NWS Birmingham, Alabama
Weather Forecast Office
Cottonton Tornado - February 17, 2008
Rating:
(Click for EF Scale) |
EF-2/Tornado may have been on the ground into Georgia and all numbers may change when entire path is determined
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Maximum Wind:
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125 mph
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Injuries/Fatalities:
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4 injuries
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Path Length:
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7.73 miles
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Maximum Path Width:
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1000 yards
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Start:
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32.0864/-85.1621at 340 PM
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End:
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32.1424/-85.0478 at 352 PM
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A National Weather Service Damage Assessment Team has surveyed the damage in Russell County and it has been determined the damage was the result of a tornado. The tornado has been rated an EF-2 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. Damage estimates were consistent with winds around 125 mph. The tornado damage path in Alabama was 7.8 miles long and was one mile wide at its widest point.
The tornado touched down near the intersection of US Highway 431 and County Road 51 in the southern portion of the county. The tornado tracked northeastward to at least the Chattahoochee River near the Cottonton community. The most significant damage was located near County Road 12. At least two mobile homes were destroyed and two frame houses received significant damage. Numerous trees were either snapped off or were uprooted along the path. At least one vehicle was flipped over. This was on the ground in Russell County from 340 pm until 351 pm. A Tornado Warning was in effect from 337 pm until 415 pm. Four injuries were a direct result of this tornado. Some of path information may change if it is determined the tornado was on the ground into Georgia.
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NWS Birmingham, Alabama
465 Weathervane Road
Calera, AL 35040
205-664-3010
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