A strong line of thunderstorms developed ahead of an area of low pressure in the early afternoon hours across central Georgia. The line of storms quickly progressed eastward into an environment that was unusually warm and moist with plentiful environmental shear. The line of storms became severe producing damaging wind gusts, large hail, and a few tornadoes.

Tornado in TATTNALL, GEORGIA
From 21-JAN-17 14:50:00 to 21-JAN-17 14:52:00 (EST-5)
Location: TISON
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service storm survey team confirmed an EF-0 tornado in Tattnall County. The brief tornado touched down on a farm between Rushing Boone Road and State Route 178. Following a path toward the east-southeast, this tornado peeled metal roofing from five farm buildings, produced minor shingle damage to a residence and snapped off a large tree. The tornado crossed State Route 178 and snapped off and uprooted a few large trees before lifting and dissipating.

Tornado in SCREVEN, GEORGIA
From 21-JAN-17 14:52:00 to 21-JAN-17 14:57:00 (EST-5)
Location: SYLVANIA
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service storm survey team confirmed an EF-1 tornado in Screven County. The tornado touched down in Friendship Memorial Park, initially lifting and rolling a motor vehicle downhill. The tornado was photographed from this cemetery. Continuing a path toward the northeast across the cemetery, the tornado blew down 6 headstones estimated to weight between 200 and 400 pounds. The tornado then crossed Friendship Road, which bends from a northeast to east-northeast orientation. Close to the south side of Friendship Road, the tornado removed the northeast wall of a metal firehouse, uprooted several large trees and blew over a farm wagon. The tornado then blew off much of the metal roof from a residence just north of Friendship Road, depositing the metal in nearby trees. At the intersection of Friendship Road, Newington Highway and McBride Circle, the tornado blew a large part of the metal roof from another residence and adjacent buildings, depositing debris along and north of Newington Highway. An entire stop sign was also deposited in a tree about 50 feet above the ground along the north side of Newington Highway. The tornado then crossed a forested area, snapping off the tops of numerous trees as it advanced toward the northeast. A resident's video showed the tornado emerging from the forest along the northern branch of McBride Circle, before it produced roof damage and snapped off a large pine tree on the west side of McBride Circle. The tornado then crossed McBride Circle and tore much of the roof from a residence, depositing metal and other debris in nearby trees and across a field to the northeast. The tornado then crossed this field and damaged additional trees in the far treeline before lifting.

Thunderstorm Wind in CANDLER, GEORGIA
From 21-JAN-17 14:26:00 to 21-JAN-17 14:27:00 (EST-5)
Location: METTER
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Candler County dispatch reported a tree down on Highway 121 North near the landfill.

Thunderstorm Wind in BULLOCH, GEORGIA
From 21-JAN-17 14:44:00 to 21-JAN-17 14:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: STATESBORO
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Bulloch County dispatch reported a power line down on N Zetterower Avenue at Northside Drive East.

Thunderstorm Wind in LIBERTY, GEORGIA
From 21-JAN-17 15:34:00 to 21-JAN-17 15:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: HINESVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Liberty County dispatch reported that a portion of a commercial structure roof had caved in near the intersection of Weeping Willow Drive and Veterans Parkway.

Hail in BRYAN, GEORGIA
From 21-JAN-17 16:00:00 to 21-JAN-17 16:03:00 (EST-5)
Location: RICHMOND HILL
Magnitude: 0.75 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported penny sized hail and 30 mph wind gusts in Richmond Hill.

Hail in TATTNALL, GEORGIA
From 21-JAN-17 14:55:00 to 21-JAN-17 14:58:00 (EST-5)
Location: TISON
Magnitude: 1.75 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Videos received through social media show large hail estimated at golf ball size falling in the community of Cowford.

Tornado in SCREVEN, GEORGIA
From 21-JAN-17 14:42:00 to 21-JAN-17 14:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: LEWIS
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service storm survey team confirmed an EF-0 tornado in Screven County. The tornado touched down along Bay Branch Road, initially damaging a carport attached to a residence. This narrow tornado then followed a path toward the north-northeast, ripping metal roofing from 4 storage buildings and depositing some of this metal in trees on the north side of Buttermilk Road. The tornado then crossed Buttermilk Road and produced significant tree damage along a dirt road, then crossed an open field and produced additional tree damage along the tree line north o the ield before lifting.