2008 Atlanta tornado

Tornado in the United States 2008 Atlanta tornado infobox 1/2 300 2008 Atlanta tornado illuminated by lightning.png Velocity radar of the 2008 Atlanta tornado.png Damage to Centennial Olympic Park - 14 March 2008 Downtown Atlanta storm.JPG Clockwise from Top: The tornado (dark left cloud) illuminated by lightning in Atlanta; Damage to Centennial Olympic Park from the tornado; A Next-Generation Radar scan of the tornado 12 minutes March 14, 2008 9:38 p.m. EDT (UTC–04:00) March 14, 2008 9:50 p.m. EDT (UTC-04:00) EF2 6.25 mi km out 130 mph km/h on 200 yd mi km 1 30 $500 million (2008 USD) Downtown Atlanta, specifically Fulton and DeKalb counties, Georgia, United States 19,000 50 2008 Atlanta tornado outbreak and Tornadoes of 2008 In the evening hours of March 14, 2008, a strong and damaging EF2 tornado tracked across downtown Atlanta, Georgia, killing one person and injuring thirty others. It traveled 6.25 mi km across its twelve-minute lifespan, from 9:38 p.m. to 9:50 p.m. EDT.US Department of Commerce NOAA The Atlanta Tornado - March 14, 2008 https://www.weather.gov/ffc/atltor31408 2026-02-14 www.weather.gov EN-US The tornado was one of many tornadoes on March 14–15, 2008.Staff WSBTV com News 2023-03-14 A look back at the tornado that ripped through downtown Atlanta 15 years ago today https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/15-years-ago-today-remembering-tornado-that-ripped-through-downtown-atlanta/V54ZGKQCMRFBBKUKMVWIJFHYRI/ 2026-02-14 WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta en The tornado was formed from an isolated supercell thunderstorm, though conditions were not ideal for severe thunderstorms that night. Meteorological synopsis left|thumb|Satellite imagery of the storm system that produced the tornado left|thumb|The Storm Prediction Center outlook for March 14, 2008 Storm Prediction Center outlook The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) issued a slight risk for severe weather Atlanta during their 9:00 p.m. EDT outlook. The Storm Prediction Center highlighted a two percent chance of tornadoes for the Atlanta area.Dial March 14, 2008 Mar 15, 2008 0100 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook http://spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2008/day1otlk_20080315_0100.html 2008-03-14 Storm Prediction Center Although a watch was considered, no tornado watches were issued for the Atlanta area because of the low probabilities of any tornadoes occurring. Hail was the biggest severe thunderstorm threat that night.Center Storm Prediction Storm Prediction Center Forecast Products Page https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/md/2008/md0401.html 2026-05-19 www.spc.noaa.gov EN-US Synoptics Unlike most supercell thunderstorms, the tornado moved southeast instead of the typical northeast trajectory.US Department of Commerce NOAA The Ides Of March Supercell Outbreak Across Northeast Georgia and Upstate South Carolina https://www.weather.gov/gsp/IdesOfMarch2008 2026-03-18 www.weather.gov EN-USStorm Prediction Center Mar 14, 2008 0600 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2008/day1otlk_20080314_1200.html 2026-03-18 www.spc.noaa.gov Wind shear remained at 20 knot (23 mph, 37 km/h). Temperatures remained around 57°F(14°C). Dew points were 60°F (15°C). Moderate instability up to 875 J/kg were present at the mixed layer. Surface layer CAPE was up to 1,300 J/kg. 3CAPE reached up to 115 J/kg. Relative helicity values were up to 150 m2/s2.Rothfusz Lans March 31, 2026 The Downtown Atlanta, Georgia EF-2 Tornado of 14 March 2008 https://ams.confex.com/ams/pdfpapers/147007.pdf live All of these factors made the Storm Prediction Center issue a slight risk of severe weather along with a 2% risk of tornadoes.Archive SPC Mesoscale Analysis (HTML5 JavaScript Version) https://www.spc.noaa.gov/exper/ma_archive/ 2026-03-18 www.spc.noaa.gov Storm intensification The storm that later produced the Atlanta tornado intensified in an unusual environment. Georgia had been in a drought, which made the ground very hot and dry. A few days before the Atlanta storm, multiple rain showers had hit Metro Atlanta, giving the formerly dry areas, ample moisture. This allowed for the storm to absorb warm, dry air, then moving