Rare Tornado and Flooding in South Georgia During Weekend Storms

Caption

Downed trees on Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay

As heavy rain swept through Georgia over the weekend, parts of the state experienced severe weather. National Weather Service Meteorologist Pete Wolf says unusually warm temperatures, and humid air collided with a cold front to create a supercell tornado in Southeast Georgia, a type of storm usually seen in the Midwest.

“It was a rare scenario that set up for us that allowed that type of storm to develop," Wolf explained. "It developed very intense rotation and then as it moved into Camden County it created a tornado that approached Kings Bay Naval Base.”

Five people were injured in the storm that flipped cars and downed trees and power lines.

In Middle Georgia, emergency workers used boats to rescue people from their homes after heavy rain flooded parts of Crisp County. Meteorologists say river and creek flooding could be an issue across the state for days to come as rivers swell, carrying rainwater downstream. Flash flood watches and warnings are in effect for much of south Georgia through this week.