 to 27-APR-11 22:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: PERSIMMON
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Golf ball size hail was reported on Blue Ridge Gap Rd.

Thunderstorm Wind in HABERSHAM, GEORGIA
From 27-APR-11 23:32:00 to 27-APR-11 23:32:00 (EST-5)
Location: BATESVILLE
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Reported by: County Official

Trees were blown down along highway 197 with the third severe thunderstorm to move across the northern part of the county during the late evening.

Tornado in RABUN, GEORGIA
From 27-APR-11 22:00:00 to 27-APR-11 22:16:00 (EST-5)
Location: PERSIMMON
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 5.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The path of an intense tornado, which was likely the continuation of the Habersham County tornado, was found in Rabun County beginning in the Lake Burton area. Damage was first found near a marina on Wildcat Creek Cove. A fire department building near this location was destroyed. As the tornado moved northeast across Moccasin Creek, it intensified and widened to around one half mile. Several large lake homes were completely destroyed in this area. Another home slid off its foundation into the lake. The tornado continued northeast across the Moccasin Creek peninsula and over the main channel of Lake Burton. Severe damage was observed again along the north shore of Timpson Cove, roughly paralleling Meeting House Mountain Rd. Several large luxury homes along the shore were destroyed, while many others received major structural damage. One 83-year-old man was killed in one of these homes. In addition to the major structural damage, thousands of trees were blown down in the Lake Burton area. The tornado weakened as it crossed highway 76 just northeast of Timpson Cove, proceeding to Black Rock State Park, where hundreds of additional trees were blown down. As the tornado continued northeast from the state park, it intensified slightly as it moved over a residential area in Mountain City. Half of the roof was blown off a condominium building, while surrounding homes had minor to moderate roof damage. The tornado crossed highway 441 just north of Mountain City and appeared to lift in the Oakey Mountain area. The tornado was very unusual not only for its strength but also for the rugged terrain in which it occurred. It was the first tornado to hit Rabun County since 1983 and the first F3 or EF3 tornado in the county's recorded history.

Tornado in HABERSHAM, GEORGIA
From 27-APR-11 21:52:00 to 27-APR-11 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BATESVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An area of strong tornado damage began in a secluded area across extreme northern Habersham County. Damage was initially found just west of Baker Branch Rd, though an aerial survey performed by the NWS office in Peachtree City, GA confirmed that the tornado actually began in northern Lumpkin County, moved across northern White County and continued into northwest Habersham County. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted as the tornado tracked northeast toward Goshen Mountain Rd. About 8 homes along Goshen Mountain Rd received minor to moderate roof damage. Meanwhile, trees fell on some homes and vehicles. Other homes had porches blown off while a small cabin was completely destroyed. The tornado continued northeast from there, but the track was lost in this very remote area. However, additional tornado damage was found just across the Rabun County line, on the west side of Lake Burton.