Report lists Russellville tornado as EF-1
Published 3:10 pm Thursday, May 1, 2014
- A preliminary report released by the National Weather Service on Wednesday confirms that a small tornado did touch down for a brief period of time in Russellville on Monday. The tornado can be seen here from inside the Family Medical Clinic in downtown Russellville. Photo submitted by Sacora Martinez.
A preliminary report released by the National Weather Service on Wednesday confirms that a small tornado did touch down for a brief period of time in Russellville on Monday.
According to the report, the tornado has been given a preliminary rating of EF-1 with an estimated peak wind speed of 110 mph.
Survey crews from the NWS in Huntsville were in the area on Wednesday to observe the damage in order to make their determinations.
The report states the tornado first touched down along Whitten Road near the intersection of Willis Road on the northwest side of Russellville.
Crews noted there were uprooted trees in this area along with small trees that had been snapped in half.
According to the report, the tornado then tracked northeast near the Russellville City Schools campus where it caused a large tree to snap and fall onto a home on Clay Avenue causing significant structural damage to the home. It also caused damage to the RHS softball field, the elementary school, and snapped several trees across from the softball field.
The report then states the tornado appeared to weaken briefly with only light damage noted over the next two miles before it touched back down near Alpine Street in the Hester Heights subdivision.
Surveyors noted, “Here numerous hardwoods were twisted, mangled, and snapped. Several trees fell on houses causing substantial structural damage. The tornado reached its maximum intensity of EF-1 with a width of approximately 100 yards.”
The report said that crews conducted interviews with several residents who saw the funnel-type tornado as it tracked across the neighborhood.
The tornado the weakened again but went on to cause minor damage along Mountain View Drive in Hester Heights before it dissipated, the report said.
