From The Tribune staff reports
CENTER POINT The National Weather Service in Birmingham upgraded the tornado that hit the Fultondale area to an EF-3. Damage was reported primarily north of Walker Chapel Road NW to U.S. Highway 31 and to New Castle Road. Crews said winds were at least 150 mph on the evening of Monday, Jan. 25, 2021.
“Keep in mind that intensity & width varied along its path,” the NWS posted on Facebook. “The EF-3 damage was focused near Lykes Blvd. to New Castle Rd.”
The tornado had a path length of 9.5 miles and a max width of 500 yards, according to the NWS.
Here s what we know:
Preliminary survey indicates EF-2 Tornado slammed Fultondale
According to a preliminary investigation, the National Weather Service in Birmingham has designated the tornado that devastated the Birmingham suburb as a High-End EF-2 Tornado.
The storm whipped up winds around 135 mph, according to the NWS. Like a bomb had been dropped
Melvin Weldon was just about asleep with his wife when the tornado sirens triggered near his Lykes Boulevard home northeast of Fultondale. We went to turn the TV on to find out where the tornado warnings were or what was going on. then we heard that noise, Weldon said. We went downstairs, got our son down the stairs and about time we got to the bottom of the stairs is when it hit.
Some Jefferson County schools closed Tuesday following damaging storms
Damage to Hampton Inn in Fultondale By WBRC Staff | January 26, 2021 at 1:40 AM CST - Updated January 26 at 12:46 PM
JEFFERSON Co., Ala. (WBRC) - Some Jefferson County schools will be closed Tuesday, January 26 because of the extensive and devastating damage across the county.
Fultondale High, Fultondale Elementary, Center Point High, Erwin Middle, Erwin Intermediate, Center Point Elementary, Clay-Chalkville High, Clay-Chalkville Middle, Bryant Park Elementary, Chalkville Elementary, & Clay Elementary are all closed Tuesday.
No classes will be held for either traditional or remote students at these schools. All other JEFCOED schools will be open Tuesday.
From The Tribune staff reports
CENTER POINT The National Weather Service in Birmingham confirmed one person was killed in an apparent tornado late Monday, Jan. 25, 2021. Around 30 people were injured. Major structural damage was reported in Fultondale and Center Point and other damage was seen in Clay.
In Fultondale, a 14-year-old boy was killed in the area of New Castle Road. The child was a student at Fultondale High School. Authorities said the child was with his father in the basement of their home when a tree fell on the house. The father was also hurt. The Hampton Inn and Hurst Towing and Recovery also had major damage.