Archive for January 25th, 2012
Alabama Storm FAQ
Here we go again… with another strong storm system just west of Alabama. I get literally hundreds of questions via Facebook and Twitter, so let’s answer them here in one spot.
SEVERE WEATHER OVERNIGHT TONIGHT? No. While there have been a few tornado warnings over Mississippi, we do not expect any severe weather problems tonight here in Alabama with the main dynamic forcing so far to the west. A few thunderstorms are certainly possible, especially in West Alabama, after midnight, but severe weather is not expected. All tornado warnings in Mississippi have expired as the storms there have weakened already.
WILL THERE BE SEVERE WEATHER TOMORROW? It is possible over mainly the southern half of Alabama. See the SPC severe weather outlook below…
The greatest risk of severe weather will be south of I-20, but we can’t rule out an isolated severe storm as far north as Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, or Anniston. We will be watching the radar closely during the day.
IS THERE A TORNADO THREAT? A few isolated tornadoes are possible over the southern half of the state, but the main risk most likely will come from damaging straight line winds. The synoptic setup is quite different from the event we had early Monday.
WHEN WILL THE STORMS BEGIN? We could see a shower or storm at anytime tomorrow, but the most organized activity should come between 12:00 noon at 8:00 p.m.
HOW MUCH RAIN? We project one to two inches of rain for most of the state, and we note the National Weather Service in Huntsville has a flash flood watch going for the Tennessee Valley for tomorrow.
WHAT ABOUT THE WEEKEND: Looks nice. The sun returns during the day Friday, and the weekend looks dry with highs in the 57-60 degree range, with a low near freezing by daybreak Sunday.
We will update the blog often during the next 24 hours… stay tuned…
Thunder in the Night
Here we go again. More quick note:
* NWS, Jackson, has posted a Tornado Warning for parts of East Central Copiah County in Central Mississippi as well as Central Simpson County and Northeast Lawrence County until 8:30 pm.
* Three Tornado Warnings since 6:11 pm.
* Tornado Watch is in effect for Central and South Louisiana and a small part of Southwest Louisiana
* For tomorrow, the Storm Prediction Center has posted a slight risk of severe weather for these areas:
*Northwest Florida
* SW Georgia
Southeast Louisiana
* South half of Mississippi
* South 2/3rds of Alabama from about Tuscaloosa, Birmingham and Anniston southward
Bama Tornado Count Up To Ten
PNSBMX
ALZ011>015-017>050-260830-
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT…UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
453 PM CST WED JAN 25 2012
…LONG TRACK SUPERCELLS PRODUCE MULTIPLE TORNADOES…
…UPDATED FOR DAMAGE INFORMATION IN JEFFERSON COUNTY…
A STRONG COLD FRONT APPROACHED THE REGION SUNDAY NIGHT AND
INTERACTED WITH A VERY MOIST AND UNSTABLE ENVIRONMENT ALREADY IN
PLACE. NUMEROUS SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPED ALONG AND OUT
AHEAD OF THE FRONT ACROSS ARKANSAS AND MISSISSIPPI AND PUSHED
EASTWARD ACROSS CENTRAL ALABAMA SUNDAY NIGHT AND INTO MONDAY
MORNING. THERE WERE SEVERAL SUPERCELL THUNDERSTORMS THAT PRODUCED
TORNADOES AS THEY TRACKED ACROSS THE FORECAST AREA. NUMEROUS
REPORTS OF STRAIGHT-LINE WIND DAMAGE AND SEVERAL REPORTS OF LARGE
HAIL AND FLASH FLOODING WERE ALSO RECEIVED DURING THE EVENT.
TORNADO NUMBERS HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED TO KEEP THE TRACKS IN ORDER
OF OCCURRENCE. SO A NUMBER MAY BE DIFFERENT THAN THE PREVIOUS
STATEMENT. ADDITIONAL PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENTS WILL BE
ISSUED PERIODICALLY…AS SURVEY TEAMS REPORT BACK THEIR FINDINGS.
TORNADO #1…KOFFMAN TORNADO (TUSCALOOSA)…
EVENT DATE: JANUARY 23, 2012
EVENT TYPE: EF-3
ESTIMATED PEAK WINDS (MPH): 140
INJURIES/FATALITIES: 0
EVENT START TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 33.3257/-87.6579 AT 242 AM
EVENT END TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 33.3305/-87.6526 AT 243 AM
DAMAGE PATH LENGTH (IN MILES): 0.45
DAMAGE WIDTH (IN YARDS): 400
WARNINGS: A TORNADO WARNING WAS IN EFFECT FROM 231 AM UNTIL 315 AM.
WATCHES: TORNADO WATCH #7 WAS IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM UNTIL 6 AM.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS SURVEYED DAMAGE JUST EAST
OF AL HWY 171 IN THE KOFFMAN AREA AND DETERMINED THAT IT WAS THE
RESULT OF AN EF-3 TORNADO. THE TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN NEAR THE
INTERSECTION OF AL HWY 171 AND KOFFMAN RANCH RD WHERE
APPROXIMATELY TWO DOZEN PINE TREES WERE UPROOTED AND ORIENTED IN
MULTIPLE DIRECTIONS. THE TORNADO THEN TRAVELED NORTHEAST
DESTROYING ONE OUTBUILDING ALONG KOFFMAN SPUR. JUST TO THE
NORTHEAST OF KOFFMAN SPUR…A BARN WAS DESTROYED AND THE ENTIRE
ROOF WAS TORN OFF OF A WELL-CONSTRUCTED SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE.
THE TORNADO LIFTED BEFORE REACHING CARROLL CREEK. THE TORNADO DAMAGE
PATH WAS APPROXIMATELY 0.46 MILES LONG AND WAS 400 YARDS WIDE AT
ITS WIDEST POINT.
TORNADO #2…WATERMELON ROAD TORNADO (TUSCALOOSA)…
EVENT DATE: JANUARY 23, 2012
EVENT TYPE: EF-2
ESTIMATED PEAK WINDS (MPH): 115
INJURIES/FATALITIES: 0
EVENT START TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 33.3961/-87.4440 AT 300 AM
EVENT END TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 33.4038/-87.4395 AT 301 AM
DAMAGE PATH LENGTH (IN MILES): 0.56
DAMAGE WIDTH (IN YARDS): 300
WARNINGS: A TORNADO WARNING WAS IN EFFECT FROM 231 AM UNTIL 315 AM.
WATCHES: TORNADO WATCH #7 WAS IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM UNTIL 6 AM.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS HAVE SURVEYED THE DAMAGE
JUST WEST OF THE BLACK WARRIOR RIVER ALONG WATERMELON RD AND
DETERMINED THAT IT WAS THE RESULT OF AN EF-2 TORNADO. THE TORNADO
TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT A QUARTER MILE WEST OF WATERMELON RD SNAPPING
AND UPROOTING A FEW SMALL PINE TREES. FROM THERE…THE TORNADO
TRAVELED NORTHEAST AND HIT A HUNTING CAMP WHERE APPROXIMATELY
TWENTY SMALL PINE TREES WERE SNAPPED AND EIGHT CAMPERS WERE
ROLLED. THREE OF THE CAMPERS WERE DESTROYED AND THE OTHER FIVE
RECEIVED DIFFERING DEGREES OF DAMAGE. THE TORNADO CONTINUED
NORTHEAST CROSSING WATERMELON RD WHERE IT SNAPPED 3 WOODEN
H-FRAME TRANSMISSION LINES BEFORE LIFTING JUST TO THE EAST OF
WATERMELON RD. THE TORNADO DAMAGE PATH WAS APPROXIMATELY 0.56
MILES LONG AND WAS 300 YARDS WIDE AT ITS WIDEST POINT.
