Talladega & Calhoun Co Wind Damage - February 26th, 2008

Talladega & Calhoun Counties Wind Damage - February 26th, 2008

Wind damage along Interstate 20... Airport Road... and Highway 78 west of Oxford... was caused by straight-line winds. These winds were estimated to be on the order of 85 to 90 mph... or comparable to an EF-1 tornado. Most of the damage was in the form of snapped trees... uprooted trees... and limbs knocked down. There were some blown down signs and some damage to billboards.

The line of thunderstorms accelerated through the area around 418 am. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was in effect from 413 to 445 am.

The roof damage at Saks High School was determined to be caused by straight-line winds. Estimated wind speeds were on the order of 70 to 80 mph... or comparable to an EF-0 tornado.

The widespread wind damage east of Friendship Road... beginning in the Douglas Drive... Glover Drive... and Jerry Avenue area... southeast of Oxford... was also determined to be associated with straight-line winds. These winds were likely on the order of 90 to 100 mph... or comparable to an EF-1 tornado. Numerous Oak trees were uprooted and numerous Pine trees were snapped. It is estimated 50 to 100 trees were damaged by the thunderstorm winds. There was some roof damage to a few homes... mainly on the west-facing sides. A roof was blown off a barn. A few fences were also blown down.

The line of thunderstorms accelerated through the Saks and Oxford areas around 420 am. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was in effect from 413 to 445 am.