EF0 tornado crosses Weogufka, causes minor damage
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By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
Following a round of severe thunderstorms in the early morning hours Sunday, it has been determined that a tornado crossed through Weogufka, causing minor damage.
The National Weather Service sent survey crews into the field in various counties to gauge possible tornado activity. On Tuesday afternoon, the Birmingham office of the National Weather Service reported that survey crews had confirmed that an EF0 tornado went through Coosa County, bringing the total number of tornadoes Sunday to four.
A tornado warning was issued for northern Coosa County at 1:55 a.m. Sunday, February 16, which was valid until 2:45 a.m. The warning stated that at 1:55 a.m. a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Marble Valley, or 7 miles west of Weogufka, and was moving east at 65 miles per hour, with radar-indicated rotation.
Dubbed the “Weogufka Tornado,” the NWS survey crew reported the EF0 tornado had estimated peak winds of 75 mph, with the crew determining that damage was consistent with an EF0 tornado. It had a path length of 10.75 miles and a path width of 250 yards.
The tornado was reportedly active for about 11 minutes, from 2:01 a.m. to 2:12 a.m., starting in northwest Weogufka and ending in southwest Parkdale. There were no fatalities or injuries from the tornado, and only minor damage was reported.
The National Weather Service survey reports that the tornado initially touched down along Prater Road where numerous softwood trees sustained minor damage.
From there, the tornado traveled east-northeast, crossing County Road 29 just north of the Weogufka Family Worship Center. There, many softwood trees were uprooted, along with several homes having received minor damage.
The survey crew reported that the tornado continued, crossing County Road 41 where additional trees were uprooted and power lines were damaged because of fallen trees.
The tornado crossed U.S. highways 231 and 280, where softwood trees were both uprooted and snapped, and some additional tin shed damage was noted. The tornado then dissipated.
Based on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, which helps rate tornadoes from EF0 to EF5, an EF0 tornado has estimated wind gusts of 65-85 mph and causes minor damage.
The National Weather Service’s damage survey reported, “A fast-moving squall line moved through Central Alabama late Saturday night ahead of a cold front. Very strong wind fields with the system resulted in widespread damaging straight line winds across Central Alabama, and all of Central Alabama was under at least a severe thunderstorm warning at some point during the event. Measured wind gusts were as high as 70 mph at the Montgomery Regional Airport. Four tornadoes have been confirmed at this time.”
In addition to the EF0 Weogufka tornado, survey crews determined that there was an EF1 tornado in Hale and Perry counties, an EF1 tornado in Tallapoosa County and an EF1 in Macon County.
As of press time NWS stated that no additional storm surveys are planned, but that it would continue to review the radar data and damage reports to determine if any additional surveys are needed.
