National Weather Service Raw Text Product

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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Morristown TN
315 PM EDT Wed Apr 15 2020 /215 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2020/

...NWS Damage Survey For 04/12/2020 Tornado Event...

.Hamilton County Tornado...

Rating:                 EF3

Estimated Peak Wind:    145 mph
Path Length /statute/:  14.5 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   1500.0 yards
Fatalities:             3
Injuries:               19

Start Date:             04/12/2020
Start Time:             11:19 PM EDT
Start Location:         6.8 SE Chattanooga / Hamilton County / TN
Start Lat/Lon:          34.9859 / -85.1915

End Date:               04/12/2020
End Time:               11:33 PM EDT
End Location:           5.3 NE Ooltewah / Bradley County / TN
End Lat/Lon:            35.1040 / -84.9816

Summary: This tornado could have begun just inside the Georgia State 
line and continued into Hamilton County. It quickly moved across the 
Harris Hills area where some trees were uprooted. It then continued 
towards East Brainerd Road and Stratman Circle where an auto parts 
store was completely leveled and nearby structures had significant 
roof damage done. The tornado then struck the end of a large shopping 
building where a restaurant was located. The restaurant façade was 
destroyed and the roof was peeled back. This is where the tornado 
picked up strength and was near its peak intensity. It continued northeast 
into the Drake Forest neighborhood where extensive structure, roof, and 
tree damage was noted. There were likely pockets of EF-3 damage here, 
as well. The tornado damage path really widened as it moved northeast 
into the Holly Hills neighborhood. This was likely the widest part of 
the tornado. Nearly as far as you could see to the southeast, tree 
trunks were snapped and significant home damage was noted. Some areas 
were blocked by tree debris and fallen power poles as well as large 
clean up machinery which limited easy access to some areas. Additional 
damage was found in Ooltewah near the Summit Softball Complex and 
particularly the significant roof damage to several units/buildings 
of the Integra Hills Preserve Apartments. The tornado weakened as it 
crossed South Lee Highway and eventually dissipated in southwestern 
Bradley County. The length of the path in this statement is only for 
the Tennessee portion of the tornado. 

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 event and publication in NWS
Storm Data.

$$