Authorities said 16 people died when tornadoes swept through five South Georgia counties on Jan. 22, 2017.
It was Georgia’s third deadliest tornado outbreak in history when a line of thunderstorms unleashed tornadoes across the state and narrowly missing Jacksonville.
On Jan. 22, 2017, a severe line of storms swept through Adel and Albany, taking 16 lives, wiping out homes and destroying lives, making it the deadliest tornado outbreak in the southern half of the state.
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The tornadoes hit at night, making them more deadly.
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Devastation from the extreme weather that tore through central Georgia down to North FloridaPhoto: Bakari SavagePhoto: Bakari SavagePhoto courtesy MyBaxley.comPhoto courtesy MyBaxley.comPhoto courtesy MyBaxley.comPhoto courtesy MyBaxley.comPhoto courtesy MyBaxley.comPhoto courtesy MyBaxley.comPhoto courtesy MyBaxley.comNo description foundPhoto courtesy Aaron VaillantPhoto courtesy Aaron VaillantPhoto courtesy Aaron VaillantPhoto: Bakari SavageNo description foundNo description foundNo description foundNo description foundPhoto: Bakari SavagePhoto: Bakari SavagePhoto: Bakari SavageDamage from extreme weather in Nashville, GeorgiaDamage from extreme weather in Nashville, GeorgiaDamage from extreme weather in Nashville, GeorgiaDamage from extreme weather in Nashville, GeorgiaDamage from extreme weather in Nashville, GeorgiaNo description foundPhoto courtesy WALB-TV in Albany, GeorgiaPhoto courtesy Phillip KirklandPhoto courtesy Phillip KirklandPhoto courtesy Phillip KirklandDevastation from the extreme weather that tore through central Georgia down to North FloridaPhoto courtesy the National Weather Service in JacksonvilleDevastation from the extreme weather that tore through central Georgia down to North FloridaPhoto courtesy Amanda AdamsPhoto courtesy Amanda AdamsPhoto courtesy Amanda AdamsPhoto courtesy Amanda AdamsPhoto courtesy Amanda AdamsPhoto courtesy Amanda AdamsPhoto courtesy Amanda AdamsPhoto courtesy WALB-TV in Albany, GeorgiaViewer photo uploaded to NewsJax Facebook page.Photo courtesy WALB-TV in Albany, GeorgiaNo description foundPhoto courtesy WALB-TV in Albany, GeorgiaPhoto courtesy Sandra FullardStorm damage in Warner Robins, Georgia. (Photo: Everette H.)South Central Georgia tornado damage. Photo by Tiffany Santana via WALB-TV.
Devastation from the extreme weather that tore through central Georgia down to North Florida
One EF1 tornado that day traveled 17 miles right through Camden County. The radar indicated a series of tornadoes south of Jacksonville, one which began in Clay County and traveled into St. Johns County.
Events like that typically don’t happen in January but tend to be reserved for the spring or fall severe storm season.
The severity of the event was so rare that the National Storm Prediction Center issued the first and only High Risk on record in the Florida peninsula. A storm risk scenario marking the most extreme potential for nontropical storms.
Rare high risk alert for Florida was the first of its kind issued by the National Weather Service.
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After covering the weather from every corner of Florida and doing marine research in the Gulf, Mark Collins settled in Jacksonville to forecast weather for The First Coast.
