Opelika Tornado - March 1, 2016

Opelika EF-0 Tornado (Lee Co)
March 1, 2016

Event Summary

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in North Central Lee County just north of Opelika and determined that the damage was consistent with an EF-0 tornado. Maximum winds were estimated to be around 70-75 mph.

The tornado touched down just north of downtown Opelika, west of Oak Bowery Road where numerous trees were uprooted east of the road. The tornado then traveled east-southeast crossing Morris Avenue where additional small pine trees were uprooted. Further to the east, the tornado crossed U.S. 431 and Industrial Blvd. where minimal damage was observed. The tornado finally lifted near the Opelika sports complex on Andrews Road where several more soft and hardwood trees were snapped and uprooted. Along the path, 20 to 30 trees sustained damage. However, little to no structure damage was noted.

Rating: (Click for EF Scale)	EF-0
Estimated Maximum Wind:	70-75 mph
Injuries/Fatalities:	None
Damage Path Length:	3.08 miles
Maximum Path Width:	100 yards
Approximate Start Point/Time:	32.6832/-85.4056 at 827 pm
Approximate End Point/Time:	32.6769/-85.3542 at 831 pm

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Shapefile

Reflectivity (left) and velocity (right) just before the tornado touched down. Images are from KMXX at 825 pm.

Uprooted trees	Uprooted trees