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NOUS44 KBMX 210316
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ALZ040-041-211530-

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
916 PM CST Sun Jan 20 2019


...NWS DAMAGE SURVEY FOR JANUARY 19TH, 2018 TORNADO EVENT...

.OVERVIEW...A strong storm system developed over the Southern Plains 
on Friday. The surface low pressure area deepened as it moved 
northeastward across the Lower Mississippi Valley early Saturday. 
Gusty southerly winds ushered 60s surface dew points into south-central
Alabama. The strong storm system was accompanied by high wind shear 
values, forcing, and lift. The strong southerly winds allowed the 
temperatures to warm quickly into the 60s. The combination of this 
high-shear environment and just enough surface instability was 
conducive to severe thunderstorm development. 

Several rotating thunderstorms were present within a broken line of 
storms that moved through Central Alabama on Saturday. It appears 
that 4 tornadoes touched down and affected Dallas, Autauga, Elmore 
and Coosa Counties. In addition to these tornadoes, there were a few 
reports of damaging, straight-line winds and numerous reports of 
trees down due to the strong winds both ahead and behind the strong 
cold front.

This strong January storm system also caused severe weather in
Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida.

.TORNADO #1 Tyler Tornado (Dallas and Autauga Counties)...

Rating:                 EF-1
Estimated Peak Wind:    100 mph
Path Length (Statute):  6.18 miles
Path Width (Maximum):   75 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             01/19/2019 
Start Time:             1:47 pm CST
Start Location:         7.5 SE Selma
Start Lat/Lon:          32.3482 / -86.7275 

End Date:               01/19/2019
End Time:               1:55 pm CST
End Location:           11.2 ESE Selma
End Lat/Lon:            32.3981 / -86.8233 

Survey Summary: National Weather Service Meteorologist surveyed the
damage in Dallas and Autauga Counties. The damage was consistent 
with that of a tornado.

The tornado touched down near the intersection of County Road 74 and
County Road 885. This location is in eastern Dallas County 7 to 8 
miles southeast of Selma. The tornado either snapped off or uprooted 
hundreds of trees as it moved northeastward. As the tornado moved 
parallel to County Road 461, it damaged some large farm irrigation 
equipment. The tornado turned slightly eastward as it neared the 
intersection of County Road 461 and County Road 462, then crossed the
Alabama River. The tornado moved a short distance in Autauga County 
and lifted near County Road 1 and Jim Adams Lake. This location is 
about 11 miles east southeast of Selma. The tornado damage path was 
6.18 miles long and was 75 yards wide at its widest point. The 
maximum winds were around 100 mph.

.TORNADO #2 Booth Tornado (Autauga County)...

Rating:                 EF-1
Estimated Peak Wind:    90 mph
Path Length (Statute):  9.29 miles
Path Width (Maximum):   400 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               2

Start Date:             01/19/2019 
Start Time:             2:04 pm CST
Start Location:         6.54 NW Autaugaville
Start Lat/Lon:          32.4847 / -86.7275 

End Date:               01/19/2019
End Time:               2:17 pm CST
End Location:           4.89 NNW Booth
End Lat/Lon:            32.5467 / -86.5900 

Survey Summary: National Weather Service Meteorologist surveyed the
damage in Autauga County. The damage was consistent with that of a  
tornado.

The tornado touched down at Shiloh Drive and County Road 45, 6 to 7
miles northwest of  Autaugaville. The tornado caused minor roof 
damage to one home and also produced minor tree damage. The tornado 
continued almost due east to County Road 19, where one home suffered 
roof damage and numerous trees were snapped and uprooted. At this 
point, the tornado turned toward the northeast and traveled through a
forested and swampy area. As it reached Seaside Road, the tornado 
destroyed a small business garage, damaged a few outbuildings, and 
continued more tree damage. At this point, the tornado again turned 
toward an east northeast motion traveling through a large wooded area
and downing trees along the way. At County Road 46, two homes 
suffered minor roof and siding damage along with more tree damage. 
The tornado continued producing tree damage as it crossed US Highway 
82, County Road 69, and County Road 21. Between County Road 21 and 
Goodson Howser Road, a couple of homes received minor roof damage, a 
few outbuildings were damaged, and trees were knocked down. In 
addition, one unsecured mobile home was rolled over and destroyed. 
The two occupants of this home were injured but survived. The tornado
damage became weaker and the tornado eventually lifted just before 
Goodson Howser Road. The tornado damage path was 9.29 miles long and 
was 400 yards wide at its widest point. The maximum winds were around
90 mph.

.Tornado #3 Wetumpka-Eclectic Tornado (Elmore County)...

Rating:                 EF-2
Estimated Peak Wind:	135 mph 
Path Length (Statute): 	18.18 miles 
Path Width (Maximum): 	700 yards 
Fatalities: 			0 
Injuries: 				4

Start Date:             01/19/2019 
Start Time:             2:52 PM CST
Start Location:         3 SW Wetumpka
Start Lat/Lon:          32.5202 / -86.2370 

End Date:               01/19/2019
End Time:               3:15 PM CST
End Location:           4 NE Eclectic
End Lat/Lon:            32.6824 / -85.9927

A NWS survey team confirmed a tornado of EF-2 intensity that affected
areas from Wetumpka to Eclectic in Elmore County. The tornado began
just southwest of Wetumpka and quickly intensified as it moved
northeast into downtown Wetumpka. The extent of damage done to 
multiple structures in Wetumpka indicated a tornado with high-end 
EF-2 wind speeds. The degree of damage included: collapse/failure of
exterior walls, significant damage to interior walls, roof failures,
shifting of structures, and collapse of structures to to direct and 
indirect causes. Several vehicles were also tossed or rolled, with 
debris puncturing framing. Trees were also snapped and uprooted. The
First Presbyterian Church was destroyed, but rescue/clean-up efforts
precluded an accurate assessment of damage.

The tornado continued northeastward, crossed the Coosa River, and
then paralleled SR 170 as it continued to damage structures and
snap and uproot trees. The tornado cycled as it moved northeast into the
northern portions of the town of Eclectic, evident via a new RADAR 
TDS (Tornado Debris Signature) and fluctuating degree of damage. The  
tornado dissipated just before Lake Martin, near Holly Mill Road. 

All EF-2-level damage occurred from downtown Wetumpka to the eastern
banks of the Coosa River. Pending additional assessment of a few
structures of interest, the rating for this tornado may or may not be
adjusted.

.Tornado #4 Coosa County Road 101 Tornado (Coosa County)..

Rating:                 EF-1
Estimated Peak Wind:    100 mph
Path Length (Statute):  1.7 miles
Path Width (Maximum):   112 yards 
Fatalities: 			0 
Injuries: 				0

Start Date:             01/19/2019 
Start Time:             2:58 PM CST
Start Location:         2 W Cottage Grove
Start Lat/Lon:          32.8535 / -86.1551

End Date:               01/19/2019
End Time:               3:01 PM CST
End Location:           1 SSE Hissop
End Lat/Lon:            32.8762 / -86.1439

A NWS survey team confirmed a tornado of EF-1 intensity that occurred
just southeast of Rockford. The tornado moved northeast along Coosa
County Road 101, between Coosa County Road 61 to the south and 
Alabama Highway 22 to the north. Hundreds of trees were 
damaged/snapped or uprooted.

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. 

$$

Satterwhite/Linhares/Goggins