The National Weather Service in Birmingham has downgraded the tornado that struck west Jefferson County on Thursday from an EF-2 to an EF-1.
NWS Meteorologists surveyed the storm damage and indicated that there were three separate areas of noticeable damage. This means the funnel was “skipping” as it swayed from less intense to more intense.
The first landing broke limbs, uprooted and snapped trees along Fifth Street North, between U.S. Highway 11 and Avenue A. The tornado then traveled northeast and created more damage along Interstate 20/59 and U.S. 11. The first place of notable damage was the KFC, Express Oil Change and the Alabama ABC store near Western Hills Mall. A nearby strip mall on Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard also suffered heavy damage. After assessing degree of the damages, meteorologists reduced the rating of the tornado from the initially reported EF-2 to an EF-1.
Trees fell on homes, causing severe roof damage, as the tornado traveled southeast. In neighborhoods near Miles College, wind gusts caused minor to moderate roof damage. Officials believe the tornado briefly intensified in this area. Although there were more uprooted trees in the area, meteorologist believe shallow root systems and saturated soil from several days of rain made it easier for the trees to be tipped over by the winds. Since there was a lack of roof damages to the homes, officials believe the overall damage during this part of the tornado’s track didn’t qualify it for the EF-1 rating.
Lastly, the tornado crossed Interstate 20/59. A car bay at Tire Tech in Ensley received some minor damage. A few car windows were blown out at the Freeway Honda car dealership. Uprooted trees and roof damages were located at Tuxedo Park apartments on the northside of Interstate 20/59. The funnel became very sporadic and increasingly less significant as it neared Bankhead Highway. It completely dissipated near CSX Transportation railways near Pratt Highway.
by Jonece Starr Dunigan
June 23, 2017
