NWS confirms EF-1 tornado touched down in Athens

ATHENS, Ala. (WAFF) - The National Weather Service in Huntsville has confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down in Athens on Saturday night following a preliminary damage report.

The survey team found max wind speeds estimated upwards of nearly 100 mph with a max path width of 160 yards.

After surveying the area, representatives with NWS in Huntsville found the following damaged spots:

• Sanderfer Road - large branches on the roadway
• Southwind Drive - Larger trees on the roadway
• Commercial Drive - snapped trees on the roadway
• The tornado produced its first building damage at a KFC located off Highway 72
• Several power poles were snapped along Madison Street and Jeffrey Street.
• Large trees were uprooted and debris near the Limestone Courthouse
• The roof was completely torn off on the CEI Bookstore
• Several other businesses had 20-50% of their roofs destroyed, blown off
• The intersection of Green Street and Marion Street - roof damage and debris found in the street
• 100-year-old oak tree uprooted in downtown square

There have been no reported injuries following the aftermath of the storm, according to officials.

WAFF will update with more information as it becomes available.

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