McIntosh Tornado Rated EF-1

Alabama Washington The tornado produced winds over 100 mph.

by Jene' Young

Published: Sun, January 11, 2009 - 5:39 pm CST Last Updated: Sun, January 11, 2009 - 5:46 pm CST

The National Weather Service surveyed the tornado damage in McIntosh this morning. They are rating the tornado an EF-1 with wind speeds ranging from 86-110 mph. The length the tornado traveled is estimated to be about 1.6 miles, and the width is estimated to have been 150-200 yards.

Here is the full report from Jeffrey Medlin, the Science and Operations Officer:

Tornado Moves Through McIntosh on January 10, 2009

On Sunday morning, a storm damage assessment team from the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Mobile completed a ground survey of the tornado damage that occurred late Saturday afternoon in McIntosh, Alabama (Southeastern Washington County).

Summary

Rating: EF-1 Tornado (estimated at 97 mph)

Path Length: 1.6 statute miles

Path Width: 150-200 yards wide

Location: From Boykin Boulevard to vicinity of the Ciba plant entrance immediatly east of the Topton Road and U.S. Highway 43 interstection.

Time of Event: 505 PM CST

Injuries: None

Fatalities: None

On Saturday afternoon at approximately 505 PM CST, an EF-1 tornado developed very near the intersection of Topton Road and U.S. Highway 43. The exact beginning of the damage path was just yards away from where Boykin Boulevard and Geigy road intersect. The damage path ended near the Ciba plant. The National Weather Service had posted a tornado warning for the McIntosh Area at 445 PM CST, 20 minutes prior to the event.

Two eyewitnesses at the Ciba plant heard the tornado in advance and then witnessed the tornado as it moved through their location. From the damage indicators observed during the survey, the highest wind speed rating of 104 mph was assigned due to the observation of numerous pine trees whose trunks were snapped. EF-1 tornado wind speeds range from 86 to 110 mph, so this is closer to the upper end of the EF-1 category.

Damage Information

Numerous pine trees were snapped at their bases along the entire path and extensive roof damage was observed to single family residence homes. One home's carport was completely destroyed with approximately half of its roofing deck missing. This particular residence provided excellent ground truth of the converging winds associated with the tornado as it moved through this location.

To see pictures from the damage survey, click on this link.

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