TORNADO #3…OAK GROVE TORNADO (TUSCALOOSA AND JEFFERSON)…
EVENT DATE: JANUARY 23, 2012
EVENT TYPE: EF-2
ESTIMATED PEAK WINDS (MPH): 130
INJURIES/FATALITIES: NA/1
EVENT START TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 33.4316/-87.3071 AT 309 AM
EVENT END TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 33.5290/-87.1405 AT 327 AM
DAMAGE PATH LENGTH (IN MILES): 13.00
DAMAGE WIDTH (IN YARDS): 880
WARNINGS: A TORNADO WARNING WAS IN EFFECT FROM 231 AM UNTIL 315 AM.
A TORNADO WARNING WAS IN EFFECT FROM 302 AM UNTIL 345 AM.
WATCHES: TORNADO WATCH #7 WAS IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM UNTIL 6 AM.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS HAVE SURVEYED THE DAMAGE
JUST EAST OF THE BLACK WARRIOR RIVER NEAR THE TUSCALOOSA AND
JEFFERSON COUNTY LINE. THE DAMAGE WAS WAS THE RESULT OF AN EF-2
TORNADO. THE TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN 1 MILE WEST OF GROUNDHOG ROAD. THE
TORNADO THEN MOVED NORTHEAST ACROSS LOCK 17 ROAD…CAMP OLIVER
ROAD…AND TOADVINE ROAD. THE TORNADO LIFTED ALONG TOADVINE ROAD
JUST SOUTHWEST OF SHORT CREEK. NUMEROUS TREES WERE SNAPPED AND
UPROOTED ALONG THE DAMAGE PATH. ONE FATALITY OCCURRED ALONG TOADVINE
ROAD WHERE A MOBILE HOME WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. SEVERAL OTHER
STRUCTURES RECEIVED VARYING DEGREES OF DAMAGE ALONG THE PATH.
TORNADO #4…PARKER TORNADO (SUMTER)…
EVENT DATE: JANUARY 23, 2012
EVENT TYPE: EF-0
ESTIMATED PEAK WINDS (MPH): 75
INJURIES/FATALITIES: 0
EVENT START TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 32.6567/-88.1705 AT 321 AM
EVENT END TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 32.6718/-88.1639 AT 324 AM
DAMAGE PATH LENGTH (IN MILES): 1.1
DAMAGE WIDTH (IN YARDS): 50
WARNINGS: A TORNADO WARNING WAS IN EFFECT FROM 304 AM UNTIL 345 AM.
WATCHES: TORNADO WATCH #7 WAS IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM UNTIL 6 AM.
COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND FIRE OFFICIALS HAVE SURVEYED THE
DAMAGE JUST WEST OF STATE HIGHWAY 11 AND COUNTY ROAD 39 AND
DETERMINED THAT IT WAS THE RESULT OF AN EF-0 TORNADO. THE TORNADO
TOUCHED DOWN ALONG HIGHWAY 11 ABOUT 5 MILES NORTHEAST OF LIVINGSTON
DAMAGING AND UPROOTING A FEW SMALL SOFT AND HARDWOOD TREES. THE
TORNADO THEN TRAVELED NORTHEAST TOWARDS COUNTY ROAD 39 AND
MCCAINVILLE ROAD WHERE ADDITIONAL TREES WERE DAMAGED ALONG WITH
MINOR DAMAGE TO AN OUTDOOR SHED AS THE TORNADO WAS LIFTING. THE
TORNADO DAMAGE PATH WAS APPROXIMATELY 1.1 MILES LONG AND WAS 50
YARDS WIDE AT ITS WIDEST POINT. SPECIAL THANKS TO SUMTER COUNTY
OFFICIALS FOR THEIR HELP WITH THE DAMAGE SURVEY.
TORNADO #5…CENTER POINT TORNADO (JEFFERSON AND ST CLAIR)…
EVENT DATE: JANUARY 23, 2012
EVENT TYPE: EF-3
ESTIMATED PEAK WINDS (MPH): 150
INJURIES/FATALITIES: 100/1
EVENT START TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 33.6228/-86.7411 AT 358 AM
EVENT END TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 33.7197/-86.4963 AT 420 AM
DAMAGE PATH LENGTH (IN MILES): 15.5
DAMAGE WIDTH (IN YARDS): 800
WARNINGS: A TORNADO WARNING WAS IN EFFECT FROM 332 AM UNTIL 430 AM.
A TORNADO WARNING WAS IN EFFECT FROM 415 AM UNTIL 515 AM.
WATCHES: TORNADO WATCH #7 WAS IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM UNTIL 6 AM.
TORNADO WATCH #11 WAS IN EFFECT FROM 245 AM UNTIL 10 AM.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS HAVE SURVEYED THE DAMAGE
BETWEEN TARRANT…CENTER POINT…CLAY…AND ARGO. THE TORNADO
TOUCHED DOWN ALONG PAWNEE VILLAGE ROAD ABOUT 3.25 MILES NORTHEAST OF
TARRANT WHERE SEVERAL BUSINESSES SUSTAINED ROOF AND WALL DAMAGE. THE
TORNADO THEN TRACKED FURTHER NORTHEAST ACROSS PINSON VALLEY PARKWAY
WHERE SEVERAL ADDITIONAL BUSINESSES WERE HEAVILY DAMAGED OR
DESTROYED.
IN THE CITY OF CENTER POINT, THE TORNADO EXHIBITED WIND SPEEDS OF
120 MPH. THE MOST EXTREME DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED BY THE CENTER POINT
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. AS THE TORNADO MOVED THROUGH THE AREA OF THE
SCHOOL, THE SOUTHWESTERN-MOST EXPOSED EXTERIOR WINDOWS OF THE SCHOOL
WERE BLOWN IN AND AS A RESULT, THE WIND FROM THE TORNADO WAS GIVEN
THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET THROUGH THE DROP-DOWN TILE CEILINGS TO AN
EXTREMELY EXPOSED ALUMINUM FRAMED ROOF. THE ROOF ACTED AS A CANOPY
AND AS A RESULT…A LARGE PORTION OF THE ROOF ON THE WESTERN END OF
THE SCHOOL WAS REMOVED. THERE WAS ALSO MAJOR EXTRANEOUS DAMAGE
SUSTAINED TO THE SAME END OF THE SCHOOL AS THE WIND WHIPPED THROUGH
THE HALLWAYS AND CLASSROOMS. IN THIS AREA, THE WIDTH OF THE TORNADO
PATH WAS APPROXIMATELY 880 YARDS WIDE.
