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February 26, 2008 · Jefferson County · 2008
EF1

February 26, 2008

3:42 AM
Jefferson County, Alabama · Near Trussville (ZIP 35094)
Fatalities
1
Injuries
0
Path Length
2.8 mi
Max Width
500 yd
DateFebruary 26, 2008
Time3:42 AM
CountyJefferson
CityTrussville
Property Loss$1000000.00M
Crop Loss$0
SourceNCEI 85237
NWS Birmingham

0.6 E Parkwood - 1.8 W Leeds After investigating a very complex pattern of widespread damage with both a ground survey team and an aerial survey, surveys teams concluded that a portion of the damage in the city of Leeds was caused by a tornado. The tornado touched down east of Interstate 20 near Henry Ellen Road, where trees falling on a mobile home caused one fatality to an elderly woman. The tornado tracked east-southeastward, roughly between the railroad tracks and US-78 towards the city center. There was significant roof damage to several buildings along Highway 78 from Leeds City Park in the downtown area, windows were blown out of several businesses, buildings were partially de-roofed, and the brick facade of one building was collapsed. The old rock wool warehouse facility received major irreparable damage. The most concentrated and significant material damage occured near Leeds High School. Fencing around the girls softball field was mangled and twisted, and a large batting catch was overturned and rolled. Tall wooden utility poles with field lighting were snapped half way up. Several homes just to the east of the athletic fields received significant damage. Over the path of this tornado, an estimated 30 to 40 homes and 20 to 30 businesses were damaged or destroyed. Several hundred trees were either snapped off or were uprooted along the path. Aside from the one fatality, no other injuries were reported. Start: 33.5500/-86.5700 End: 33.5400/-86.5200

NWS EF Scale: F1

Event Narrative

After investigating a very complex pattern of widespread damage with both a ground survey team and an aerial survey, surveys teams concluded that a portion of the damage in the city of Leeds was caused by a tornado. The tornado touched down east of Interstate 20 near Henry Ellen Rd, where trees falling on a mobile home caused one fatality to an elderly woman. The tornado tracked east-southeastward, roughly between the railroad tracks and US-78 towards the city center. There was significant roof damage to several buildings along Highway 78 from Leeds City Park in the downtown area, windows were blown out of several businesses, buildings were partially de-roofed, and the brick facade of one building was collapsed. The old rock wool warehouse facility received major irreparable damage. The most concentrated and significant material damage occured near Leeds High School. Fencing around the girls softball field was mangled and twisted, and a large batting catch was overturned and rolled. Tall wooden utility poles with field lighting were snapped half way up. Several homes just to the east of the athletic fields received significant damage. Over the path of this tornado, an estimated 30 to 40 homes and 20 to 30 businesses were damaged or destroyed. Several hundred trees were either snapped off or were uprooted along the path. Aside from the one fatality, no other injuries were reported.

Episode Narrative

An advancing cold front moving through the state caused widespread wind damage and a few tornadoes across Central Alabama, especially in the eastern half of the state.

Outbreak Context

Part of 3-tornado outbreak on February 26, 2008

Shared Episode Narrative

An advancing cold front moving through the state caused widespread wind damage and a few tornadoes across Central Alabama, especially in the eastern half of the state.

Source Data
NCEI Event ID: 85237

See Also

2.8 mi500 yd wide