'Likely' EF1 tornado part of storms causing damage locally today
Jan. 12—The storm that caused damage across Lawrence, Morgan and Limestone counties this morning included "most likely a low-end EF1" tornado based on a preliminary National Weather Service assessment, according to Huntir Cramer, an NWS meteorologist.
Local Emergency Management Agency officials said winds reached as high as 90 mph in the storm.
Cramer said winds of 64 mph at 8:44 a.m. were the highest measured at Pryor Field just outside Decatur in Limestone County. Most of the damage reported in the three local counties occurred from 8:30-8:45 a.m., she said.
More than 13,000 electricity customers lost power in the three counties. Decatur Utilities said it had restored power by early afternoon to the approximately 6,100 customers who lost it. Athens Utilities had 4,300 customers lose power and all but 100 had service restored by late this afternoon.
Joe Wheeler EMC reported about 3,000 customers lost power, including 2,000 in Lawrence County.
An EF1 tornado can have winds of 73 to 112 mph, according to the weather service, and causes moderate damage such as peeling off roof surfaces pushing mobile homes off foundations and moving autos off the road. An EF2 or higher is considered a significant tornado.
