National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

 

 

Settlement Road EF-2 Tornado (Pickens County)
  January 11, 2020

 

Event Summary

EF-2
Estimated Maximum Wind:
134 mph
Injuries/Fatalities:
3 Fatalities / 7 Injuries
Damage Path Length:
6.33 miles
Maximum Path Width:
1056 yards
Approximate Start Point/Time:
2 E Pickensville
33.2379/-88.1545
at 1111 am 
Approximate End Point/Time:
7 SW Reform
33.3253/-88.1223
at 1120 am 

 

NWS Meteorologists surveyed damage in northern Pickens County just west of Carrollton and determined it was the result of a tornado.

A tornado touched down south of Highway 86, just on the south side of Coleman Road. This location is about 2 miles east of Pickensville. From there, the tornado moved north-northeast, crossing Highway 86. Along Highway 86, there were at least 3 homes damaged with 1 losing most of its roofing. Numerous hardwood and softwood trees were snapped off or were uprooted at this location. The tornado continued north-northeast across Turnipseed Road, causing significant tree damage. Next, the tornado moved along Settlement Road, nearly paralleling the road northward. At this point, the tornado was likely near its peak intensity. Numerous homes were damaged or destroyed on the west side of Settlement Road, while homes on the east side sustained generally minor damage. Of the homes destroyed, six were site-built homes. Four manufactured homes were completely destroyed, three of which had anchoring systems that failed. All four manufactured home frames were found considerable distances from the home sites. Three fatalities occurred in two of these manufactured homes on Settlement Road. In addition, all of the injuries were also on Settlement Road. The tornado continued through the forest and crossed Pine Grove Road near McDaniel Road. The farm at this location sustained significant damage with the home and at least two barns heavily damaged. Numerous hardwood and softwood trees were uprooted or snapped as well. From here, the tornado continued north-northeastward and began to weaken. It crossed Pearson Road, uprooting several trees before dissipating north of Pearson Road and west of Phoenix Road. At least 22 homes suffered varying degrees of damage. The tornado path length was 6.33 miles long and was 1056 yards wide at its widest point.

 

Radar Image
Reflectivity (left) and velocity (right) of the tornado as it crossed Settlement Road.
Images are from KGWX at 1115 am.

 

Damage Photo
 Manufactured Home Destroyed
Damage Photo
  Home Destroyed
Damage Photo
 Manufactured Home Destroyed
Damage Photo
  Home Destroyed
Damage Photo
 Manufactured Home Destroyed
Damage Photo
  Manufactured Home Destroyed