Survey
Summary
| EF-Scale Rating |
EF-4 |
| Est.
Peak Wind |
170 MPH |
| Est.
Path Length |
16.7 miles (14.0 in Lawrence, 2.7 in Morgan) |
| Maximum Path Width |
1/2 mile |
Representatives from the National Weather Service and the
Lawrence County Emergency Management Agency conducted an
storm survey of damage that occurred in Lawrence
County and Morgan County, Alabama early in the morning of
February 6, 2008.
The damage was determined to originate from a strong tornado,
which at its peak had winds of approximately 170 MPH, giving
it a rating of EF-4 on the Enhanced
Fujita Scale. Based on reports and an aerial survey conducted
by the Lawrence County EMA, the tornado is believed to have
originally touched down near the Pinhook community in south-central
Lawrence County (just north of the Bankhead National Forest)
around 3:00 AM CST. The tornado remained on the ground for
approximately 16.7 miles; the first 14 miles of the track
occurred in Lawrence County, tracking through the Aldridge
Grove, Fairfield, Five Points, Midway, and Caddo communities,
and it continued into Morgan County for 2.7 miles, lifting
near the Trinity community west of Decatur around 3:20 AM
CST.
The most significant damage occurred in two main areas.
The first occurred just south of the Pinhook community,
near the intersection of County Road 92 and 188. The second
occurred north of Aldridge Grove near the intersection of
County Road 94 and 183, where three fatalities occurred.
Numerous homes received significant structural damage, including
a 2300 square foot/2-story brick house that was nearly leveled
off its foundation. Large trees, with diameters up to 4
feet, were completely snapped, with many uprooted. Fence
posts embedded in concrete were ripped out of the ground
and vaulted 50 to 100 feet in several different directions.
A truck was thrown over a distance of more than 100 yards
into an open field.
Tornado
watch #41 had been issued for all of north Alabama
at 10 PM CST, and was in effect until 5 AM CST (it was later
extended until 7 AM CST). A tornado warning for Lawrence
County was issued at 2:40 AM CST, and a follow-up warning
for northwestern Morgan and southeastern Limestone was
issued at 3:08 AM.
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