National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Jemison EF-0 Tornado (Chilton County)
February 7, 2018
 

 
EF-0
Estimated Maximum Wind:
80 mph
Injuries/Fatalities:
None
Damage Path Length:
2.55 miles
Maximum Path Width:
300 yards 
Approximate Start Point/Time:
2 W Jemison 32.9578/-86.7844 at 6:03 am CST
Approximate End Point/Time:
Jemison 32.9644/-86.7422 at 6:06 am CST
 
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The National Weather Service surveyed damage near Jemison in Chilton County and determined the damage was the result of a tornado. The tornado began near the intersection of County Road 25 and County Road 42, about 2 miles west of Jemison, and traveled east along County Road 42.  Damage along the first 1.5 miles of the path was minimal and confined to downed limbs and a loss of metal roofing and shingles on a few structures.  The tornado quickly intensified and grew wider near the intersection of County Road 42 and County Road 38, where numerous structures sustained damage. The St. James Highland Bible Church lost a significant portion of its metal roof and wooden trusses.  The roof did not appear to be particularly well constructed, and the damage was consistent with winds near 80 mph.  Supporting evidence for the classification of a tornado was quite strong in this location, and debris from the church was thrown northward across the path of the tornado.  Several homes near this location also sustained a loss of shingles and other roof covering materials.  The tornado weakened somewhat as it moved eastward toward downtown Jemison, where falling trees caused significant damage to mobile homes near the intersection of Patton Street and Hotel Street.  As the tornado moved just east of U.S. Highway 31, damage was relatively minor and limited to carports, shingles, and a few uprooted trees.  The tornado dissipated about one quarter mile east of U.S. Highway 31 near Chilton Circle. 

 
 Radar Data & Damage Pictures
Radar Image  

This is an image of the 0.5 degree reflectivity (left) and velocity (right) data from KBMX at 605 am CST just after the tornado touched down.

 

 

Damage Image Damage Image

Structure Damage

Structure Damage

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