TWO BLOCKS TO THE NORTHEAST, THE TORNADO CROSSED CENTER POINT
PARKWAY CAUSING DAMAGE TO NUMEROUS BUSINESSES AT AND AROUND 24TH
STREET. TWO GAS STATIONS SUSTAINED PEELED BACK CANOPIES, MULTIPLE
SMALL BUSINESSES, SUCH AS A BRANCH BANK AND FAST FOOD RESTAURANT
SUSTAINED MINOR AMOUNTS OF ROOF LOSS AND A METAL BUILDING STRUCTURE
SUSTAINED SOME WIND DAMAGE, THOUGH MOST OF IT WAS ANTECEDENT TO A
TREE FALLING ON THE WESTERN-MOST WALL. ADDITIONALLY, A STRIP MALL
SUSTAINED MINOR ROOF DAMAGE. ALL DAMAGE IN THIS AREA WAS CONSISTENT
WITH WINDS OF 100 MPH.
THE TORNADO CONTINUED TRAVELING TO THE NORTHEAST, CROSSING OVER
SWEENEY VALLEY ROAD, CAUSING MINOR ROOF DAMAGE TO NUMEROUS HOMES
ALONG THE WAY. WHEN THE TORNADO CROSSED OLD SPRINGVILLE ROAD, THE
INTENSITY INCREASED TO APPROXIMATELY 150 MPH. THESE WINDS SPEEDS
CAUSED DAMAGE TO DOZENS OF HOMES IN THE GEORGE BROOK NEIGHBORHOOD.
THE COMMON DENOMINATOR FOR THE HOMES THAT SUSTAINED COMPLETE DAMAGE
COMPARED TO THOSE WHO ONLY SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE IS THOSE WITH THE
MAJOR DAMAGE HAD PARTIAL BRICK VENEER EXTERIOR WALLS. THOUGH THERE
WERE NO BRICK STRAPPINGS VISIBLE…THE BRICK WALLS SEEMED TO HELP
HOLD WALLS TOGETHER SLIGHTLY BETTER. THE HOMES WITHOUT THE BRICK
VENEER HAD ALL EXTERIOR WALLS COLLAPSE. NONE OF THE HOMES HAD
J-BOLTS IN THE SILLS…RATHER ALL WALLS WERE SINGLE-TOE NAILED TO
THE EXTERIOR SILLS. THIS GREATLY DIMINISHED THE INTEGRITY OF ALL
EXTERIOR WALLS. FORTUNATELY, ALL HOMES ENDED UP WITH AT LEAST A
SINGLE INTERIOR ROOM STANDING, GIVING CREDENCE TO TAKING COVER IN
THE INTERIOR-MOST ROOM OF THE HOUSE.
AS THE TORNADO MOVED FURTHER TO THE NORTHEAST, IT CLIPPED HARNESS
CIRCLE IN THE NORTHWOODS NEIGHBORHOOD. TWO HOMES SUSTAINED COMPLETE
DAMAGE AS WINDS ENTERED EACH HOME THROUGH SPLIT-LEVEL ENTRANCES. IT
WAS IN ONE OF THESE TWO HOMES WHERE A 16-YEAR-OLD GIRL LOST HER LIFE
IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO TAKE COVER. WINDS WERE ABLE TO OVERCOME
THE EXTERIOR WALLS IN EACH HOME, CAUSING THE WALLS TO SIMPLY
COLLAPSE OUTWARD AND THE SECOND FLOORS TO BE PUSHED UPSTREAM FROM
WHERE THEY ORIGINALLY STOOD. ALL HOMES EXHIBITED SINGLE-TOED
NAILING ON EXTERIOR MAIN FLOOR WALLS AND THOUGH STRAPPING WAS
VISIBLE, IT DIDN’T SEEM TO BE INSTALLED FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN TO
HOLD THE EXTERIOR BRICK WALLS IN PLACE. UNFORTUNATELY…THE BRICK
WALLS WERE COMPROMISED, AS WELL. NUMEROUS OTHER HOMES SUSTAINED
MINOR TO MODERATE ROOF DAMAGE. WINDS IN THIS AREA WERE CONSISTENT
WITH AN EF-3 TORNADO OF 150 MPH, WITH A WIDTH OF APPROXIMATELY 600
YARDS.
FURTHER TO THE NORTHEAST, THE TORNADO CROSSED ANOTHER RIDGE AND
ENTERED THE LEGACY NEIGHBORHOOD IN CLAY. NUMEROUS HOMES THROUGHOUT
THE NEIGHBORHOOD SUSTAINED MINOR TO MODERATE ROOF DAMAGE, BUT HOMES
ON PLYMOUTH ROCK DRIVE SUSTAINED THE HEAVIEST DAMAGE. MOST HOMES ON
PLYMOUTH ROCK DRIVE WERE OF THE SPLIT-LEVEL VARIETY, WHICH ALLOWED
FOR THESE STRONG WINDS TO HAVE AN ENTRANCE POINT OF GREATEST
DESTRUCTION. ON ABOUT 8 HOMES, EXTERIOR WALLS COLLAPSED, CAUSING
THE SECOND FLOORS OF EACH OF THE HOMES TO EITHER COLLAPSE INWARD OR
TOPPLE OVER INTO THE YARD, DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THE HOME.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE WALLS WAS OF THE SINGLE-TOE NAILED VARIETY,
CAUSING DIMINISHED STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY. NO J-BOLTS WERE VISIBLE.
WINDS IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD WERE ALSO CONSISTENT WITH AN EF-3 TORNADO
OF 150 MPH, WITH A WIDTH OF APPROXIMATELY 600 YARDS.
THE TORNADO BEGAN TO WEAKEN AS IT APPROACHED INTERSTATE 59 CROSSING
INTO ST CLAIR COUNTY JUST NORTH OF ARGO WHERE SEVERAL ADDITIONAL
HOMES SUSTAINED DAMAGE ALONG WITH NUMEROUS TREES UPROOTED AND
SNAPPED. THE TORNADO BEGAN TO LIFT NEAR HIDDEN VALLEY DRIVE AND
COUNTRY LIVING CIRCLE.
AT THE TIME OF THIS REPORT 231 HOMES AND UNSPECIFIED BUSINESSES WERE
DAMAGED OR DESTROYED. THE TORNADO DAMAGE PATH WAS APPROXIMATELY 15.5
MILES LONG AND WAS 880 YARDS WIDE AT ITS WIDEST POINT. SPECIAL
THANKS TO NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE IN HUNTSVILLE FOR THEIR
HELP WITH THE DAMAGE SURVEY.
TORNADO #6…COUNTY ROAD 7 TORNADO (PERRY)…
EVENT DATE: JANUARY 23, 2012
EVENT TYPE: EF-1
ESTIMATED PEAK WINDS (MPH): 110
INJURIES/FATALITIES: 0
EVENT START TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 32.7068/-87.3096 AT 433 AM
EVENT END TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 32.7216/-87.2786 AT 437 AM
DAMAGE PATH LENGTH (IN MILES): 2.1
DAMAGE WIDTH (IN YARDS): 300
WARNINGS: TORNADO WARNINGS WERE IN EFFECT BEGINNING AT 333 AM.
