UPDATE 3:45 p.m.:
The National Weather Service said the survey team which surveyed tornado damage in Lowndes County Monday has determined it to have been EF-2 strength. Peak winds were estimated at 120 mph. Two people were hurt. The funnel was on the ground for 6.2 miles and had a maximum width of 200 yards. The NWS detailed what happened in the report below.
The tornado initially touched down along Old Lake Park Road south of Hickory Grove Road, causing damage to trees and powerline, with minor damage noted to a manufactured home.
The tornado continued northward, crossing Hickory Grove Road, and causing minor damage to a home at the intersection of Ezelle Road.
An unoccupied double-wide manufactured home was destroyed on
Ezelle Road, with damage supportive of an EF-2 rating.
As the tornado continued north, it impacted another double-wide
manufactured home along Johnson Road, destroying the home with damage also supportive of and EF-2 rating.
The damage at these two locations support the maximum rating of the tornado of EF-2 with an
approximate maximum wind speed of 120 mph. The tornado continued to travel north, causing sporadic damage to trees, homes and outbuildings, in the EF-0 to EF-1 range.
A destroyed farm outbuilding along with roof damage to a single family home was noted along Davis Lane. A metal structure was severely damaged along US Highway 84.
The tornado appears to have dissipated in a pecan orchard north of Highway 84.
Special thanks to Lowndes County Emergency Management for assistance with this survey.
ORIGINAL STORY:
The National Weather Service said they are sending a team to Lowndes County to survey damage following an apparent tornado. The funnel was caught on camera from multiple viewpoints as it tore through the area around Valdosta Sunday afternoon.
ABC 27 received a damage report from the area Sunday afternoon. Find that story here. The First to Know Weather team was tracking the storm as it moved through.
The National Weather Service also said they are sending a survey team to Jefferson County where a radar-confirmed tornado was reported. Trees were also brought down in the area of I-10 where this storm was seen on radar Sunday afternoon.
The NWS said they expect to have more information regarding storm intensity later in the day Monday.
It is severe weather awareness week in Florida and Georgia. The NWS said "Alabama and Florida will conduct a test tornado drill at 10am ET and 9am CT while Georgia will conduct theirs at 9am ET. This "tornado safety drill" will be done instead of our routine weekly NOAA All-Hazards Radio Test. An actual tornado warning WILL NOT sound, but this is an excellent opportunity for schools, civic organizations and businesses around Central Alabama to practice what they would do in the event of a tornado warning."
