A powerful tornado swept through Alabama late Saturday into Sunday, causing significant wind damage and heavy rainfall. Thousands found themselves without electricity as the storm wreaked havoc across the area.
In Athens, city officials reported overnight damage in the downtown area, and as day broke, extensive debris was evident. The National Weather Service (NWS) conducted an assessment and confirmed that an EF-1 tornado struck between 11:15 and 11:20 p.m., featuring peak winds reaching 100 miles per hour. The tornado had a path length of 3.87 miles and spanned 100 yards in width.
According to the NWS report, the tornado initially uprooted several large softwood branches on Sanderfer Road, then continued its destructive path northward, damaging hardwood trees and inflicting its first building damage at a KFC, where part of the roof was torn off and debris was scattered across the highway and onto a nearby Taco Bell parking lot. As it moved further north into downtown Athens, the tornado intensified, causing noteworthy destruction.
Several power poles were snapped as the tornado progressed along Madison Street and Jeffrey Street. The downtown area suffered extensive roof damage, with the CEI Bookstore losing its entire roof at the corner of Green and Marion Streets. Damage was widespread, impacting various buildings and leaving debris scattered throughout the vicinity of the Courthouse.
Meteorologists from WVTM 13 were on air throughout the severe weather to keep local residents informed. They observed a radar-indicated rotation that aligned with the timing of the tornado’s impact.
This storm serves as a stark reminder of nature’s power and unpredictability. Communities often come together in the aftermath of such disasters, banding together to support recovery efforts and help those affected. As residents work to rebuild and restore, the resilience of the human spirit shines through, providing hope for a brighter future.