WATCHES: TORNADO WATCH #11 WAS IN EFFECT FROM 245 AM UNTIL 10 AM.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS HAVE SURVEYED THE DAMAGE IN
CENTRAL PERRY COUNTY…NORTH OF MARION. AN EF-1 TORNADO WITH
ESTIMATED PEAK WINDS OF 110 MPH BRIEFLY TOUCHED DOWN ALONG COUNTY
ROAD 7 AND MOVED NORTHEAST CROSSING COUNTY ROAD 16 AND ALABAMA
HIGHWAY 5…AND LIFTED JUST AFTER CROSSING ALABAMA ROAD 175. THE
TORNADO WAS STRONGEST AS IT CROSSED COUNTY ROAD 16. ALONG ITS
PATH…SCORES OF HARDWOODS AND SOFTWOODS WERE SNAPPED OR UPROOTED.
TORNADO #7…MAPLESVILLE (PERRY AND CHILTON)…
EVENT DATE: JANUARY 23, 2012
EVENT TYPE: EF-2
ESTIMATED PEAK WINDS (MPH): 130
INJURIES/FATALITIES: 1 INJ
EVENT START TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 32.7159/-87.2748 AT 437 AM
EVENT END TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 32.8764/-86.6322 AT 530 AM
DAMAGE PATH LENGTH (IN MILES): 39.5
DAMAGE WIDTH (IN YARDS): 880
WARNINGS: TORNADO WARNINGS WERE IN EFFECT BEGINNING AT 427 AM.
WATCHES: TORNADO WATCH #11 WAS IN EFFECT FROM 245 AM UNTIL 10 AM.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS HAVE SURVEYED THE DAMAGE IN
EASTERN PERRY AND CHILTON COUNTIES AND DETERMINED IT WAS THE RESULT
OF AN EF-2 TORNADO. THE SUPERCELL WHICH PRODUCED THE COUNTY ROAD 7
EF-1 TORNADO IN CENTRAL PERRY COUNTY QUICKLY GENERATED A SECOND
TORNADO JUST SOUTH OF THE FIRST TORNADO PATH. THIS TORNADO CONTINUED
INTO CHILTON COUNTY…CAUSING DAMAGE IN MAPLESVILLE AND LIFTING NEAR
LOMAX…NORTH OF CLANTON. THE TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN ALONG COUNTY ROAD
16…EAST OF ALABAMA ROAD 175 IN PERRY COUNTY AND MOVED NORTHEAST
INTO THE TALLADEGA NATIONAL FOREST. ALONG COUNTY ROAD 9…THE
SANCTUARY OF HISTORIC EPHESUS CHURCH WAS DESTROYED AS THE ROOF AND
STEEPLE WERE PARTIALLY BLOWN AWAY. HUNDREDS OF TREES WERE SNAPPED OR
UPROOTED IN THIS AREA OF WIDESPREAD DAMAGE. THE TORNADO MOVED ALONG
ALABAMA HIGHWAY 183 FOR APPROXIMATELY 6 MILES CAUSING EXTENSIVE TREE
DAMAGE. THE TORNADO CROSSED MAT MOORE ROAD AND INTO CHILTON COUNTY
SOUTH OF ALABAMA HIGHWAY 183…CAUSING EXTENSIVE TREE DAMAGE IN THE
NATIONAL FOREST. ALONG US HIGHWAY 82 TO THE WEST OF MAPLESVILLE…
16 HOMES RECEIVED SIGNIFICANT ROOF DAMAGE, EITHER PARTIALLY OR
COMPLETELY REMOVED. THE TORNADO TRACKED JUST NORTH OF DOWNTOWN
MAPLESVILLE…DAMAGING HOMES AND BUSINESSES. IN MAPLESVILLE…150
CITIZENS TOOK SHELTER IN A COMMUNITY SHELTER…WHICH HAD TREES
FALL ON IT BUT CAUSED NO SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE OR INJURIES. AS THE
TORNADO TRACKED ALONG ALABAMA HIGHWAY 22…NUMEROUS TREES WERE
KNOCKED DOWN AND A RADIO TOWER COLLAPSED. THE TORNADO TOOK A
NOTICEABLE TURN TO THE LEFT AND MOVED JUST SOUTH OF LOMAX.
WIDESPREAD AND INTENSE TREE DAMAGE RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO SEVERAL
HOMES. HOWEVER…ONE WELL DESIGNED AND BUILT HOME LESS THAN 50
YARDS FROM THE TRACK ESCAPED WITH ONLY SUPERFICIAL DAMAGE. THE
TORNADO WEAKENED RAPIDLY AS IT CROSSED US HIGHWAY 31 AND
DISSIPATED BEFORE CROSSING ALABAMA HIGHWAY 145 AND INTERSTATE 65.
TORNADO #8…DE SOTO CAVERNS TORNADO (TALLADEGA)…
EVENT DATE: JANUARY 23, 2012
EVENT TYPE: EF-0
ESTIMATED PEAK WINDS (MPH): 70-80
INJURIES/FATALITIES: 0
EVENT START TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 33.2957/-86.2951 AT 535 AM
EVENT END TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 33.3219/-86.2091 AT 541 AM
DAMAGE PATH LENGTH (IN MILES): 5.4
DAMAGE WIDTH (IN YARDS): 50
WARNINGS: A TORNADO WARNING WAS IN EFFECT FROM 524 AM UNTIL 615 AM.
WATCHES: TORNADO WATCH #11 WAS IN EFFECT FROM 245 AM UNTIL 10 AM.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS SURVEYED DAMAGE ALONG
AL-76…ALSO KNOWN AS DE SOTO CAVERNS PARKWAY…EAST-NORTHEAST OF
THE CITY OF CHILDERSBURG…AND DETERMINED THAT IT WAS THE RESULT OF
AN EF-0 TORNADO. THE TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN JUST WEST OF THE
INTERSECTION OF AL-76 AND CR-175 (OAKDALE ROAD)…AND MOVED
EAST-NORTHEASTWARD FROM THERE…REMAINING VERY CLOSE TO AL-76. A
HOUSE AND STORAGE BUILDING NEAR THE TOUCHDOWN POINT SUFFERED LIGHT
ROOF DAMAGE. THE MOST CONCENTRATED DAMAGE…WITH WINDS ESTIMATED
BETWEEN 70 AND 80 MPH… WAS AT THE INTERSECTION OF AL-76 AND BOOKER
ROAD…WHERE ABOUT A DOZEN LARGE PINE TREES WERE UPROOTED. FROM
THAT LOCATION UNTIL THE END OF THE PATH…DAMAGE WAS SPORADIC AND
CONSISTED OF ISOLATED TREES THAT WERE EITHER SNAPPED OR UPROOTED.
THE POINT OF DAMAGE WAS AN UPROOTED TREE NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF
AL-76 AND RISERS MILL ROAD.
TORNADO #9…ENTERPRISE TORNADO (CHILTON)…
EVENT DATE: JANUARY 23, 2012
EVENT TYPE: EF-1
ESTIMATED PEAK WINDS (MPH): 105-110
INJURIES/FATALITIES: 0
EVENT START TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES:32.7288/-86.6329 AT 636 AM
EVENT END TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 32.7657/-86.5886 AT 640 AM
DAMAGE PATH LENGTH (IN MILES): 3.67
DAMAGE WIDTH (IN YARDS): 500
WARNINGS: A TORNADO WARNING WAS IN EFFECT FROM 636 AM UNTIL 715 AM.