over moisture rich zones, giving the storm even more moisture. Atlanta's infrastructure fueled the storm even further. Windows, concrete, and metals released heat, creating a "heat island" over Atlanta.Cityscape, 'wet regions' fueled Atlanta tornado https://www.earthmagazine.org/article/cityscape/ 2026-04-03 www.earthmagazine.org Tornado summary Formation thumb|Map of the path taken by the Atlanta tornado At 9:38 PM EDT, the tornado touched down on Joseph E. Boone Boulevard at EF0 intensity. It continued doing minor damage for the next one hundred twenty yards. Still on the same road, it intensified to EF1 wind speeds. It crossed Mayson Turner Road at EF1 intensity. On Joseph E. Lowery Boulevard, the tornado increased to 120 yd ft on in width, although it still sustained EF1 level wind speeds in its core. Downtown Atlanta thumb|left|Georgia World Congress Center damage from the Atlanta tornado. While expanding in width, it moved across Pond Street. It crossed Maple Street while traveling southeast. Just after Maple Street. Right after crossing Northside Drive. The tornado then impacted the Georgia World Congress Center, sustaining EF1 level damage. Right after impacting the Georgia World Congress Center, the tornado began causing EF2 level damage. The tornado crossed over Centennial Olympic Park. While it was damaging Centennial Olympic Park, the CNN Center was impacted, sustaining EF1 damage as multiple windows were blown out at the center and the nearby Omni Hotel. The tornado dodged the Georgia Dome to the north by 100 yd ft on while a game was ongoing. Basketball player Mykal Riley scored a point, sending the game into overtime.Corp Pelmorex 2021-03-14 Recalling the three-pointer that saved thousands of fans from facing a tornado https://www.theweathernetwork.com/en/news/weather/severe/this-day-in-weather-history-march-14-2008-georgia-dome-tornado 2026-03-14 The Weather Network enGeorgia Meteorologist Nathan Harrington The shot that saved lives: The March 14, 2008 Atlanta tornado https://spectrumlocalnews.com/sc/south-carolina/weather/2026/03/03/the-shot-that-saved-lives--the-march-14--2008-atlanta-tornado 2026-03-14 spectrumlocalnews.com en At the dome, there was no warning of the oncoming tornado. Catwalks started swaying and insulation fell onto players and the crowd.Possible tornado tears through Atlanta 6abc Philadelphia 6abc.com https://6abc.com/archive/6014010/ 2026-03-15 6abc Philadelphia en The tornado weakened to EF1 intensity as it crossed Fairlie Street, moving southeast at that intensity. The Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel was subjected to 100 mph km/h on winds, causing numerous windows to be blown out. The tornado would sustain EF1 intensity. It would eventually cross Interstate 75. Right before it could move across William Holmes Borders Drive, it would restrengthen back to EF2 intensity. Cabbagetown and dissipation thumb|Fulton Bag and the Cotton Mill Lofts. Photo taken on a moving train. The tornado was now near Cabbagetown, Atlanta. The tornado ripped off a roof to a home along Jackson Street. That specific home was subjected to 120 mph km/h on winds. On March 22, a man named Gregory Lee Sr. was found dead due to blunt force injuries from a brick and stucco wall collapsing onto him when he was in the parking lot of a low rise building along Decatur Street.Officials identify Atlanta tornado fatality - CNN.com https://www.cnn.com/2008/US/weather/03/26/tornado.victim/#:~:text=Lee%20died%20when%20a%20brick,body%20was%20found,%20Hanzlick%20said. 2026-03-29 www.cnn.com2022-03-14 14 years ago, a deadly tornado tore through downtown Atlanta https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/march-14-downtown-atlanta-tornado-anniversary/85-3476c9f6-ef64-45ab-b73d-0676f6d24e00 2026-02-14 11Alive.com en-USCox Jeff 2018-03-14 ATLANTA TORNADO: Ten years since twister hit downtown https://wgxa.tv/news/local/atlanta-tornado-ten-years-since-twister-hit-downtown 2026-04-03 WGXA en A building named the Cotton Mill Lofts, had a complete top story collapse in the 130 mph km/h on winds.Team FOX 5 Atlanta Digital 2023-03-14 Today marks the 15-year anniversary of the 2008 Atlanta tornado outbreak https://www.fox5atlanta.com/weather/2008-atlanta-tornado-outbreak-anniversary 2026-02-16 