National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

 

Vaiden EF-0 Tornado (Perry County)
  December 1, 2018

 

Event Summary

EF-0
Estimated Maximum Wind:
65 mph
Injuries/Fatalities:
None
Damage Path Length:
0.31 miles
Maximum Path Width:
75 yards
Approximate Start Point/Time:
1 NNE Vaiden
32.5290/-87.3640
at 234 pm
Approximate End Point/Time:
1 NE Vaiden
32.5294/-87.3588
at 236 pm

 

NWS Meteorologists surveyed damage south of Marion in southern Perry County and determined it was the result of a tornado.

The weak tornado touched down near Alabama Highway 5 northeast of Vaiden Field Airport in Perry County. The tornado proceeded east northeast onto a property where minor structural damage and tree damage was surveyed. Two large trees were snapped at the base along with several small to medium sized trees either snapped or uprooted throughout the damage path. Two mobile homes on the property sustained minor roof damage, as well as damage to siding and vehicles parked nearby. Debris from the property was lofted into the nearby wooded area including roofing material and a trampoline where more tree damage and snapped tree branches were observed. No additional damage could be observed beyond the endpoint on the eastern portion of the property.

Damage was also surveyed on Hemlock Road and Highway 183 north of Uniontown in Perry County. Minor structural and tree damage was observed on this property that exhibited characteristics of straight-line wind damage. A shed was blown over on its side as well as several small trees snapped or uprooted. No additional damage could be observed nearby.

 

Radar Image
Reflectivity (left) and velocity (right) of the circulation as the tornado crossed Hwy 5.
Images are from KBMX at 235 pm.

 

Damage Photo
  Tree Damage
Damage Photo
  Roof Damage

 

 

 

Billingsley EF-0 Tornado (Autauga County)
  December 1, 2018

 

Event Summary

EF-0
Estimated Maximum Wind:
65 mph
Injuries/Fatalities:
None
Damage Path Length:
0.25 miles
Maximum Path Width:
100 yards
Approximate Start Point/Time:
3 SW Billingsley
32.6326/-86.7415
at 349 pm
Approximate End Point/Time:
3 SW Billingsley
32.6326/-86.7371
at 350 pm

 

NWS Meteorologists have determined that a weak tornado touched down in Autauga County about three miles southwest of Billingsley. Though no damage was observed, a brief tornado most likely occurred in an inaccessible area approximately one-third mile north of the intersection of U.S. Highway 82 and County Road 37. At this intersection, storm chaser video shows what appears to be a funnel cloud with rising motion just west of Highway 82. Seconds later, rear-flank downdraft (RFD) winds are also evident as the storm chaser relocates to the south. This matches up well with radar data from KBMX, and a tornado debris signature (TDS) is noted downstream approximately two minutes after the video ended and for several more scans as the debris disperses. This TDS was also observed from KMXX radar. Around the time of the initial TDS from KBMX, a second video from the same storm chaser was taken one-half mile south of the first video, showing an occluding circulation and RFD clear slot.

 

Radar Image
Reflectivity (left) and velocity (right) of the brief touchdown.
Images are from KBMX at 350 pm.