WATCHES: TORNADO WATCH #11 WAS IN EFFECT FROM 245 AM UNTIL 10 AM.
THE TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN NEAR A MOBILE HOME PARK NEAR THE
INTERSECTION OF COUNTY ROAD 99 AND HIGHWAY 24 AT 636 AM. SEVERAL
MOBILE HOMES HAD MINOR ROOF AND UNDERPINNING DAMAGE AND ONE MOBILE
HOME WAS DESTROYED.
THE TORNADO CONTINUED TOWARDS THE NORTHEAST CROSSING HIGHWAY 49 AND
SEVERELY DAMAGING 3 HOMES. ONE HOME WAS COMPLETELY SHIFTED OFF ITS
FOUNDATION WHILE ANOTHER WAS PARTIALLY MOVED. ANOTHER HOME HAD 90
PERCENT OF ITS ROOF REMOVED BUT ALL WALLS REMAINED STANDING. THE
STORM WAS AT ITS WIDEST AT THIS POINT AT 500 YARDS. THIS WAS ALSO
THE AREA WITH THE HIGHEST WIND VELOCITY WITH ESTIMATED WIND SPEEDS
OF 105 TO 110 MPH.
THE TORNADO CONTINUED TO THE NORTHEAST FROM HIGHWAY 49 WITH SEVERAL
OTHER HOMES RECEIVING MAINLY ROOF AND PORCH DAMAGE. THERE WERE A FEW
OUTBUILDINGS DESTROYED WITH MANY TREES SNAPPED AND UPROOTED. THE
TORNADO THEN LIFTED NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF COUNTY ROADS 7 AND 434.
TORNADO #10…NORTH MILLBROOK TORNADO (ELMORE)…
EVENT DATE: JANUARY 23, 2012
EVENT TYPE: EF-1
ESTIMATED PEAK WINDS (MPH): 100
INJURIES/FATALITIES: 0
EVENT START TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 32.5209/-86.4119 AT 748 AM
EVENT END TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 32.5309/-86.3437 AT 755 AM
DAMAGE PATH LENGTH (IN MILES): 4.02
DAMAGE WIDTH (IN YARDS): 200
WATCHES: TORNADO WATCH #11 WAS IN EFFECT FROM 245 AM UNTIL 10 AM.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS HAVE SURVEYED THE DAMAGE
BETWEEN MILLBROOK…DEATSVILLE…AND ELMORE. THE DAMAGE WAS THE
RESULT OF AN EF-1 TORNADO. THE TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN ALONG COUNTY
ROAD 39 NEAR THE AUTAUGA COUNTY LINE. THE TORNADO MOVED EASTWARD AND
CROSSED HIGHWAY 7 NEAR THE PINES GOLF CLUB. THE TORNADO THEN MOVED
ALONG HIGHWAY 14 AND LIFTED JUST BEFORE THE WETUMPKA MUNICIPAL
AIRPORT. TEN TO FIFTEEN HOMES SUFFERED SHINGLE AND SIDING DAMAGE.
DOZENS OF TREES WERE BLOWN DOWN. ONE APARTMENT HAD ITS METAL ROOF
BLOWN OFF. ONE AUTO CENTER HAD ITS DOORS BLOWN IN.
STRAIGHT-LINE WIND DAMAGE (TALLAPOOSA)…
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS SURVEYED DAMAGE IN WIND
CREEK STATE PARK…AND DETERMINED IT WAS A RESULT OF STRAIGHT-LINE
WINDS. WIND DAMAGE BEGAN ONE MILE SOUTHWEST OF HIGHWAY 63 ON WALKER
FERRY ROAD WHERE A FEW TREES WERE UPROOTED. THE MOST HEAVILY DAMAGED
AREA WAS ALONG A SMALL STRIP OF LAND ON THE WEST SIDE OF LAKE MARTIN
AT WIND CREEK STATE PARK. NUMEROUS PINE TREES WERE SNAPPED OR
UPROOTED CAUSING DAMAGE TO SEVERAL CABINS. MAXIMUM WIND SPEEDS WERE
ESTIMATED AT 90 MPH AT WIND CREEK STATE PARK. THE SWATH OF WIND
DAMAGE ENDED 1.6 MILES NORTH OF JACKSONS GAP ON ROCK SPRINGS ROAD.
OTHER INFORMATION…
A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR SEVERE WEATHER WARNING
PROGRAM IS THE RECEIPT OF STORM REPORTS FROM ALL OUR CUSTOMERS AND
PARTNERS ACROSS CENTRAL ALABAMA. IF YOU WITNESSED OR ARE AWARE OF
ANY STORM DAMAGE DUE TO HIGH WINDS OR TORNADOES…PLEASE CONTACT
YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICE…OR CALL OUR STORM REPORTING
HOTLINE AT 1-800-856-0758.
Big Rain Event Ahead
**No afternoon Weather Xtreme Video today… having to make up school visits cancelled Monday + extra duties eating into the production schedule again today**
HERE IT COMES AGAIN: While today has been a delightful spring-like day for Alabama, we watch with interest the big mass of rain and storms to the west…
Below is a look at the big upper low over West Texas responsible for the foul weather…
Rain and storms will become widespread across Alabama tomorrow as the upper low approaches. Not much change in the overall thinking… below is the forecast STP from the NAM at 3:00 p.m. tomorrow…
And, the day two convective outlook from SPC…
No doubt the best chance of severe weather in Alabama will across the southern half of the state, and even there it is a somewhat marginal threat. The best instability will be pretty close to the Gulf Coast; a tornado or two is certainly possible over South Alabama, but the main threat seems to be from damaging straight line winds along a squall line that should form tomorrow night.
For the northern counties of Alabama, we always have to watch the radar closely with systems like this; you know the deal… when it comes to thunderstorms, expect the unexpected. But, the severe weather risk looks pretty minimal for places like Birmingham Tuscaloosa, Anniston, and Gadsden. The potential issue will be heavy rain and the threat of flooding. The NWS in Huntsville has a flash flood watch in place for their county warning area (the Tennessee Valley). The heaviest and most widespread rain will come from noon to midnight.
HOW MUCH RAIN: The 12Z NAM is printing 1.44″ for Birmingham… while the GFS is drier with 0.76″. If rain amounts stay under two inches, that should prevent major flash flooding issues. We will forecast rain amounts of 1 to 2 inches, with isolated amounts to 3 inches over the Tennessee Valley.
FRIDAY AND THE WEEKEND: Getting much better model agreement now. The rain ends late tomorrow night, and the sky becomes mostly sunny on Friday. The weather will be cooler with a high between 57 and 60 degrees. The weekend looks cool and dry; the high Saturday will be around 60, but Sunday will be cooler with a high in the mid 50s. Lows will get down into the mid 30s early Sunday, and by daybreak Monday we should be at or below freezing.
NEXT WEEK AND BEYOND: For now much of next week looks rather benign; a weak system could bring a few showers by Wednesday or Thursday, but model agreement is not good. See the morning Weather Xtreme video for more details and long range ideas.
WEATHER BRAINS: Don’t forget you can listen to our weekly 90 minute netcast anytime on the web, or on iTunes. This is the show all about weather featuring many familiar voices, including our meteorologists here at ABC 33/40.
