National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

 

Wetumpka/Eclectic EF-2 Tornado (Elmore County)
  January 19, 2019

 

Event Summary

EF-2
Estimated Maximum Wind:
135 mph
Injuries/Fatalities:
4 Injuries
Damage Path Length:
18.18 miles
Maximum Path Width:
700 yards
Approximate Start Point/Time:
3 Sw Wetumpka
32.5202/-86.2370
at 252 pm
Approximate End Point/Time:
4 NE Eclectic
32.6824/-85.9927
at 315 pm

 

NWS Meteorologists surveyed damage from Wetumpka northeastward to Eclectic in Elmore County and determined it was the result of an EF-2 tornado.

The tornado began just southwest of Wetumpka and quickly intensified as it moved northeast into downtown Wetumpka. The extent of damage done to multiple structures in Wetumpka indicated a tornado with high-end EF-2 wind speeds. The degree of damage included: collapse/failure of exterior walls, significant damage to interior walls, roof failures, shifting of structures, and collapse of structures due to direct and indirect causes. Several vehicles were also tossed or rolled, with debris puncturing framing. Trees were also snapped and uprooted. The First Presbyterian Church was destroyed, but rescue/clean-up efforts precluded an accurate assessment of damage.

The tornado continued northeastward, crossed the Coosa River, and then paralleled State Route 170 as it continued to damage structures and snap and uproot trees. The tornado cycled as it moved northeast into the northern portions of the town of Eclectic, evident via a new radar TDS (tornado debris signature) and fluctuating degree of damage. The tornado dissipated just before Lake Martin, near Holly Mill Road.

All EF-2-level damage occurred from downtown Wetumpka to the eastern banks of the Coosa River.

 

Radar Image
Reflectivity (left) and velocity (right) of the tight circulation as the tornado moved into downtown Wetumpka.
Images are from KMXX at 255 pm.

 

Damage Photo
  First Baptist Church in Wetumpka
Damage Photo
  Vehicle Tossed/Rolled
Damage Photo
  First Presbyterian Church in Wetumpka
Damage Photo
  Home Destroyed
Damage Photo
  Wetumpka Senior Center
Damage Photo
  Business Destroyed