The National Weather Service is reporting that at least three tornadoes touched down in Alabama on Saturday evening. The organization said that two EF1s were recorded in Limestone and Lamar counties, and an EF0 was observed in Mobile County.
The city of Athens was the most affected municipality in Limestone County.
According to the NWS, the cell that went through the downtown section of the city reached speeds of approximately 100 mph while also achieving a max path of 160 yards. It was reportedly on the ground for 3.87 miles.
The organization said that the most significant damage from the EF-1 storm occurred at an old warehouse at the intersection of Monroe and Pryor Streets and also at Veterans Memorial Park. The winds at the Park threw a helicopter anchored to a metal pole about 50-60 feet.
@NWSHuntsville @spann Damage by the Veterans Museum on Pryor Street. The new park has damage. The building the museum’s mural was on is gone.
Heavy damage to utilities in that area. pic.twitter.com/HObmGPKVDr
— City of Athens, AL (@AthensAL) December 29, 2024
Congressman Dale Strong, who represents the area, pledged his full assistance to those affected by the storm.
I’m saddened to see the damage in downtown Athens, but thankful there were no injuries. As a federal partner, I stand ready to assist local leaders and small business owners with any resources for recovery they might need. https://t.co/AsDumbFiFR
— Dale W. Strong (@RepDaleStrong) December 29, 2024
The tornado in Lamar County is still under review, but NWS has offered some details regarding its path. No injuries have so far been reported from it.
“The data is still being reviewed, but we can confirm EF-1 tornado damage near the intersection of CR34 and Lumpkin Road at around 9:37 p.m. last night,” the weather service said. “We hope to have the full results of the survey available this morning.”
Mobile’s EF-0 tornado had top wind speeds of 80 mph. It caused no injuries.
The National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center has said there were at least 45 reports of tornado damage across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia from Saturday evening to early Sunday morning.
The government agency will be conducting further surveys in Lowndes, Macon, Montgomery, Shelby, and St. Clair counties to identify other possible tornadoes that touched down in the state.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
