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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
636 PM CST Thu Jan 12 2023

...NWS Damage Survey for 01/12/2023 Tornado Event...

.Highway 24 Tornado...

Rating:                 EF-1
Estimated Peak Wind:    104 mph
Path Length /statute/:  30.4 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   325 yards
Fatalities:             0    
Injuries:               1    

Start Date:             01/12/2023
Start Time:             8:09 AM CST
Start Location:         5 WSW Moulton / Lawrence County / AL
Start Lat/Lon:          34.4494 / -87.3637    

End Date:               01/12/2023     
End Time:               8:45 AM CST       
End Location:           3 NNW Mooresville / Limestone County / AL
End Lat/Lon:            34.662 / -86.8991

Survey Summary: 
A National Weather Service survey team, assisted by Lawrence County,
Morgan County, and Limestone County EMAs, determined the multi-
county damage in North Central Alabama was attributed to an EF-1
tornado with peak winds of 104 mph. 

An isolated severe thunderstorm moving across the Mississippi/Alabama
border on the morning of January 12 quickly organized into a 
supercell as it crossed into western Lawrence County. The 
supercell produced a tornado as it traversed a ridge just west of 
CR 101. Numerous large branches and trees uprooted were observed 
in this location. As the tornado tracked east of CR 101 toward CR 
117, a large number of softwood trees were snapped. The tornado 
crossed CR 117, snapping and uprooting more trees, and causing 
minor roof damage to several residences. What was likely the 
center of the vortex, a single-family home was observed to have 
minor roof damage and near destruction of a large metal workshop 
behind the property. As it tracked east of CR 117, numerous 
softwood trees were snapped or uprooted heading toward downtown 
Moulton. Damage indicators along and near CR 117 were the focus of
this tornado and produced the peak wind estimate of 104 mph. 
Moving northeast at this point, the tornado likely briefly lifted 
before causing isolated damage in downtown Moulton. Minor damage 
was observed at the high school baseball fields and roof damage at
Lawrence Medical Center. The tornado eventually crossed Highway 
24 and caused roof damage to a motel near the Highway 24 and CR 
157 intersection. From this point, the tornado caused sporadic 
tree damage as the tornado was likely lifting and descending 
through Trinity, AL in western Morgan County. 

Crossing into western Morgan Co., the tornado was likely cycling 
and lifting at times between Trinity and Beltline Rd. Power lines 
and occasionally limb damage were noted. Moving toward highway 20,
minor mobile home roof damage was recorded at Kimberly Pines. 
Further east, as the tornado crossed Highway 20, a tractor-trailer
was blown off the road and tipped over. The tornado approached 
Jay's Landing and caused several large campers to flip or be 
displaced. Near this location, an injury was reported at a 
recycling facility. The tornado approached Ingalls Harbor. Damage 
to the law enforcement marina was noted near the shoreline while 
several large trees were uprooted along Highway 20 in this area. 

The tornado crossed the Tennessee River and continued to move
toward the northeast. Tree damage was noted on the campus of
Calhoun Community College, with minor damage to the baseball 
complex as well. Cedar Trees were uprooted east of Pryor Field on 
Garrett Rd. The final damage point was along Fennel Rd and Fennel 
Ln, with large branches downed. The tornado lifted in this 
location. 


&&

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.

$$