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Friday, November 18, 2011

National Weather Service confirms that damages from Wednesdays storm was done by one tornado

Storm damage in Ridgewood Village off Webster Road near Wire Road in Auburn, Al
Birmingham, AL
The National Weather Service confirms that damages from Wednesdays storm surge was done by one tornado, a continuous path from Notalsulga, AL to Shiloh, GA.  Initial estimates show the storm may have been more than 50 miles long.  Tornadoes are rated on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with 0 being the weakest and 5 being the strongest.
While Lee County experienced damage from an EF-0 to an EF-1 tornado the damage was more extensive in Harris County, GA.  NWS says Harris County was hit by an EF-2 storm, since the tornado made its way across a river.
Jim Stefkovich the meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service in Birmingham, AL. reports he and his crews have been on the ground all day surveying damage from Wednesday's storms in east Alabama.
NWS officials say the tornado's track continues to stretch. In some locations the tornado appears to be a high EF-0 and a low EF-1, with the hardest hit area in Lee County being Lake Harding where speeds reached 105 miles per hour.
NWS officials add that most of the damage in east Alabama may have been done by an EF-0 that had winds that reached 70-80 miles per hour.
Statistics show that in Alabama, November and early December accounts for 30-40% of tornado activity.
Stefkovich says east Alabama residents were well prepared for this storm and many were warned 19 minutes before the storm reached their area.
He believes growing awareness from the April tornado breakout that devastated Alabama, residents were much more apt to take cover and get to a safe location as soon as watches and warnings were issued by local forecasters.
NWS says that they have not had ANY reports of injuries or death in Alabama.
It will take a few days to tabulate the cost of the widespread damage in Lee County, AL and Harris County, GA.

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