Elmore/Coosa/Tallapoosa Tornado - December 22, 2011

Elmore/Coosa/Tallapoosa County EF-1 Tornado
December 22nd, 2011

Rating: (Click for EF Scale)	EF-1
Estimated Maximum Wind:	90-100 mph
Injuries/Fatalities:	None
Damage Path Length:	24.9 miles
Maximum Path Width:	300 yards
Approximate Start Point/Time:	32.7438/-86.2996 at 224 pm
Approximate End Point/Time:	32.9902/-85.9920 at 252 pm

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in Elmore, Coosa and Tallapoosa Counties and assessed damage that was consistent with a tornado. A non-continuous tornado track with maximum EF-1 winds of 90 to 100 mph moved across portions and northern Elmore, eastern Coosa and lifted just east of the Tallapoosa County line. The tornado first touched down on Grey Ferry Road resulting in 50 snapped trees. Sporadic damage occurred along the path with two distinct areas reaching EF-1 strength. The first area of EF-1 damage occurred on County Road 14 just east of Hwy 231 in Coosa County. Here, hundreds of trees were snapped with a damage width of 200 yards. The tornado then continued northeast, crossing Hwy 231 and County Road 22. This is where the tornado reached its maximum width of 300 yards near Hissop in Coosa County. The tornado continued northeast and regained its EF-1 strength on County Road 89 near Hwy 280 in Kellyton. Here, a large metal building was destroyed and a large 100 year-old oak was uprooted. The tornado lifted just northeast of Hwy 280 on Hix Road in Tallapoosa County. Along its path, 1 building was destroyed and 1 home was damaged. In total, approximately 400 to 500 trees were snapped or uprooted.

Radar Data

This is an image of the 0.5 degree reflectivity data from KMXX at 227 pm as the circulation approached Pentonville. Click to enlarge.

This is an image of the 0.5 degree velocity (SRM) data from KMXX at 227 pm as the circulation approached Pentonville. Click to enlarge

Storm Damage Images - Click to Enlarge

Tree damage

Tree on pickup truck