National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Isolated Tornado Damage on March 23, 2012

 

Troy (Pike) EF-1 Tornado

 
EF-1
Estimated Maximum Wind:
90-100 mph
Injuries/Fatalities:
None
Damage Path Length:
1.7 miles
Maximum Path Width:
700 yards
Approximate Start Point/Time:
31.8379/-86.0439 at 9:26 am
Approximate End Point/Time:
31.8547/-86.0230 at 9:33 am
 

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in central Pike County and determined the damage to be caused by an EF-1 tornado with maximum winds of 90-100 mph. This tornado touched down initially just southwest of Pike CR 1 about 2.5 miles southwest of Troy Municipal Airport, where a large partially rotted tree was snapped, and several large tree branches at the edges of plowed fields were snapped. It proceeded northeastward across wooded land and rapidly intensified, becoming 700 yards wide as it crossed Beeman Creek. As it approached CR 1148, the tornado snapped numerous trees, also causing damage to 3 inactive chicken barns. One of the barns lost about 50 percent of the roofing, with structural damage to less than 20 percent of the rafters. Snapped trees also caused minor damage to 2 homes and a single-wide manufactured home. The tornado then weakened rapidly and dissipated over an open field less than a mile from the airport.

Special thanks to Pike County EMA for assistance in conducting this damage survey.

Tornado Warnings were in effect from 8:59 am until 10 am.

 
 
Radar Data 

Radar Image
This is an image of the 0.5 degree reflectivity data from KMXX at 9:26 am as the brief, weak tornado touched down near Troy.
Click to enlarge.

Radar Image
This is an image of the 0.5 degree velocity (SRM) data from KMXX at 9:26 am as the brief, weak tornado touched down near Troy.
Click to enlarge

 

Storm Damage Images - Click to Enlarge

Storm Damage Image
Tree damage

Storm Damage Image
Damage to chicken coop

Storm Damage Image
Damage to chicken coop roof.  3 chicken coops received damage in the area.

Storm Damage Image
House with minor roof damage.  Look at the leaf splattering in the eaves.