Remembering April 27 Minute by Minute: 8:15 in Ringgold

RINGGOLD-APISON (WDEF) – Many people thought the storms were finally dying down by Wednesday evening.

But one of the worst of all was just firing up outside of Ringgold at 8:15 PM.

The EF4 storm first touched down along Davis Ridge Road, plowed through Ringgold, climbed a ridge and slammed down with deadly effect in Cherokee Valley in Catoosa County.

Winds topped out at 175 miles per hour.

Seven people were killed in Cherokee Valley, 30 injured and a dozen homes obliterated.

“EF4 damage along Cherokee Valley Road northeast of Ringgold, GA. At least 15 homes were obliterated on this valley floor. Four fatalities occurred in this area.” from NWS

“Tornado path through Cherokee Valley and along Cherokee Ridge northeast of Ringgold, GA” from NWS

Then the storm headed for Cohutta and into Tennessee, with more deadly affect in the Apison area.

Winds here hit 190 miles an hour.

13 people died in Hamilton and Bradley Counties plus another 200 were hurt.

Rescue personnel could not reach many of the victims until the next day because the roads were a maze of downed trees.

Home leveled off of Bill Jones Rd

Car lifted and moved near strongest damage area

Exterior walls of home collapsed in Bradley County

Houses destroyed in Bradley County