National Weather Service Raw Text Product

319 
NOUS44 KMOB 042058
PNSMOB
ALZ051>060-261>266-FLZ201>206-MSZ067-075-076-078-079-050900-

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
258 PM CST Mon Mar 4 2019

...NWS Damage Survey For March 3, 2019 Washington County Tornado
Events...

.OVERVIEW...Two tornadoes occurred in Washington County on March
3, 2019 as severe storms moved across the area. 

.HIGHWAY 17 TORNADO...

Rating:                 EF-1
Estimated Peak Wind:    95 mph
Path Length /statute/:  0.17 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   300 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             Mar 3 2019 
Start Time:             1255 PM CST
Start Location:         3 mi S Chatom, AL
Start Lat/Lon:          31.4188/-88.2566

End Date:               Mar 3 2019
End Time:               1256 PM CST
End Location:           3 mi S Chatom, AL
End Lat/Lon:            31.4195/-88.254

Survey summary: The tornado touched down just west of Highway 17, 
3 miles south of Chatom. The tornado crossed Highway 17 and continued
east into a more forested area. The path length is an estimate as 
a final end point could not be determined due to lack of road access.
The tornado produced EF-1 damage to both softwood and hardwood trees,
some of which were snapped.  

.SIMS CHAPEL TORNADO...

Rating:                 EF-1
Estimated Peak Wind:    105 mph
Path Length /statute/:  2.6 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   100 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             Mar 3 2019 
Start Time:             137 PM CST
Start Location:         8 mi SW McIntosh, AL
Start Lat/Lon:          31.2118/-88.1575

End Date:               Mar 3 2019
End Time:               142 PM CST
End Location:           6 mi SW McIntosh, AL
End Lat/Lon:            31.2152/-88.1142

Survey summary: The tornado began near John Johnston Road and
continued east, adjacent to Fairford Road. The tornado lifted
roughly just south of Price Rivers Road and just east of Fairford
Road. The tornado produced tree damage along its path, snapping
both softwood and hardwood trees. The most extensive tree damage
was noted near the Sims Chapel Holiness Church. At the church 
itself, an addition to the church was heavily damaged. This 
addition was open facing which allowed the wind to get inside of
the structure. A few structures suffered minor damage along the
patch, primarily due to downed trees. Based on radar data, the
start point of the tornado could have occurred west of John
Johnston Road, but this is in a remote area where access is limited.    

EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the
following categories.

EF0...Weak......65 to 85 mph
EF1...Weak......86 to 110 mph
EF2...Strong....111 to 135 mph
EF3...Strong....136 to 165 mph
EF4...Violent...166 to 200 mph
EF5...Violent...>200 mph

Note:
The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to
change pending final review of the events and publication in
NWS Storm Data. 

$$