Widespread wind damage reports were reported across much of Georgia and Alabama on March 18 2013. There were also reports of Hail varying in size from small to upward of 3 inches.
While this storm system as far as I’ve seen has not been classified as a Derecho, it does qualify as one. A Derecho is classified as a long lived line of storms causing wind damage for more than 240 miles along most of it’s length. Another requirement to meet Derecho qualification is wind speeds of or greater than 57 MPH at points along the path of the storm. I don’t have data to back this up, but from following and reporting on many of the storms spawned by this system, I’d say this qualification was also met.
This system caused widespread wind damage from North Alabama where it began to take on the characteristics of a Derecho and lasting into Southeast Georgia. The distance covered is almost double the 240 mile requirement.
Here’s a Radar loop of the event …
Here’s a couple maps showing wind damage and hail as well as a couple tornado reports.
Cataula GA Weather 