Fernbank Tornado - November 10, 2002

Fernbank Tornado...November 10, 2002

The Fernbank Tornado was the second tornado of the evening in Alabama, but it actually began in Mississippi. The tornado crossed the Alabama-Mississippi State Line at 7:31 pm, downing trees in Luxapallila Creek. When it reached County Road 12, a well built home was deroofed along with tremendous tree destruction. The tornado continued on a northeast track, damaging mostly trees before damaging head stones at the Ebenezer Church and flipping automobiles. The tornado weakened fairly quickly after it passed the church, at 7:42 pm.

This tornado was rated an F2 in Alabama, with winds estimated to be 110 to 130 mph. The tornado will ultimately be rated an F3 because it was more intense in Mississippi before crossing into Alabama. No deaths and two injuries were reported in the Alabama portion of this tornado.

The path length was 7.2 miles, with an estimated width of 150 yards.

Tornado Watch Number 748 was issued at 4:35 pm. A Tornado Warning was issued for Lamar County at 7:19 pm.

Thumbnail images below link to full sized images. All photos were taken by National Weather Service personnel.

House damaged west of Fernbank.

Map of the damage path.

Cars after being thrown about by the tornado.