CONNECT: You can find me on all of the major social networks…
I had a great time today visiting the kids at Kingwood Christian in Alabaster, and Bluff Park Elementary in Hoover… be looking for them on the Pepsi KIDCAM at 5:00 and 6:00 on ABC 33/40 News! The next Weather Xtreme video will be posted by 7:00 a.m. tomorrow…
Eight Tornadoes Identified In Alabama
Looks like our final number could be 8…
NOUS44 KBMX 250428
PNSBMX
ALZ011>015-017>050-261800-
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1027 PM CST TUE JAN 24 2012
…LONG TRACK SUPERCELLS PRODUCE MULTIPLE TORNADOES…
…UPDATED FOR DAMAGE INFORMATION FROM PERRY…CHILTON AND
TALLAPOOSA COUNTIES…
A STRONG COLD FRONT APPROACHED THE REGION SUNDAY NIGHT AND INTERACTED
WITH A VERY MOIST AND UNSTABLE ENVIRONMENT ALREADY IN PLACE.
NUMEROUS SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPED ALONG AND OUT AHEAD
OF THE FRONT ACROSS ARKANSAS AND MISSISSIPPI AND PUSHED EASTWARD
ACROSS CENTRAL ALABAMA SUNDAY NIGHT AND INTO MONDAY MORNING.
THERE WERE SEVERAL SUPERCELL THUNDERSTORMS THAT PRODUCED TORNADOES
AS THEY TRACKED ACROSS THE FORECAST AREA. NUMEROUS REPORTS OF
STRAIGHT-LINE WIND DAMAGE AND SEVERAL REPORTS OF LARGE HAIL AND
FLASH FLOODING WERE ALSO RECEIVED DURING THE EVENT.
DAMAGE SURVEYS ARE COMPLETED FOR TODAY. HOWEVER…ADDITIONAL SURVEYS
ARE PLANNED OVER THE COMING DAYS. WE WILL BE SENDING SURVEY
TEAMS OUT TO SURVEY ADDITIONAL DAMAGE IN THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES AS
TIME PERMITS…JEFFERSON…TALLADEGA AND CHILTON. ADDITIONAL PUBLIC
INFORMATION STATEMENTS WILL BE ISSUED PERIODICALLY…AS SURVEY TEAMS
REPORT BACK THEIR FINDINGS.
TORNADO #1…KOFFMAN TORNADO (TUSCALOOSA)…
EVENT DATE: JANUARY 23, 2012
EVENT TYPE: EF-3
ESTIMATED PEAK WINDS (MPH): 140
INJURIES/FATALITIES: 0
EVENT START TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 33.3257/-87.6579 AT 242 AM
EVENT END TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 33.3305/-87.6526 AT 243 AM
DAMAGE PATH LENGTH (IN MILES): 0.45
DAMAGE WIDTH (IN YARDS): 400
WARNINGS: A TORNADO WARNING WAS IN EFFECT FROM 231 AM UNTIL 315 AM.
WATCHES: TORNADO WATCH #7 WAS IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM UNTIL 6 AM.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS SURVEYED DAMAGE JUST EAST
OF AL HWY 171 IN THE KOFFMAN AREA AND DETERMINED THAT IT WAS THE
RESULT OF AN EF-3 TORNADO. THE TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN NEAR THE
INTERSECTION OF AL HWY 171 AND KOFFMAN RANCH RD WHERE
APPROXIMATELY TWO DOZEN PINE TREES WERE UPROOTED AND ORIENTED IN
MULTIPLE DIRECTIONS. THE TORNADO THEN TRAVELED NORTHEAST
DESTROYING ONE OUTBUILDING ALONG KOFFMAN SPUR. JUST TO THE
NORTHEAST OF KOFFMAN SPUR…A BARN WAS DESTROYED AND THE ENTIRE
ROOF WAS TORN OFF OF A WELL-CONSTRUCTED SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE.
THE TORNADO LIFTED BEFORE REACHING CARROLL CREEK. THE TORNADO DAMAGE
PATH WAS APPROXIMATELY 0.46 MILES LONG AND WAS 400 YARDS WIDE AT
ITS WIDEST POINT.
TORNADO #2…WATERMELON ROAD TORNADO (TUSCALOOSA)…
EVENT DATE: JANUARY 23, 2012
EVENT TYPE: EF-2
ESTIMATED PEAK WINDS (MPH): 115
INJURIES/FATALITIES: 0
EVENT START TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 33.3961/-87.4440 AT 300 AM
EVENT END TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 33.4038/-87.4395 AT 301 AM
DAMAGE PATH LENGTH (IN MILES): 0.56
DAMAGE WIDTH (IN YARDS): 300
WARNINGS: A TORNADO WARNING WAS IN EFFECT FROM 231 AM UNTIL 315 AM.
WATCHES: TORNADO WATCH #7 WAS IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM UNTIL 6 AM.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS HAVE SURVEYED THE DAMAGE
JUST WEST OF THE BLACK WARRIOR RIVER ALONG WATERMELON RD AND
DETERMINED THAT IT WAS THE RESULT OF AN EF-2 TORNADO. THE TORNADO
TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT A QUARTER MILE WEST OF WATERMELON RD SNAPPING
AND UPROOTING A FEW SMALL PINE TREES. FROM THERE…THE TORNADO
TRAVELED NORTHEAST AND HIT A HUNTING CAMP WHERE APPROXIMATELY
TWENTY SMALL PINE TREES WERE SNAPPED AND EIGHT CAMPERS WERE
ROLLED. THREE OF THE CAMPERS WERE DESTROYED AND THE OTHER FIVE
RECEIVED DIFFERING DEGREES OF DAMAGE. THE TORNADO CONTINUED
NORTHEAST CROSSING WATERMELON RD WHERE IT SNAPPED 3 WOODEN
H-FRAME TRANSMISSION LINES BEFORE LIFTING JUST TO THE EAST OF
WATERMELON RD. THE TORNADO DAMAGE PATH WAS APPROXIMATELY 0.56
MILES LONG AND WAS 300 YARDS WIDE AT ITS WIDEST POINT.
TORNADO #3…OAK GROVE TORNADO (TUSCALOOSA AND JEFFERSON)…
EVENT DATE: JANUARY 23, 2012
EVENT TYPE: EF-2
ESTIMATED PEAK WINDS (MPH): 130
INJURIES/FATALITIES: NA/1
EVENT START TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 33.4316/-87.3071 AT 309 AM
EVENT END TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 33.5290/-87.1405 AT 327 AM
DAMAGE PATH LENGTH (IN MILES): 13.00
DAMAGE WIDTH (IN YARDS): 880
WARNINGS: A TORNADO WARNING WAS IN EFFECT FROM 231 AM UNTIL 315 AM.
A TORNADO WARNING WAS IN EFFECT FROM 302 AM UNTIL 345 AM.
