Colbert Heights EF-2 Tornado Survey Summary

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
556 PM CST Tue Dec 17 2019

...NWS Damage Survey for 12/16/2019 Tornado Event - Update #3...

.Update...To add Colbert Heights tornado. All surveys have been
collected in this statement.

.Colbert Heights Tornado...

Rating:                   EF-2
Estimated Peak Wind:      115 MPH
Path length /Statute/:    7.4 Miles
Path width /Maximum/:     250 Yards
Fatalities:               0
Injuries:                 0

Start date:               12/16/2019
Start time:               4:52 PM CST
Start location:           2 SW Colbert Heights / Colbert County / AL
Start Lat/Lon:            34.64 / -87.7331

End date:                 12/16/2019
End time:                 5:01 PM CST
End location:             4 NE Colbert Heights / Colbert County / AL
End Lat/Lon:              34.6881 / -87.6168

Survey Summary: The damage path began on Underwood Mountain Road
where several small hardwood trees were snapped. Tree damage
continued on a northeast track onto County Farm Road where several
large hardwood trees were both snapped and uprooted. More
extensive damage was seen along Lynn Drive, Thomas Road, and
Woodmont Drive where several residential structures sustained at
least minor roof damage and many large hardwood trees were
uprooted and snapped. At least three sheds were heavily damaged
and metal roofing materials were lifted into trees or blown
downstream. Tree damage continued on a path to Foster Nolen Road,
where the most extensive damage occurred. Significant roof damage
was observed on at least 3 single family homes. A roof was
completely blown off of a brick single family residence, where
bricks were blown off the western facing wall and several windows
were blown out. A camping trailer was overturned and several
small sheds were destroyed. Extensive tree damage was seen with
many large hardwood trees uprooted and snapped near the base.
There was evidence suggesting the tornado cycled around this
location before continuing east.

Tree damage continued along US-43 where several hardwood trees
were snapped. Four trailers were overturned at the Longhorn R Arena
off of 3 Mile Lane and several large hardwood trees were uprooted.
Extensive shingle damage occurred at one brick single family
residence on the eastern side of 3 Mile Lane. Tree damage
continued along the path and ended near Gargis Lane, where
branches were snapped on a few smaller hardwood trees.

Thanks to the Colbert County EMA for their assistance in
completing this survey.