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March 1, 2007 · Wilcox County · 2007
EF4

March 1, 2007

12:27 PM
Wilcox County, Alabama · Near Camden (ZIP 36720)
Fatalities
1
Injuries
2
Path Length
6.1 mi
Max Width
500 yd
DateMarch 1, 2007
Time12:27 PM
CountyWilcox
CityCamden
Property Loss$2000000.00M
Crop Loss$0
SourceNCEI 20465
NWS Birmingham

2.4 E Prairie-3.8 WNW Kings Landing A significant tornado first touched down around 1227 pm at State Highway 28 near Miller's Ferry D am. The tornado then tracked northeast across William "Bill" Dannelly Reservoir moving ashore on Sand Island Drive. This is where most of the severe damage occurred with numerous homes damaged or destroyed. One resident had arrived at his home on the lake to eat lunch when the tornado hit and he was killed when his newer model manufactured home was destroyed. The straps holding the home down all snapped in the same place. He was thrown out of his home and later found in the debris. Neighbors next door had sought shelter in an underground storm shelter outside their house seconds before the tornado hit. When they safely emerged from the shelter, they found their home destroyed. Most of the homes on Sand Island are vacation homes with part-time residents. If the tornado had struck on the weekend when more people are present, the loss of life would likely have been greater. Around 40 homes(four of these were slab homes)were damaged or destroyed along Sand Island Drive with some of the debris scattered up to two miles downstream. The tornado continued quickly to the northeast through sparsely populated areas. Damage did occur to homes and hunting camps along this path. However, the damage here was only rated as EF-0 and EF-1 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. The tornado crossed into Dallas County. In all, one person died and two people were slightly injured by the tornado. The injuries occurred along Sand Island Drive when a single wide trailer was destroyed with the occupants being thrown from the trailer. They were protected from flying debris by part of the trailer that had fallen on top of them. The highest wind speed of the tornado was estimated at 185 mph. A tornado that had previously caused EF-4 damage in Wilcox County crossed the Wilcox-Dallas C ounty L ine about 6.4 miles southeast of the town of Alberta. The tornado then tracked northeastward and ended along the Alabama River, east of the Whites Bluff C ommunity. The most concentrated damage in Dallas County occurred just south of Five Points along County Road 31 and along County Road 33. Twenty seven homes suffered varying degrees of damage, and two homes were completely destroyed. At least six outbuildings were damaged. Numerous trees and power lines were either snapped off or uprooted along the path. Start: 32.1200/-87.4100 End: 32.2700/-87.1400

NWS EF Scale: F4

Event Narrative

A significant tornado first touched down around 1227 pm at State Highway 28 near Miller's Ferry dam. The tornado then tracked northeast across William Bill Dannelly Reservoir moving ashore on Sand Island Drive. This is where most of the severe damage occurred with numerous homes damaged or destroyed.|One resident had arrived at his home on the lake to eat lunch when the tornado hit and he was killed when his newer model manufactured home was destroyed. The straps holding the home down all snapped in the same place. He was thrown out of his home and later found in the debris. Neighbors next door had sought shelter in an underground storm shelter outside their house seconds before the tornado hit. When they safely emerged from the shelter, they found their home destroyed. Most of the homes on Sand Island are vacation homes with part-time residents. If the tornado had struck on the weekend when more people are present, the loss of life would likely have been greater.|Around 40 homes(four of these were slab homes)were damaged or destroyed along Sand Island Drive with some of the debris scattered up to two miles downstream. The tornado continued quickly to the northeast through sparsely populated areas. Damage did occur to homes and hunting camps along this path. However, the damage here was only rated as EF-0 and EF-1 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. The tornado crossed into Dallas County.|In all, one person died and two people were slightly injured by the tornado. The injuries occurred along Sand Island Drive when a single wide trailer was destroyed with the occupants being thrown from the trailer. They were protected from flying debris by part of the trailer that had fallen on top of them. The highest wind speed of the tornado was estimated at 185 mph.|

Episode Narrative

Isolated thunderstorms developed ahead of a strong spring cold front. One of these thunderstorms produced a significant tornado in Wilcox County.

Source Data
NCEI Event ID: 20465

See Also

6.1 mi500 yd wide