Tornadoes scar the South

Forests across northern Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia were hard hit by tornadoes in April, 2011. Tree mortality was often severe for areas in the direct path of these storms as shown in this photo from near Lake Burton in the Chattahoochee National Forest, Georgia (top). In this forest change map from June 1 (bottom), note the parallel, northeastern yellow-red streaks that reveal the location and intensity of these storms. Blue areas have similar growth as in 2010 and were unaffected. Black areas are non-forest such as fields or developed areas. (Photo: Chattahoochee National Forest)