WATCHES: TORNADO WATCH #7 WAS IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM UNTIL 6 AM.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS HAVE SURVEYED THE DAMAGE
JUST EAST OF THE BLACK WARRIOR RIVER NEAR THE TUSCALOOSA AND
JEFFERSON COUNTY LINE. THE DAMAGE WAS WAS THE RESULT OF AN EF-2
TORNADO. THE TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN 1 MILE WEST OF GROUNDHOG ROAD. THE
TORNADO THEN MOVED NORTHEAST ACROSS LOCK 17 ROAD…CAMP OLIVER
ROAD…AND TOADVINE ROAD. THE TORNADO LIFTED ALONG TOADVINE ROAD
JUST SOUTHWEST OF SHORT CREEK. NUMEROUS TREES WERE SNAPPED AND
UPROOTED ALONG THE DAMAGE PATH. ONE FATALITY OCCURRED ALONG TOADVINE
ROAD WHERE A MOBILE HOME WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. SEVERAL OTHER
STRUCTURES RECEIVED VARYING DEGREES OF DAMAGE ALONG THE PATH.
TORNADO #4…PARKER TORNADO (SUMTER)…
EVENT DATE: JANUARY 23, 2012
EVENT TYPE: EF-0
ESTIMATED PEAK WINDS (MPH): 75
INJURIES/FATALITIES: 0
EVENT START TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 32.6567/-88.1705 AT 321 AM
EVENT END TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 32.6718/-88.1639 AT 324 AM
DAMAGE PATH LENGTH (IN MILES): 1.1
DAMAGE WIDTH (IN YARDS): 50
WARNINGS: A TORNADO WARNING WAS IN EFFECT FROM 304 AM UNTIL 345 AM.
WATCHES: TORNADO WATCH #7 WAS IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM UNTIL 6 AM.
COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND FIRE OFFICIALS HAVE SURVEYED THE
DAMAGE JUST WEST OF STATE HIGHWAY 11 AND COUNTY ROAD 39 AND
DETERMINED THAT IT WAS THE RESULT OF AN EF-0 TORNADO. THE TORNADO
TOUCHED DOWN ALONG HIGHWAY 11 ABOUT 5 MILES NORTHEAST OF LIVINGSTON
DAMAGING AND UPROOTING A FEW SMALL SOFT AND HARDWOOD TREES. THE
TORNADO THEN TRAVELED NORTHEAST TOWARDS COUNTY ROAD 39 AND
MCCAINVILLE ROAD WHERE ADDITIONAL TREES WERE DAMAGED ALONG WITH
MINOR DAMAGE TO AN OUTDOOR SHED AS THE TORNADO WAS LIFTING. THE
TORNADO DAMAGE PATH WAS APPROXIMATELY 1.1 MILES LONG AND WAS 50
YARDS WIDE AT ITS WIDEST POINT. SPECIAL THANKS TO SUMTER COUNTY
OFFICIALS FOR THEIR HELP WITH THE DAMAGE SURVEY.
TORNADO #5…CENTER POINT TORNADO (JEFFERSON AND ST CLAIR)…
EVENT DATE: JANUARY 23, 2012
EVENT TYPE: EF-3
ESTIMATED PEAK WINDS (MPH): 150
INJURIES/FATALITIES: 100/1
EVENT START TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 33.6228/-86.7411 AT 358 AM
EVENT END TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 33.7197/-86.4963 AT 420 AM
DAMAGE PATH LENGTH (IN MILES): 15.5
DAMAGE WIDTH (IN YARDS): 800
WARNINGS: A TORNADO WARNING WAS IN EFFECT FROM 332 AM UNTIL 430 AM.
A TORNADO WARNING WAS IN EFFECT FROM 415 AM UNTIL 515 AM.
WATCHES: TORNADO WATCH #7 WAS IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM UNTIL 6 AM.
TORNADO WATCH #11 WAS IN EFFECT FROM 245 AM UNTIL 10 AM.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS HAVE SURVEYED THE DAMAGE
BETWEEN TARRANT…CENTER POINT…CLAY…AND ARGO. THE DAMAGE WAS THE
RESULT OF AN EF-3 TORNADO. THE TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN ALONG PAWNEE
VILLAGE ROAD ABOUT 3.25 MILES NORTHEAST OF TARRANT WHERE SEVERAL
BUSINESSES SUSTAINED ROOF AND WALL DAMAGE. THE TORNADO THEN TRACKED
FURTHER NORTHEAST ACROSS PINSON VALLEY PARKWAY WHERE SEVERAL
ADDITIONAL BUSINESSES WERE HEAVILY DAMAGED OR DESTROYED. THE
TORNADO THEN MOVED THROUGH DOWNTOWN CENTER POINT CROSSING CENTER
POINT PARKWAY WHERE NUMEROUS HOMES AND BUSINESSES WERE DAMAGED OR
DESTROYED. THE TORNADO CONTINUED NORTHEAST TO OLD SPRINGVILLE ROAD
TOWARDS THE CITY OF CLAY WHERE MORE HOMES AND BUSINESSES SUSTAINED
MAJOR DAMAGE WITH MOST EXTERIOR WALLS COLLAPSED AS THE TORNADO
REACHED MAXIMUM INTENSITY. FURTHER NORTHEAST THE TORNADO CONTINUED
AT ITS MAXIMUM STRENGTH NEAR DEERFOOT PARKWAY WHERE ADDITIONAL HOMES
WERE DESTROYED. THE TORNADO BEGAN TO WEAKEN AS IT APPROACHED
INTERSTATE 59 CROSSING INTO ST CLAIR COUNTY JUST NORTH OF ARGO
WHERE SEVERAL ADDITIONAL HOMES SUSTAINED DAMAGE ALONG WITH NUMEROUS
TREES DAMAGED. THE TORNADO BEGAN TO LIFT NEAR HIDDEN VALLEY DRIVE
AND COUNTRY LIVING CIRCLE. ONE FATALITY OCCURED WITH THIS
TORNADO…IN THE CITY OF CLAY. AT THE TIME OF THIS REPORT SEVERAL
HUNDRED HOMES AND BUSINESSES WERE DAMAGED OR DESTROYED. THE TORNADO
DAMAGE PATH WAS APPROXIMATELY 15.5 MILES LONG AND WAS 800 YARDS WIDE
AT ITS WIDEST POINT. SPECIAL THANKS TO NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
OFFICE IN HUNTSVILLE FOR THEIR HELP WITH THE DAMAGE SURVEY.
TORNADO #6…COUNTY ROAD 7 TORNADO (PERRY)…
EVENT DATE: JANUARY 23, 2012
EVENT TYPE: EF-1
ESTIMATED PEAK WINDS (MPH): 110
INJURIES/FATALITIES: 0
EVENT START TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 32.7068/-87.3096 AT 433 AM
EVENT END TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 32.7216/-87.2786 AT 437 AM
DAMAGE PATH LENGTH (IN MILES): 2.1
DAMAGE WIDTH (IN YARDS): 300
WARNINGS: TORNADO WARNINGS WERE IN EFFECT BEGINNING AT 333 AM.
WATCHES: TORNADO WATCH #11 WAS IN EFFECT FROM 245 AM UNTIL 10 AM.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS HAVE SURVEYED THE DAMAGE IN
CENTRAL PERRY COUNTY…NORTH OF MARION. AN EF-1 TORNADO WITH
ESTIMATED PEAK WINDS OF 110 MPH BRIEFLY TOUCHED DOWN ALONG COUNTY
ROAD 7 AND MOVED NORTHEAST CROSSING COUNTY ROAD 16 AND ALABAMA
HIGHWAY 5…AND LIFTED JUST AFTER CROSSING ALABAMA ROAD 175. THE
TORNADO WAS STRONGEST AS IT CROSSED COUNTY ROAD 16. ALONG ITS
PATH…SCORES OF HARDWOODS AND SOFTWOODS WERE SNAPPED OR UPROOTED.
