Return to previous page

September 16-17, 2020
Remnants of Hurricane Sally

---

The September 16-17, 2020 remnants of Hurricane Sally event in Georgia involved the post-tropical remnants of Hurricane Sally (which made landfall as a Category 2 in coastal Alabama/Florida on September 16) accelerating northeastward across the state, bringing widespread heavy rainfall, flash flooding, gusty winds, and an outbreak of weak tornadoes. The main impacts hit north and central Georgia (including the Atlanta metro) from late afternoon/evening on Wednesday, September 16 through the morning of Thursday, September 17.

Hurricane Sally made landfall early on the morning of September 16, 2020 along the border of Alabama and Florida, bringing widespread damage to that portion of the coast. After landfall, Sally moved slowly northeastward before picking up speed and moving toward Georgia as it quickly weakened.

The remnants of Sally brought widespread heavy rainfall and flooding to the local area. Additionally, wind gusts reached 35 - 40 mph, with a peak gust of 43 mph in Columbus. While these winds were light enough to spare the area from much wind damage, some trees were downed given the saturated soils, leading to scattered power outages and damage to some homes.

---

Key Highlights

• Rainfall and Flooding (Primary Threat):
  • Widespread totals of 3–6 inches across much of north and central Georgia, with localized pockets of 7–8 inches.
  • Heavy rain overspread the area starting late September 16 and continuing into September 17, especially central Georgia northward into metro Atlanta.
  • Caused widespread flash flooding in many areas: flooded roads, ponding, washed-out low-water crossings, and lingering stream/river flooding (some lasting days beyond the event).
  • Multiple flash flood warnings issued for cities including Atlanta, Peachtree City, Macon, Warner Robins, Milledgeville, and others.
  • Daily rainfall records broken at several sites (e.g., Atlanta 2.79", Athens 3.60", Columbus 3.72", Macon up to 4.25" on the 17th).
• Tornado Activity:
  • At least 6 confirmed tornadoes in Georgia (primarily weak): 2 rated EF-1 and 4 rated EF-0.
  • These were embedded in the remnant moisture/instability bands; tornado warnings were issued, but paths were short and damage limited mostly to trees/power lines.
• Wind and Other Impacts:
  • Gusty winds: 35–40 mph common, with a peak gust of 43 mph in Columbus.
  • Downed trees and power lines from saturated soils + winds; scattered structural damage (e.g., trees falling on homes/vehicles).
  • Fatalities: At least 3 in Georgia (metro Atlanta area) — 1 from a large oak tree falling on two homes/cars in Atlanta (1 killed, 2 injured); 1 in Cobb County (vehicle hydroplaned on slick road into bus stop); 1 in Gwinnett County (71-year-old woman pinned by fallen tree on roadway).
  • Power outages reported, though not as widespread/extensive as later events like Zeta.
• Context:
  • Part of the hyperactive 2020 Atlantic season; Sally was slow-moving at landfall (causing catastrophic coastal flooding in AL/FL Panhandle), but accelerated inland, limiting duration but spreading rain far.
  • This was one of several tropical remnant events in Georgia that fall (followed by Delta, Zeta).
  • Setup featured abundant Gulf moisture, leading to heavy rain despite weakening winds.

Impacts were mostly flooding/wind-related with quick recovery in many spots, though saturated soils contributed to tree issues. In north Georgia, flash flooding and tree/power concerns were typical for these remnant moisture setups—classic tropical rainmaker behavior!

---