NWS Birmingham, Alabama
Weather Forecast Office
Prattville/Millbrook Tornado - February 17, 2008
Rating:
(Click for EF Scale) |
EF-3
|
Maximum Wind:
|
155 mph
|
Injuries/Fatalities:
|
At least 50 injuries
|
Path Length:
|
14.5
|
Maximum Path Width:
|
440 yards
|
Start:
|
32. 4004/-86.4752 at 258 PM |
End:
|
32. 5848/-86.3755 at 311 PM
|
Autauga County...
A National Weather Service Damage Assessment Team has surveyed the damage across Autauga County and determined the damage was the result of a strong tornado. The tornado was rated an EF-3 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. Damage estimates were consistent with wind speeds around 155 mph. The tornado damage path was 14.5 miles long and was 440 yards wide at its widest point. The tornado touched down near the waste water treatment facility south southwest of Prattville. The tornado tracked northeastward and crossed US Highway 82, US Highway 31, and Cobbs Ford Road. The southern and eastern parts of Prattville sustained significant damage. The highest winds likely occurred along Cobbs Ford Road/East Main Street near McQueen Smith Road and in the Silver Hills Subdivision. An estimated 200 residential homes and 40 businesses were damaged or destroyed. Hundreds of trees were either snapped off or were uprooted along the path. In addition...50 injuries were reported. The most significant damage occurred between 300 and 305 pm. A Tornado Warning was in effect from 231 pm until 330 pm.
Elmore County...
The Prattville Tornado continued into Elmore County near Millbrook. The tornado crossed Interstate 65 and State Highway 14 before lifting just west of Speigner Lake. The tornado exhibited a motion shifted slightly to the north as it moved through Elmore County. The tornado snapped and uprooted several trees and produced generally light structural damage to several buildings. A Tornado Warning was in effect from 231 pm until 330 pm. No injuries were reported in Elmore County.
The National Weather Service would like to thank the Alabama State Troopers, The Alabama State Emergency Management Agency, The Autauga County Emergency Managament Agency, The Elmore County Emergency Management Agency, and all Prattville Local Officials for their assistance in assessing the damage. The tornado pictures were courtesy of WAKA TV Montgomery and Mr. Jay Fowler.
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Calera, AL 35040
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