Atlanta, Ga. – Four tornadoes touched down across northern and central Georgia between late May 20 and early May 21, prompting damage surveys and emergency response in multiple counties, though no injuries or fatalities were reported.
According to the National Weather Service in Atlanta, the strongest tornado — an EF-1 with estimated peak winds of 90 mph — traveled over 10.5 miles through parts of Spalding, Henry, and Butts counties between 3:39 and 3:57 a.m. Wednesday. The storm reached a maximum width of 300 yards and caused damage along a path that included the Steeles Mill and Jenkinsburg areas.
Two EF-0 tornadoes were confirmed in Gordon County on Tuesday night, striking within minutes of each other. One touched down west of Sonoraville with peak winds of 85 mph, carving a 4.72-mile path along Fairmount Highway. A second EF-0 tornado formed just to the south, tracking 2.39 miles with winds up to 75 mph.
A fourth tornado, also rated EF-0, hit Cherokee County near Waleska and Reinhardt College just after midnight on May 21. It cut a 2-mile track before dissipating within minutes.
All tornadoes were part of a broader line of supercells moving through the state. While damage was mostly minor, residents are urged to remain weather-aware as more spring storms could develop in the coming weeks.
