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February 28, 2009 · Lee County · 2009
EF2

February 28, 2009

8:25 AM
Lee County, Alabama · Near Opelika (ZIP 36858)
Fatalities
0
Injuries
3
Path Length
8.3 mi
Max Width
500 yd
DateFebruary 28, 2009
Time8:25 AM
CountyLee
CityOpelika
Property Loss$1100000.00M
Crop Loss$0
SourceNCEI 156734
NWS Birmingham

1.9 WSW Salem - 1.8 SSE Valley The tornado touched down southwest of the community of Salem. It then moved just north of due east, crossing US-280 and several smaller county roads, before lifting at CR-379. Winds estimated at 125-130 mph destroyed 6 mobile homes and 4 site built homes, badly damaged 8 homes, and caused minor damage to 9 others. Two area businesses were destroyed, one other received minor damage, and one school building was damaged. Hundreds of trees were snapped off and uprooted, and one 18-wheeler was overturned. There were three minor injuries reported, only one that required hospitalization. Start: 32.589/-85.2596 End: 32.5967/-85.1175

NWS EF Scale: F2

Event Narrative

The tornado touched down southwest of the community of Salem. It then moved just north of due east, crossing US-280 and several smaller county roads, before lifting at CR-379. Winds estimated at 125-130 mph destroyed 6 mobile homes and 4 site built homes, badly damaged 8 homes, and caused minor damage to 9 others. Two area businesses were destroyed, one other received minor damage, and one school building was damaged. Hundreds of trees were snapped off and uprooted, and one 18-wheeler was overturned. There were three minor injuries reported, only one that required hospitalization.

Episode Narrative

A slow moving cold front brought an extended period of severe weather and heavy rain, that lasted about 24 hours. The storms produced damaging winds, large hail, flooding rains, and at least 4 tornadoes.

Outbreak Context

Part of 3-tornado outbreak on February 28, 2009

Shared Episode Narrative

A slow moving cold front brought an extended period of severe weather and heavy rain, that lasted about 24 hours. The storms produced damaging winds, large hail, flooding rains, and at least 4 tornadoes.

Source Data
NCEI Event ID: 156734
SWDI Tornado ID: 2009-02-28T14:24:35Z_KMXX_S8
SWDI Radar Site: KMXX
SWDI Signature: TVS

See Also

8.3 mi500 yd wide