Abernant Tornado - November 10, 2002

Abernant Tornado...November 10, 2002

The Abernant Tornado touched down in a wooded area west of County Road 99 around 10:22 pm. The tornado traveled east-northeast, damaging structures on Ridge Road before crossing into Jefferson County.

The tornado entered Jefferson County at 10:29 pm, and damaged structures in the Johns and Sumter areas before damaging a manufacturing facility just southwest of VisionLand Theme Park. The tornado crossed Interstate 65 and US Highway 11 where additional houses and businesses were affected. The tornado ended at this point at 10:43 pm.

This F2 tornado had a path length of 15.2 miles, 2.9 miles in Tuscaloosa County and 12.3 miles in Jefferson County. The path width was about 450 yards. Three injuries were reported in Tuscaloosa County.

Tornado Watch Number 748 was issued at 4:35 pm. A Tornado Warning was issued for Tuscaloosa County at 10:14 pm, and for Jefferson County at 10:23 pm.

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

Scattered damage in the Belle Sumpter Road area, near the Sumter Community west of Bessemer.	More tree and house damage in Sumter.	A toppled crane at the Vulcan Bessemer Quarry.
Damage at the Durose Manufacturing plant.	Another look at the Durose Manufacturing plant.	The Western Sizzlin restaurant in Bessemer.
Another view of the damage to the Western Sizzlin restaurant.	Map of the damage path.