The National Weather Service will look into if a tornado or straight line winds caused damage in northeastern Cumberland County Tuesday morning. As of now it is leaning toward a small tornado. Catoosa Wildlife Management officials found a damage path that varies from a hundred feet to nearly a quarter mile wide. The path is consistent with the route the tornado took leaving Putnam County to Morgan County. The combination of highly saturated soils and high winds led to widespread forest damage.

Initial contact on the area occurred on the northern end of Cold Springs Road then continued across Myatt’s Creek Road. Damage occurred through to the Pigeye Lot and beyond the Berry Creason. From there, significant damage was noted north of the Dallas Grass Lot to the Roy Taylor Place and the Driver Place. Damage was also noted at the John Q Wyatt as the tornado left the area and crossed Clear Creek as it made its way into Morgan County touching down again.

Catoosa wildlife officials say the saturated soil is making it difficult to clear and access these roads. The immediate goal is to have access established in these areas prior to April’s turkey hunt, with the long term goal of having right of ways re-established and maintainable.

(picture courtesy of Catoosa Wildlife Management)