Gorgas Tornado - April 12, 2020

Gorgas EF-1 Tornado (Walker County)
April 12, 2020

Event Summary

Rating: (Click for EF Scale)	EF-1
Estimated Maximum Wind:	110 mph
Injuries/Fatalities:	None
Damage Path Length:	8.98 miles
Maximum Path Width:	950 yards
Approximate Start Point/Time:	1 S Gorgas Steam Plant 33.6319/-87.2022 at 504 pm
Approximate End Point/Time:	2 SSE Dora 33.7027/-87.0731 at 516 pm

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed the damage in southeastern Walker County and determined it was the result of an EF-1 tornado.

A tornado developed just south of the Gorgas Power Plant along the Mulberry Fork near Copeland Bend. The most focused area of damage occurred along Rainwood Lodge Road where numerous trees were snapped and uprooted, some of which fell on homes. In addition, minor roof damage was observed at several residences along the road. The tornado continued northeastward, uprooting several more trees and breaking branches before crossing Interstate 22. Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted near a convenience store on Sharon Blvd with one tree falling on a nearby manufactured home just before the tornado dissipated. The tornado damage path was 8.98 miles long and was 950 yards wide at its widest point. The maximum winds were estimated around 110 mph.

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Reflectivity (left) and velocity (right) of the circulation just after the tornado touched down. Images are from KBMX at 506 pm.

Tree Damage	Tree Damage