Lamar-Fayette County Tornado - November 24, 2001

Kennedy-Fayette-Carbon Hill Tornado

Home damaged in the Kennedy area of Lamar County.

House damaged in the Kennedy area of Lamar County.

Another home damaged in the Kennedy area of Lamar County.

Home damaged in the Kennedy area of Lamar County.

What may become the longest and strongest tornado of the day began at 10:57 AM CST 4.9 miles southwest of Kennedy. This tornado traveled on a northeast track moving into Fayette County at 11:07 AM CST. Traveling northeast it went across western and northern sections of the city of Fayette doing serious damage to a number of structures. From the city of Fayette the tornado traveled across mostly rural areas damaging occasional structures and downing numerous trees. The tornado while still strong was weaker than it had been in southern Lamar County. The tornado crossed into Walker County at 11:41 AM CST a little south-southwest of Carbon Hill before ending.

Click on image to view approximate track of tornado.

Total path length has been estimated at 38.2 miles with a Fujita rating of F3. The Fujita rating is based on the highest value anywhere along the tornado path. The tornado was an F3 in southern Lamar County but weakened some as it moved across Fayette County where the Fujita rating was an F2. Damage in walker county was rated an F1 as the tornado dissipated. The path was 300 yards wide in Lamar County but estimated to have decreased to about 90 yards wide across much of Fayette County.

Two people were killed in a permanent home in Lamar county just southwest of Kennedy. The number of injuries in Lamar county was not known. No deaths or injuries were reported in Fayette or Walker Counties.

Map of the Kennedy area.

Lamar, Fayette, and Walker Counties were placed in a Tornado Watch at 9:12 AM CST valid until 3:00 PM CST.

A Tornado Warning was issued for;

Lamar County at 10:37 AM CST valid until 11:00 AM CST
Fayette County at 10:52 AM CST valid until 11:45 AM CST
Walker County at 11:36 AM CST valid until NOON.

Click on the images to see a larger view.

Damage to home in northeast Fayette County.

Foundation of mobile home that was destroyed in northeast Fayette County.

Same mobile home as shown above.

Church damaged in the city of Fayette.