National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Barbee Creek Tornado - Tuscaloosa County
May 6, 2009

 

 
EF-1
Estimated Maximum Wind:
90 mph
Injuries/Fatalities:
None
Damage Path Length:
0.48 miles
Maximum Path Width:
100 yards
Approximate Start Point/Time:
33.4790/-87.6438
at 848 am
Approximate End Point/Time:
33.4802/-87.6353
at 848 am

A National Weather Service Damage Assessment Team has surveyed the storm damage in Tuscaloosa County. It has been determined the damage was the result of a tornado. The tornado has been rated an EF-1 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. Damage estimates were consistent with winds around 90 mph.

Two homes sustained moderate damage. One home had its garage door blown in and subsequently a wall blown out. Wind entered into another homes attic and blew out a portion of the roof. A wooden projectile (1 by 6) was blown approximately 100 yards and embedded into the side of a home. A pontoon boat was also overturned. A special thanks to the Tuscaloosa County Emergency Management Agency for help collecting the assessment information.

 

 


 

 

Reflectivity

 

Velocity
The top image is a KBMX 0.5 degree reflectivity loop. The bottom image is a KBMX 0.5 degree storm relative velocity loop. The green indicates wind blowing toward the radar while red indicates wind blowing away from the radar. Only one radar scan indicates a rather tight rotation, near North River. Otherwise, some broad rotation detected on the southern appendage of storm.

 
 

Damage

Roof Damage

Damage

Roof Damage

Damage

Boat Overturned

Damage

Minor Damage