The first tornado touched down along Hansborough Road about two and a half miles southwest of Cecilia. A trailer and outbuilding were destroyed at this location. The tornado continued east and caused significant damage near the intersection of Bethlehem Academy Road and South Sunset Avenue in Cecilia. Several houses along Bethlehem Academy Road sustained major roof damage with one house losing its roof completely. In this area additional damage included several boats being flipped over along with a large bus being pushed two feet. The bus also suffered exterior damage due to the large amount of flying debris within the tornadic circulation. A large amount of power line damage was also noted.
The tornado continued on an eastward path generally along and north of US 62. The tornado then hit the Altec plant near Ring Road where building damage was observed. Garage doors on the southwest side of the building were pushed inward and significant roof damage occurred. A large electrical transmission line was also downed near this location. The tornado then crossed Ring Road and moved into the Central Hardin High School sports complex. Significant damage was observed here with several large stadium light standards bent in two and knocked over. It should be noted that these stadium lights were supported on concrete pillars. The concrete pillars were broken in two, with the rebar completely exposed. The press box at the football stadium was thrown onto the playing field and destroyed. Almost all parking lot lighting around the sports complex was destroyed. The basketball gym and much of the freshman wing suffered roof and interior water damage. The water damage was due to rainfall that occurred after the roof failed.
Structural damage was also noted just east of the school, mainly along North Black Branch Road and Williamsburg Drive. A number of houses with garage doors facing south of southwest had them blown in. The tornado lifted in the vicinity of College Street Road.
Straight-line wind damage was observed along US 62 into the Elizabethtown area. Several businesses along US 31W south of Mulberry Street received some roof damage. Many hardwood trees suffered damage, however, all of the storm debris were found laying in a west-to-east direction. As the storm moved east of Elizabethtown, straight-line wind damage was observed along Valley Creek Road near Valley Creek Baptist Church. Several large trees in the church cemetery were uprooted by the high winds.
A second tornado then touched down near the intersection of Miller Road and Porter Lane. Here one trailer was knocked off its foundation, while another trailer was completely destroyed. The tornado continued northeast and turned a trailer onto its roof along Miller Road.
(click on the image for a larger version) Photos taken by the NWS:
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Photos sent to us by weather watchers:
 Cecilia |
 Elizabethtown |
Click here for our radar imagery from this event.
Page Updated: 03/23/2008 5:40 AM EDT
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