April 24, 2010

Parrish - Sumiton - Empire A National Weather Service Damage Assessment Team has surveyed the storm damage in Walker, Jefferson, and Blount Counties. It has been determined the damage was the result of a tornado. The tornado has been rated an EF-3 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. Damage estimates were consistent with winds around 140 mph. This long track tornado caused extensive damage in Parrish. The tornado tracked northeastward from Parrish across extreme northern Jefferson County and then ending in Blount County. The tornado crossed US Highway 78, produced damage in Cordova, Sumiton, Empire and surrounding communites and ended after it crossed Interstate 65 near Highway 160 southwest of Hayden. A total of 70 to 80 homes and businesses sustained damage. One home was completely destroyed. At least 1000 hardwood and softwood trees were either uprooted or were snapped off along the damage path. The tornado damage path was 29.5 miles long and was 400 yards wide at its widest point. Start: 33.7336/-87.2864 End: 33.8532/-86.7931

NWS EF Scale: F3

Part of 13-tornado outbreak on April 24, 2010