A severe quasi-linear convective system (QLCS) moved through southeast Georgia during the afternoon into early evening hours of April 5, 2022 as a mid-level shortwave ejected rapidly across the region in advance of a surface cold front. The environment ahead of the QLCS was favorable for severe local storms as southerly winds spread mid 60 dewpoint temperatures into a warm sector across the Southeast United States and favorable mid-level lapse rates and lifted index values helped produce mixed layer convective available potential energy (MLCAPE) as high as 1500-2000 J/kg during peak surface heating across southeast Georgia. Within the warm sector, strong shear associated with 50-70 knot low and mid-level jets beneath the left front quadrant of a 120 knot upper-level jet, 0-6 km bulk shear around 50 knots, and 0-3 km storm relative helicity in excess of 300 m2/s2 were supportive of well organized convection and potentially embedded supercell thunderstorms in a QLCS capable of producing a prolonged path of damaging winds and strong long-track tornadoes. As the QLCS swept through southeast Georgia, a few discrete supercell thunderstorms became exceptionally strong near or just ahead of the main line of thunderstorms, producing damaging winds, large hail, and a violent EF-4 tornado near Pembroke, GA that took 1 life and injured 12 others along an approximately 14.5 mile path.

Hail in EFFINGHAM, GEORGIA
From 05-APR-22 16:35:00 to 05-APR-22 16:36:00 (EST-5)
Location: MARLOW
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Public

The public reported golf ball size hail.

Hail in EFFINGHAM, GEORGIA
From 05-APR-22 16:45:00 to 05-APR-22 16:46:00 (EST-5)
Location: RINCON
Magnitude: 2.00 
Reported by: Social Media

A report relayed via social media indicated 2 inch diameter hail near the YMCA in Rincon, Georgia.

Tornado in BRYAN, GEORGIA
From 05-APR-22 16:18:00 to 05-APR-22 16:33:00 (EST-5)
Location: REKA
Tornado F-scale: EF4
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service Storm Survey Team confirmed an EF-4 tornado with estimated maximum wind speed of 185 mph in Bryan County Georgia. The violent tornado began just west of the Bryan County Courthouse in Pembroke, where it damaged part of the roof, blew out some windows, and snapped numerous trees. The tornado continued along a northeast path across a wooded, marshy area, including C C Road, Stubbs Farm Road, and Stubby Road. In this area, the tornado produced significant tree damage, and heavily damaged a residence on Stubbs Farm Road. The tornado then continued east-northeast moving through Hendrix Park, Park Place subdivision, and Black Creek Golf Course, where it reached a maximum width of 3/4 of a mile and peak EF-4 intensity. Across this area, the tornado extensively damaged most homes, structures and trees. Some homes and structures were completely destroyed. Several injuries, some serious, occurred in this area as well. The tornado then continued east-northeast over wooded and marshy areas, across Olive Branch Road and across the southern end of Homestead Drive. Several mobile homes were completely destroyed in this area, causing additional injuries and tragically claiming the life of an adult female. The tornado began to weaken as it moved toward the interchange of I-16 and U.S. Highway 280. In this area, there was some minor roof damage to a large industrial building off of Oracal Parkway Circle, as well as some snapping and uprooting of trees. The tornado finally dissipated in a marshy region just east of Oracal Parkway Circle.

Thunderstorm Wind in SCREVEN, GEORGIA
From 05-APR-22 14:35:00 to 05-APR-22 14:36:00 (EST-5)
Location: HILLTONIA
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

The Screven County 911 Call Center reported 2 trees down at Pine Grove Inn Road and Burton's Ferry Highway.

Thunderstorm Wind in TATTNALL, GEORGIA
From 05-APR-22 16:45:00 to 05-APR-22 16:46:00 (EST-5)
Location: COLLINS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

The Tattnall County 911 Call Center reported a tree down near the intersection of Lynntown Road and Live Oak Street.

Thunderstorm Wind in BULLOCH, GEORGIA
From 05-APR-22 16:58:00 to 05-APR-22 16:59:00 (EST-5)
Location: STATESBORO
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The Bulloch County 911 Call Center reported numerous trees down in Statesboro. Several trees fell on structures. A metal roof was also blown off a building on Highway 301.

Thunderstorm Wind in EFFINGHAM, GEORGIA
From 05-APR-22 16:33:00 to 05-APR-22 16:34:00 (EST-5)
Location: MARLOW
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

The Effingham Warning Point reported a tree down on Courthouse Road near the Lonesome Oak neighborhood.

Thunderstorm Wind in EVANS, GEORGIA
From 05-APR-22 15:51:00 to 05-APR-22 15:52:00 (EST-5)
Location: CLAXTON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

The Evans County 911 Call Center reported a tree down on South Grady Street.

Thunderstorm Wind in MCINTOSH, GEORGIA
From 05-APR-22 18:37:00 to 05-APR-22 18:38:00 (EST-5)
Location: RIDGEVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: 911 Call Center

The McIntosh County Warning Point reported a tree down on Blounts Crossing between Cypress Street and Palmetto Street.

Thunderstorm Wind in EFFINGHAM, GEORGIA
From 05-APR-22 16:45:00 to 05-APR-22 16:46:00 (EST-5)
Location: RINCON
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Reported by: Public

The public reported several trees down along Lexington Avenue in Rincon, Georgia.

Thunderstorm Wind in JENKINS, GEORGIA
From 05-APR-22 16:56:00 to 05-APR-22 16:57:00 (EST-5)
Location: MILLEN
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A Jenkins County Emergency Manager reported a solar farm on Old Louisville Road sustaining significant wind damage.

Hail in BRYAN, GEORGIA
From 05-APR-22 16:25:00 to 05-APR-22 16:26:00 (EST-5)
Location: ELLABELL
Magnitude: 2.75 
Reported by: Public

The public reported baseball size hail and damage to vehicles.