Survey Summary

The damage that occurred across northwest Colbert and through Lauderdale County was determined to be primarily F-1 tornado damage. The initial damage path of the tornado was determined to have begun about two miles east of the Riverton community in northwest Colbert County. The initial damage was determined to be F-1 damage with maximum winds estimated to be at 100 miles an hour. The initial damage width of the tornado was determined to be at 200 yards. The F-1 damage path was indicated to be at around a half of a mile.

The tornado quickly weakened to an F-0...with winds estimated to be at around 60 miles an hour...with a 20 yard path width. The tornado lifted and then resumed its path, touching down along the Natchez Trace parkway in far southwest Lauderdale County. The damage path width was at 100 yards and intensity of F-1 with a wind speed of 90 miles an hour. The tornado continued its path for around five miles, increasing to a 150 yard path width and wind speeds at a maximum of 110 miles an hour near Central Heights.

The tornado lifted again and then touched down about two miles southwest of Lexington, reaching F-1 intensity with wind speeds noted at 90 miles an hour and a 150 to 200 yard path width. The tornado continued with F-1 intensity as it traveled east and northeast to the Alabama/Tennessee state line, then into Lawrence County, Tennessee.

The lead times for the tornado warnings issued are:

• Colbert County - 21 minutes
• Lauderdale County - 26 minutes