A strong line of thunderstorms developed in the mid afternoon hours across south Georgia and tracked into southeast Georgia. This line of storms eventually produced damaging wind gusts and even a tornado in Chatham County. The tornado then moved into the Atlantic coastal waters and was responsible for 3 fatalities.

Thunderstorm Wind in LIBERTY, GEORGIA
From 23-MAY-17 15:53:00 to 23-MAY-17 15:54:00 (EST-5)
Location: HINESVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Liberty County dispatch reported a power pole knocked down at 324 West Memorial Drive.

Thunderstorm Wind in CHATHAM, GEORGIA
From 23-MAY-17 16:23:00 to 23-MAY-17 16:24:00 (EST-5)
Location: FERNWOOD
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A large tree was reported down in the middle of Old Louisville Road at East Highway 80.

Thunderstorm Wind in CHATHAM, GEORGIA
From 23-MAY-17 16:34:00 to 23-MAY-17 16:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: FAIRWAY OAKS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Power lines were reported down on Staley Avenue in Savannah.

Tornado in CHATHAM, GEORGIA
From 23-MAY-17 16:53:00 to 23-MAY-17 17:03:00 (EST-5)
Location: WILMINGTON IS
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service storm survey team confirmed an EF2 tornado across Wilmington Island in Chatham County. The tornado touched down on the southern end of Wilmington Island near the intersection of Wilmington Island Road and Biltmore Road. At this point, the tornado was rated EF1 in strength, with maximum winds of up to 100 to 110 mph. The tornado moved east along Biltmore Road, then turned more east-northeast along a portion of Walthour Road. Across this entire area of southern Wilmington Island, the bulk of the damage was in the form of large snapped and uprooted trees. The Chatham County Emergency Management Agency reported that approximately 30 homes sustained damage, ranging from minor shingle loss to moderate or major damage due to trees or large limbs hitting the homes. At least one home surveyed along Walthour Road sustained direct structural damage from the tornado, with the roof to a sunroom being torn off. The tornado continued east-northeast across several miles of marsh, which extends from east of Walthour Road to Highway 80 near Fort Pulaski. Radar evidence, surveyed damage, and eye witness video indicated that the tornado strengthened to a low end EF2 as it approached Fort Pulaski. The tornado moved near the visitor center of Fort Pulaski, where it caused the concrete walls and roof structure to shift and buckle. A smaller building next to the main visitor center had similar damage. There were many hardwood trees snapped close to the base of their trunks all around the complex of Fort Pulaski, along with at least two mid-sized vehicles in the parking lot that were pushed and rolled over. The tornado then progressed across the parking lot, just north of Fort Pulaski, where it exited into the Atlantic Ocean as a strong waterspout.

Thunderstorm Wind in LIBERTY, GEORGIA
From 23-MAY-17 15:40:00 to 23-MAY-17 15:41:00 (EST-5)
Location: CAMP STEWART
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Liberty County dispatch reported a large tree branch down in Gum Branch.