Remembering the Historic January 2nd, 2006 Tornado Event (credit: NWS Peachtree City, Georgia)

DISCUSSION: As we look back to January 2nd, 2006, a very impressive tornado event unfolded across portions of western and central Georgia.  There is no doubt that considering this severe weather event occurred during the pre-Dual Polarization radar observation era, this was a scary event for many since our observation capabilities were somewhat reduced during the course of this event.  That is due to the fact Dual Polarization radar capabilities allows for atmospheric scientists to view convective storms in both the vertical as well as the horizontal.  Whereas, with this loop above (which captures the essence of this particular tornado event), this was based on the reflectivity signatures received by the WSR-88D Doppler radar in place at the Peachtree City, Georgia National Weather Service office.  Attached below is an exact excerpt from the summary for this severe weather event courtesy of the National Weather Service office in Peachtree City, Georgia.

"A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service and confirmed by Emergency Managers from both Pike and Meriwether counties concluded that an F3 tornado touched down one mile southeast of Hollonville in northwest Pike county and traveled east for approximately 3 miles, terminating at a point about 4 miles east-southeast of Hollonville in north central Pike county. Five homes along the path were extensively damaged or destroyed. One home was moved 60 feet from its foundation. Two vehicles were thrown 250 yards. Several farm structures were also damaged in the area. A number of trees and power lines were also down in the area. Three injuries were reported during the event. Two men that were working in a barn were injured when the tornado blew the barn away. A third man was injured while clinging to a fence post that the tornado ripped from the ground. The tornado had an overall path length of 3 miles with a path width of 1/4 mile. One interesting note is that family photographs from one of the homes destroyed near Hollonville were found as far away as Williamson, near the Spalding county line."

To learn more about this particular severe weather event from back in January 2006, be sure to click on the following link and this link.

To learn more about other past historic weather events from around the world, be sure to click here!

© 2018 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz