National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Kimberly Tornado - Jefferson/Blount Counties
  1 Mile WNW of Morris - 2.1 Miles SSW Hayden
April 28, 2014

 

Event Summary

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in northern Jefferson County and have determined that the damage is consistent with an EF-1 tornado. Winds were estimated to be around 100 mph.

The tornado touched down near Interstate 65, about one-half mile south of Sardis Road. The tornado moved to the northeast and crossed Interstate 65, where it snapped and uprooted hundreds of trees along the path. As the tornado continued to the northeast and moved into the city limits of Kimberly, several structures were damaged. In Kimberly, a vacant large retail building had its roof removed. The most extensive damage occurred to the Kimberly Church of God where uplift of most of the roof structure resulted in exterior wall collapse. The tornado crossed Stouts Road where the Kimberly Fire Department sustained major damage.The tornado continued to snap dozens of trees as it moved northeast and several homes had shingle damage. As the tornado crossed Bradford Trafford road, multiple trees were uprooted with one falling on a home causing major roof damage. It began to weaken as it crossed into Blount County, where sporadic tree damage was observed. It lifted near Sagefield Lane.

EF-1
Estimated Maximum Wind:
100 mph
Injuries/Fatalities:
4 Injuries
Damage Path Length:
8.7 miles
Maximum Path Width:
800 yards
Approximate Start Point/Time:
33.7514/-86.8303
at 1000 pm
Approximate End Point/Time:
33.8640/-86.7644
at 1017 pm


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4-Panel Radar Imagery. This storm exhibits a well defined hook echo,
strengthening velocity couplet, and a TDS.

 


Wall Collapse

Tree Damage

Trees Snapped

Fire Station Damage

Church Damage

Building Damage