FOX 5 Atlanta en-US The tornado had sustained EF2 wind speeds until Carroll Street. It weakened back to a maximum of EF1 wind speeds. It would continue to shrink then briefly widening on Gaskill Street. After crossing over Pearl Street, and right before impacting Chester Avenue, it would weaken to EF0 intensity. Still at EF0 intensity, it would cross Interstate 20. Once it reached Patterson Avenue, it briefly intensified back to EF1 wind speeds until weakening again. At Atlanta fire station #13, a gust of wind would be measured at 83 mph. At Atlanta fire station #4, a 65 mph km/h on wind gust occurred. It began rapidly shrinking in diameter until it dissipated at 9:50 p.m. EDT.ArcGIS Web Application https://apps.dat.noaa.gov/stormdamage/damageviewer/ 2026-02-16 apps.dat.noaa.govUS Department of Commerce NOAA Preliminary Report on EF2 Tornado that Hit Downtown Atlanta - March 14 2008 https://www.weather.gov/ffc/pns32308.txt 2026-02-16 www.weather.gov EN-US Aftermath Response 14 exit roads on Interstate 75 and Interstate 85 were blocked by the government. Kern Brian H. 2008-03-20 Georgia Gov. Tallies Damage, Presidential Disaster Declaration Issued https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2008/03/21/88477.htm 2026-04-05 Insurance Journal en-US200 firefighters and 150 policemen closed multiple streets near the CNN Center because of broken glass and debris being scattered across the roads and they were worried glass would rain down on the road. The Saint Patrick's Day celebration was canceled due to the tornado.Tornado trashes Atlanta - CNN.com https://www.cnn.com/2008/US/03/15/storm.atlanta/index.html 2026-02-16 www.cnn.com Over fifty search and rescue members were deployed to the Cotton Mill Lofts.Friday tornado hits downtown; Saturday storm kills 2 ajc.com http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2008/03/14/domeburst_0315.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab https://web.archive.org/web/20090309023422/http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2008/03/14/domeburst_0315.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab 2009-03-09 2026-04-02 www.ajc.com en The National Weather Service began to snap photos of the damage. The National Weather Service would work with the Fulton County EMA to document and take photos of the damage.US Department of Commerce NOAA Tornado Hits Downtown Atlanta - March 14, 2008 https://www.weather.gov/ffc/torfotos31408a 2026-03-14 www.weather.gov EN-US At 2:35 p.m. EDT, a state of emergency would be issued by Governor Sonny Perdue.State of Emergency: City of Atlanta Tornado Damage Georgia Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division https://consumer.georgia.gov/press-releases/2008-03-17/state-emergency-city-atlanta-tornado-damage 2026-03-15 consumer.georgia.gov en The American Red Cross set up a shelter for displaced people. Georgia Emergency Management Agency deployed six search and rescue teams to look for civilians in collapsed buildings. The Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Department of Agriculture, Georgia Department of Defense, and Georgia Department of Transportation all assisted in the rebuilding of Atlanta.georgia.gov - Governor Perdue Declares State of Emergency http://gov.georgia.gov/00/press/detail/0,2668,78006749_107734709_108678559,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20100528001655/http://gov.georgia.gov/00/press/detail/0,2668,78006749_107734709_108678559,00.html 2010-05-28 2026-03-16 gov.georgia.gov en Around 80 people would go to the American Red Cross shelter, 50 of them being elderly.GOODMAN SHAILA DEWAN and BRENDA Tornadoes Tear Through Downtown Atlanta https://www.gadsdentimes.com/story/lifestyle/2008/03/16/tornadoes-tear-through-downtown-atlanta/32231557007/ 2026-03-15 Gadsden Times en-US Grady Memorial Hospital had multiple windows shattered, but it would continue operating as normal. Remaining basketball games would be relocated to Georgia Tech's gym. Due to not having enough space, many fans could not attend the remaining basketball games.Four, Up To 14 Twisters Hit Metro Atlanta, North Georgia - News Story - WSB Atlanta http://www.wsbtv.com/news/15600856/detail.html https://web.archive.org/web/20080318144507/http://www.wsbtv.com/news/15600856/detail.html 