A destructive and deadly tornado outbreak tore through Eastern Alabama and Western Georgia during the afternoon of December 5, 1954. A total of 14 tornadoes were confirmed, 10 of which were significant, including one that hit Metro Atlanta. Two people were killed, 125 others were injured, and damages total $2.71 million.
The first fatal tornado of the outbreak was this strong F2 tornado–which was likely a tornado family–that touched down north of Clayton, Alabama. It headed due east, clipping the northwest side of Eufaula before hitting the town of Howe and moving into Georgia. Throughout Barbour County, Alabama, the tornado injured three and caused $2,500 in damage, although what was damaged in the county is unknown. The tornado then entered Quitman County, Georgia well to the north of Georgetown and began to curve northeastward. Damage here was mainly limited to trees before the tornado moved into Stewart County, where there some of the worsteffects from the tornado were felt. There were no injuries in the Quitman County, but there was $250,000 in damage. Upon entering Stewart County, the tornado hit town of Sanford, where some damage occurred. It then continued northeastward through rural areas before causing some of its worst damage as it tore through Lumpkin. The west, northwest, and north sides of town were heavily damaged, and trees were downed here as well. A fire lookout tower was toppled as well. The tornado then moved back into rural areas, continuing to damage or down hundreds of trees as it passed to the northwest of Richland. Several small homes were destroyed as the tornado struck a few communities between Richland and Lumpkin. Throughout Stewart County, the tornado killed one, injured 20, and caused $250,000 in damage. The tornado then entered Webster County, where it turned more to the east and moved through rural areas as it approached the town of Church Hill. It then struck the town as it was moving into Marion County, inflicting heavy damage and destroying one or more homes. Hundreds of trees continued to be damage as the tornado continued on its path. Throughout, Webster and Marion Counties, the tornado injured eight and caused $250,000 in damage. The tornado then moved into Schley County. After moving due east, it abruptly made a left turn northwest of Shiloh and traveled north-northeast, taking it directly into Ellaville. Just outside the latter place, the tornado wrecked five homes. Damage was inflicted throughout the town and dozen of trees were downed before the tornado finally dissipated as it was exiting town. Throughout Schley County, the tornado injured four and caused $500,000 in damage. The tornado was on the ground for 2 hours and 15 minutes, traveled, had a maximum width of, and caused $1.2525 million in damage. Two people were killed and 35 others were injured.
