Public Information Statement 10/26/2010

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
550 pm CDT Thu Oct 28 2010

...Numerous Reports of Severe Weather Tuesday Night including an EF-1 Tornado in Jefferson County...

A lingering cold front stalled across central Alabama producing several waves of severe weather beginning Sunday evening through Thursday morning. Scattered severe thunderstorms affected the area Tuesday evening producing numerous reports of wall clouds and funnel clouds. Several reports of wind damage were received.

A survey team of national weather service meteorologists has completed their assessment of the damage in Jefferson
County.

...Jefferson County Tornado...
Event date: October 26, 2010
Event type: EF-1 tornado
Estimated peak winds (mph): 80-90
Injuries/fatalities: one injury
Event start location & time: 33.6096/-86.7093 9:10 pm
Event end location & time: 33.6352/-86.6423 9:17 pm
Damage path length (in miles): 4.3
Damage width (in yards): 200

Warnings: Severe Thunderstorm Warning #316 was in effect from 8:35 pm until 9:15 pm. Severe Thunderstorm Warning #317 was in effect from 9:14 pm until 10:00 pm Watches: Tornado Watch #730 was in effect from 8:05 pm until 2:00 am.

The tornado initially touched down approximately 3.5 miles northeast of the Birmingham airport near L.M. Smith Middle School and traveled northeast crossing Huffman Road, Center Point Parkway, Old Springville Road and Brewster Road. The tornado dissipated just south of the Grayson Valley Country Club. Numerous homes received minor roof damage with 25-50 large trees uprooted or snapped. Damage to structures was spotty mainly due to trees falling down. While most damage was limited to siding and roofing, three homes received major damage.

For a comprehensive list of severe reports...please see the local storm reports.

A major contribution to the success of our severe weather warning program is the receipt of storm reports from all of our customers, partners and storm spotters. If you witnessed or are aware of any storm damage due to high winds or tornadoes, or received some hail, please contact your local emergency management office or call our storm reporting hotline at 1-800-856-0758.