2008-03-18 2026-03-16 www.wsbtv.com People were advised to stay indoors unless checking on family and property. Sections of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) was shut down. By the end of Saturday, 10,000 were still without power.Tornado rips through Atlanta https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/2008/03/15/tornado-rips-through-atlanta/31558010007/ 2026-03-15 Gainesville Sun en-US On March 16, neighboring counties helped with the repair of traffic lights to. On March 17, multiple roads in downtown Atlanta remained closed. The Salvation Army had 1,000 meals ready to be given to those devastated by the storm.Police to Atlantans: If you can, 'stay out of the city' - CNN.com https://www.cnn.com/2008/US/weather/03/17/atlanta.tornado/index.html?iref=newssearch 2026-03-29 www.cnn.com On March 20, president George W. Bush issued a presidential state of emergency. In all, the tornado would cause $500 million (2008 USD).Georgia Disaster History Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency https://gema.georgia.gov/georgia-disaster-history 2026-03-15 gema.georgia.gov en FEMA response By April 10, 2008, FEMA counted how many residents had applied for disaster assistance. The total was 1,387 civilians. 287 civilians received $1 million (2008 USD) under the Individuals and Households program. $645,000 (2008 USD) was given to over 260 homeowners of the 287 civilians under FEMA's housing assistance program. 119 others would receive $181,000 via FEMA's other needs assistance program. In Fulton County, a disaster loan outreach center (DLOC) was opened for residents of Atlanta.FEMA: Disaster Assistance Update: Three Weeks into Disaster Recovery http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=43169 https://web.archive.org/web/20080716090932/http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=43169 2008-07-16 2026-03-19 www.fema.gov The center would close on April 6, 2008.FEMA: All Disaster Recovery Centers To Close By Weekend http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=43100 https://web.archive.org/web/20080408004244/http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=43100 2008-04-08 2026-03-19 www.fema.gov Damage 19,000 people were left without power. Billboards were found collapsed on top of vehicles.Rescuers search for Atlanta tornado victims - CNN.com https://edition.cnn.com/2008/US/03/14/storm.atlanta/?imw=Y&iref=mpstoryemail 2026-03-16 edition.cnn.com Roads were unusable due to traffic lights being swept away. The basketball game at the Georgia Dome was delayed for 1 hour because of the tornado crossing extremely close to the dome. "It sounded like fans were banging on their seats or stomping their feet, but it kept up and got a lot louder, then the ceiling of the dome started waving, the giant TV screens were waving, and light fixtures and dust started falling". Metal, insulation, and debris were found all across downtown Atlanta. Two Olympic torches at the Centennial Olympic Park were toppled. Cleanup crews were moving downed trees and limbs, which still remained on the roads along with many dumpsters. It would take 1,100 workers to repair the Georgia World Congress Center. The tornado damaged 370,000 square feet of ceiling tiles, 725,000 square feet of roofing pieces, and 100,000 square feet of structures.Johnson C. J. 2025-07-03 Lookback: 2008 Atlanta Tornado https://atlantafi.com/2008-atlanta-tornado-outbreak/ 2026-03-31 Atlanta Events, Restaurants & News AtlantaFi.com en-US Damage at the Georgia World Congress Center was over $80,000,000 (2008 USD).Riding the storm out: GWCCA proves resilient after epic 2008 tornado – Georgia World Congress Center Authority https://www.gwcca.org/riding-the-storm-out-gwcca-proves-resilient-after-epic-2008-tornado 2026-04-02 en-US The Fulton Bag and Cotton Mills Lofts building was heavily damaged. The five story building had its roof ripped off. In addition to roof damage, some exterior walls were blown away. Pieces of the fourth and fifth floor collapsed. The collapse reached to the basement of the loft. A dog was found under a pile of collapsed bricks. The dog survived. Damage at the Cotton Mill Lofts reached $18,000,000 (2008 USD).Enochs Liz 2008-10-01 Tornado Alley