NWS Birmingham, Alabama
Weather Forecast Office
Helena-Alabaster-Pelham F1 Tornado
National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed the damage that affected the Helena, Alabaster, Pelham and Chelsea areas early Saturday morning. The tornado has been rated an F1 with winds estimated around 75 miles an hour.
The tornado first touched down just west of County Road 93 near the Cahaba Wildlife Management Area in Helena. The tornado moved generally eastward and crossed County Road 17, County Road 58, US 31, Interstate 65 and County Road 11 before ending near County Road 39. The tornado damage path was approximately 11.4 miles long and 100 yards wide at its widest point. The tornado was on the ground from approximately 504 AM CDT to 518 AM CDT.
The initial damage was minor with only a few trees uprooted or snapped off west of County Road 17 in Helena. As the tornado crossed County Road 17, it intensified and caused its most significant damage. The most concentrated and significant damage occurred near Scurlock Road and County Road 17 then eastward along County Road 58 to just past County Road 95. Several subdivisions were affected including Braelinn Village, Amberley Woods, Navajo Hills and Port South. Numerous homes suffered shingle and minor roof damage along with a few broken windows. Many trees and power lines were either blown down or snapped off. Power was unavailable for several hours due to downed power poles. A few homes suffered major damage due to fallen trees. Several automobiles and outbuildings were destroyed. A municipal park in Helena sustained minor damage. As the tornado crossed US 31 near Walmart, several large trees and signs were blown down or snapped off. A few homes just east of US 31 were damaged from fallen trees. For the remainder of the tornadoes path, the damage was relatively minor and mainly affected trees. The tornado crossed the Weatherly subdivision and the Ballantrae Golf Course and subdivision before ending just east of County Road 39 near Hidden Ridge.
Watches/Warnings:
Tornado Watch number 215 was in effect from 500 AM until 1200 PM CDT.
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was in effect from 450 AM until 545 AM.
Current Hazards
National Outlooks
Tropical
Local Storm Reports
Public Information Statement
Graphical Hazardous Weather Outlook
Current Conditions
Regional Weather Roundup
Regional Highs/Lows/Rainfall
Drought Monitor
Rivers and Lakes
Forecasts
Graphical Forecasts
Forecast Discussion
Air Quality
Fire Weather
Aviation Weather
Climate and Past Weather
Past Events
Storm Data
Tornado Database
Daily Rainfall Plots
Local Climate Data
Tropical Cyclone Reports
Warnings and Other Products
Tornado Warnings
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings
Flash Flood Warnings
Winter Weather Warnings
Special Weather Statements
Non-Precipitation Warnings
Flood/River Flood Warnings
Productos en Español
Conciencia y Preparación
Previsión de 7 DÃas
Weather Safety
Severe Safety w/ ASL
NOAA Weather Radio
All-Hazards Awareness Booklet
Severe Weather Preparedness
Severe Safety Rules
Tornado Safety Rules
Awareness Weeks
Severe Weather
Hurricane Preparedness
Summer Safety Campaign
Winter Weather
US Dept of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Weather Service
NWS Birmingham, Alabama
465 Weathervane Road
Calera, AL 35040
205-664-3010
Comments? Questions? Please Contact Us.