Leeds Tornado - February 26th, 2008

Leeds Tornado - February 26th, 2008

Rating: (Click for EF Scale)	EF-1
Estimated Maximum Wind:	100 mph
Injuries/Fatalities:	1 Fatality
Damage Path Length:	2.8miles
Maximum Path Width:	500 yards
Approximate Start Point:	33.5492/-86.5654 at 342 AM
Approximate End Point:	33.5419/-86.5175 at 345 AM

A National Weather Service Damage Assessment Team has surveyed the storm damage in Leeds and in eastern Jefferson County. After investigating a very complex pattern of widespread damage with both a ground survey team and an aerial survey, the team determined the damage was a result of a tornado. The tornado has been rated an EF-1 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. Damage estimates were consistent with winds around 100 mph.

The tornado damage path was approximately 2.8 miles long and 500 yards wide at its widest point. The tornado touched down east of Interstate 20 near Henry Ellen Rd...where trees falling on a mobile home caused a fatality. The tornado tracked east-southeastward at a heading of 100 degrees...roughly between the railroad tracks and Highway 78 towards the city center. There was significant roof damage to several buildings along Highway 78 from Leeds City Park in the downtown area...windows were blown out of several businesses...buildings were partially de-roofed...and the brick facade of one building was collapsed. The old rock wool warehouse facility received major... irreparable damage. The most concentrated and significant material damage occured near Leeds High School. Fencing around the girls softball field was mangled and twisted...and a large batting catch was overturned and rolled. Tall wooden utility poles with field lighting were snapped half way up. Several homes just to the east of the athletic fields received significant damage. Witnesses in the area reported hearing a freight train.

Over the path of this tornado...an estimated 30 to 40 homes and 20 to 30 businesses were damaged or destroyed. Several hundred trees were either snapped off or were uprooted along the path. No other injuries were reported. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch was in effect at the time... and a Severe Thunderstorm Warning was in effect from 323 am until 4 am.

Special thanks to the Leeds Police Department for assisting in this storm survey.

Tornado Damage Path
Mobile Home Destroyed	Trees Uprooted
Roof Damage	Roof and Wall Damage
Debris	Mobile Home Destroyed