https://www.multifamilyexecutive.com/design-development/renovations/tornado-alley_o 2026-04-05 www.multifamilyexecutive.com en CNN Center and Omni Hotel thumb|Debris and an ambulance surrounding the CNN Center. Reconstruction of the Omni Hotel began on March 20, 2008. The bridge connecting the Omni Hotel and the CNN Center was boarded up.2008-03-15 Cleanup Continues In Atlanta Following Tornado https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/cleanup-continues-in-atlanta-following-tornado/83-402836166 2026-03-31 wfmynews2.com en-US 170 rooms on the south tower received broken windows, while the north tower only had 8 shattered windows. At the CNN Center, over 1,600 windows were shattered.OMNI HOTEL AT CNN CENTER REMAINS OPEN FOR BUSINESS AFTER ATLANTA TORNADO https://www.omnihotels.com/media-center/recent-news/080320 2026-03-31 www.omnihotels.com en CNN National Newsroom was forced to relocate to the CNNi newsroom.2008-03-15 CNN & The F2 Tornado https://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/cnn-the-f2-tornado/ 2026-03-31 en-USA damaged water line caused water to flood into the atrium of the CNN Center. It took 7 months to get all windows at the Omni repaired.Most of downtown's tornado-damaged windows patched up ajc.com http://www.ajc.com:80/metro/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2008/10/10/atlanta_tornado_window.html https://web.archive.org/web/20081204064120/http://www.ajc.com:80/metro/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2008/10/10/atlanta_tornado_window.html 2008-12-04 2026-04-02 www.ajc.com en Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel thumb|Damage to the Westin. Over 320 rooms at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel were made uninhabitable by the tornado. 239 of those rooms had at least one window shattered. Over 600 tons of glass was recycled during the rebuilding of the Westin.Hill Patrick April 1, 2026 Westin Peachtree Plaza Fun Facts http://www.sundialrestaurant.com/pr/Westin-Fun-Facts-Aug09.php dead The Sun Dial April 2, 2026 October 30, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101030161057/http://www.sundialrestaurant.com/pr/Westin-Fun-Facts-Aug09.php The company that manufactured the windows for the Westin no longer manufacture them, which made finding window panes difficult. New windows looked mismatched compared to the windows that had survived the storm because of weathering on the older panes. Every window cost up to $4,000 (2008 USD). Window codes had changed by the time of the tornado, further complicating reconstruction.Torpy Bill May 31, 2008 Drywall used in Westin's storm-damaged windows http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/stories/2008/06/02/glass_0531.html bot: unknown April 1, 2026 February 26, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090226191833/http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/stories/2008/06/02/glass_0531.html There were no major injuries and fatalities when the tornado struck. In popular culture Films On March 3, 2012, a film named Miracle 3 released. It is a part of a film series named SEC Storied. Miracle 3 was directed by Rory Karpf.SEC Storied https://www.secsports.com/news/2023/01/sec-storied 2026-04-05 Southeastern Conference en The film explores the potentially disastrous event at the SEC tournament at the Georgia Dome. It shows multiple interviews from various people that were present at the dome when Mykal Riley scored a three-pointer shot during the tornado.Christie Jennifer Cingari 2013-02-21 ESPN Films' SEC "Storied" Series Continues with Documentary on Atlanta Tornado During 2008 SEC Basketball Tournament https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2013/02/espn-films-sec-storied-series-continues-with-documentary-on-atlanta-tornado-during-2008-sec-basketball-tournament/ 2026-04-05 ESPN Press Room U.S. en-US See also List of tornadoes striking downtown areas of large cities 2011 Tuscaloosa–Birmingham tornado – a devastating EF4 multiple-vortex tornado in Alabama that also hit large metropolitan areas 1997 Miami tornado – an F1 tornado in Florida that impacted a major city 11 years prior to this tornado Jarrell tornado – a catastrophic F5 tornado in Texas that also took an unusual path References 03-14 2008-03-14 2008-03-14