TORNADO #7…MAPLESVILLE (PERRY AND CHILTON)…
EVENT DATE: JANUARY 23, 2012
EVENT TYPE: EF-2
ESTIMATED PEAK WINDS (MPH): 130
INJURIES/FATALITIES: 1 INJ
EVENT START TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 32.7159/-87.2748 AT 437 AM
EVENT END TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 32.8764/-87.6322 AT 530 AM
DAMAGE PATH LENGTH (IN MILES): 39.5
DAMAGE WIDTH (IN YARDS): 880
WARNINGS: TORNADO WARNINGS WERE IN EFFECT BEGINNING AT 427 AM.
WATCHES: TORNADO WATCH #11 WAS IN EFFECT FROM 245 AM UNTIL 10 AM.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS HAVE SURVEYED THE DAMAGE IN
EASTERN PERRY AND CHILTON COUNTIES AND DETERMINED IT WAS THE RESULT
OF AN EF-2 TORNADO. THE SUPERCELL WHICH PRODUCED THE COUNTY ROAD 7
EF-1 TORNADO IN CENTRAL PERRY COUNTY QUICKLY GENERATED A SECOND
TORNADO JUST SOUTH OF THE FIRST TORNADO PATH. THIS TORNADO CONTINUED
INTO CHILTON COUNTY…CAUSING DAMAGE IN MAPLESVILLE AND LIFTING NEAR
LOMAX…NORTH OF CLANTON. THE TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN ALONG COUNTY ROAD
16…EAST OF ALABAMA ROAD 175 IN PERRY COUNTY AND MOVED NORTHEAST
INTO THE TALLADEGA NATIONAL FOREST. ALONG COUNTY ROAD 9…THE
SANCTUARY OF HISTORIC EPHESUS CHURCH WAS DESTROYED AS THE ROOF AND
STEEPLE WERE PARTIALLY BLOWN AWAY. HUNDREDS OF TREES WERE SNAPPED OR
ROOTED IN THIS AREA OF WIDESPREAD DAMAGE. THE TORNADO MOVED ALONG
ALABAMA HIGHWAY 183 FOR APPROXIMATELY 6 MILES CAUSING EXTENSIVE TREE
DAMAGE. THE TORNADO CROSSED MAT MOORE ROAD AND INTO CHILTON COUNTY
SOUTH OF ALABAMA HIGHWAY 183…CAUSING EXTENSIVE TREE DAMAGE IN THE
NATIONAL FOREST. ALONG US HIGHWAY 82 TO THE WEST OF MAPLESVILLE…16
HOMES RECEIVED SIGNIFICANT ROOF DAMAGE, EITHER PARTIALLY OR
COMPLETELY REMOVED. THE TORNADO TRACKED JUST NORTH OF DOWNTOWN
MAPLESVILLE…DAMAGING HOMES AND BUSINESSES. IN MAPLESVILLE…150
CITIZENS TOOK SHELTER IN A COMMUNITY SHELTER…WHICH HAD TREES FALL
ON IT BUT CAUSED NO SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE OR INJURIES. AS THE TORNADO
TRACKED ALONG ALABAMA HIGHWAY 22…NUMEROUS TREES WERE KNOCKED DOWN
AND A RADIO TOWER COLLAPSED. THE TORNADO TOOK A NOTICEABLE TURN TO
THE LEFT AND MOVED JUST SOUTH OF LOMAX. WIDESPREAD AND INTENSE TREE
DAMAGE RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO SEVERAL HOMES. HOWEVER…ONE WELL
DESIGNED AND BUILT HOME LESS THAN 50 YARDS FROM THE TRACK ESCAPED
WITH ONLY SUPERFICIAL DAMAGE. THE TORNADO WEAKENED RAPIDLY AS IT
CROSSED US HIGHWAY 31 AND DISSIPATED BEFORE CROSSING ALABAMA HIGHWAY
145 AND INTERSTATE 65.
TORNADO #8…NORTH MILLBROOK TORNADO (ELMORE)…
EVENT DATE: JANUARY 23, 2012
EVENT TYPE: EF-1
ESTIMATED PEAK WINDS (MPH): 100
INJURIES/FATALITIES: 0
EVENT START TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 32.5209/-86.4119 AT 748 AM
EVENT END TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 32.5309/-86.3437 AT 755 AM
DAMAGE PATH LENGTH (IN MILES): 4.02
DAMAGE WIDTH (IN YARDS): 200
WATCHES: TORNADO WATCH #11 WAS IN EFFECT FROM 245 AM UNTIL 10 AM.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS HAVE SURVEYED THE DAMAGE
BETWEEN MILLBROOK…DEATSVILLE…AND ELMORE. THE DAMAGE WAS THE
RESULT OF AN EF-1 TORNADO. THE TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN ALONG COUNTY
ROAD 39 NEAR THE AUTAUGA COUNTY LINE. THE TORNADO MOVED EASTWARD AND
CROSSED HIGHWAY 7 NEAR THE PINES GOLF CLUB. THE TORNADO THEN MOVED
ALONG HIGHWAY 14 AND LIFTED JUST BEFORE THE WETUMPKA MUNICIPAL
AIRPORT. TEN TO FIFTEEN HOMES SUFFERED SHINGLE AND SIDING DAMAGE.
DOZENS OF TREES WERE BLOWN DOWN. ONE APARTMENT HAD ITS METAL ROOF
BLOWN OFF. ONE AUTO CENTER HAD ITS DOORS BLOWN IN.
STRAIGHT-LINE WIND DAMAGE (TALLAPOOSA)…
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS SURVEYED DAMAGE IN WIND
CREEK STATE PARK…AND DETERMINED IT WAS A RESULT OF STRAIGHT-LINE
WINDS. WIND DAMAGE BEGAN ONE MILE SOUTHWEST OF HIGHWAY 63 ON WALKER
FERRY ROAD WHERE A FEW TREES WERE UPROOTED. THE MOST HEAVILY DAMAGED
AREA WAS ALONG A SMALL STRIP OF LAND ON THE WEST SIDE OF LAKE MARTIN
AT WIND CREEK STATE PARK. NUMEROUS PINE TREES WERE SNAPPED OR
UPROOTED CAUSING DAMAGE TO SEVERAL CABINS. MAXIMUM WIND SPEEDS WERE
ESTIMATED AT 90 MPH AT WIND CREEK STATE PARK. THE SWATH OF WIND
DAMAGE ENDED 1.6 MILES NORTH OF JACKSONS GAP ON ROCK SPRINGS ROAD.
A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR SEVERE WEATHER WARNING
PROGRAM IS THE RECEIPT OF STORM REPORTS FROM ALL OUR CUSTOMERS AND
PARTNERS ACROSS CENTRAL ALABAMA. IF YOU WITNESSED OR ARE AWARE OF
ANY STORM DAMAGE DUE TO HIGH WINDS OR TORNADOES…PLEASE CONTACT
YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICE…OR CALL OUR STORM REPORTING
HOTLINE AT 1-800-856-0758.
