It’s unclear at this point whether the funnel cloud was a tornado or remained over the lake as a waterspout, but damage has been reported in the area.
GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Editor’s Note: The National Weather Service confirmed on Sunday an EF-1 tornado has went over Lake Lanier. Read more about its path here.
As severe storms moved across northern metro Atlanta, some residents in Hall County spotted an unsettling sight near Lake Lanier.
Videos shared by 11Alive viewers there showed a funnel cloud rotating over the lake near Thompson Bride Road and Cochran Road as rain fell and winds whipped through trees.Â
Another viewer, Jon Forrester, shared video of a different view of what appeared to be the same funnel cloud recorded from Lakeshore Mall off Dawsonville Highway.
Another viewer captured the same funnel from a different vantage point.
On Sunday, May 4 the National Weather Service confirmed an EF-1 tornado moved started on land and moved over water. 11Alive’s Cody Alcorn reported damage — including trees and powerlines down — near Lakewood Baptist Church in the area where the funnel cloud was spotted.
There were no tornado warnings active at the time, and 11Alive’s chief meteorologist Chris Holcomb said there were not any radar indications of a tornado at the time.
The storm system, part of a widespread cold front that moved across the central United States, triggered numerous severe thunderstorm warnings across north Georgia before moving into metro Atlanta. It also caused a weather delay for the Friday evening Braves-Dodgers game being hosted at Truist Park. At the airport, delays were reported, though no ground stop had been issued. Impacts to electricity remained minimal, with only about 16,400 customers who were reported to be without power.Â
