Producing content you read on this website takes a lot of time, effort, and hard work. If you value what we do here, please consider subscribing today.
An EF-2 tornado touched down in Wetumpka, Elmore County, AL around 21:44 UTC (15:44 CST) on January 19, 2019. This is about 20 km (12 miles) N of Montgomery.
The tornado had a maximum width of 640 m (700 yards), 29 km (18.2 miles) long track and maximum winds estimated at 217 km/h (135 mph).
It destroyed portions of Wetumpka (population 8 148), including historic churches, homes and businesses. Downtown Wetumpka was hit particularly hard.
One injury was reported by 16:44 CST and 25 damaged or destroyed homes.
Wetumpka Police Station is heavily damaged as well as First Presbyterian and First Baptist churches. Luckily, both churches were empty at the time.
Image credit: NWS Birmingham
Image credit: NWS Birmingham
Image credit: NWS Birmingham
Image credit: NWS Birmingham
"Elmore County EMA and first responders are currently assisting the City of Wetumpka in their efforts. Citizens are urged to stay clear of downtown Wetumpka and areas affected along the track of the storm. Unnecessary travel is hindering emergency personnel from clearing roadways of downed power lines, trees, and debris," county officials said.
"A curfew in downtown Wetumpka has been established for 6:00 pm tonight. Only emergency personnel will be permitted in the area to assist residents."
The curfew will be in effect until 06:00 CST, January 21.
Additional damage was reported in Dallas, Autauga, Coosa and other locations in Elmore County.
Featured image credit: NWS Birmingham
Register/become a supporter
Support us AD-FREE
Your support is crucial for our survival. It makes this project fully self-sustainable and keeps us independent and focused on the content we love to create and share.
Monthly subscription
Yearly subscription
You'll receive your ad-free account for 20x faster browsing experience, clean interface without any distractions, ability to post comments without prior editorial check, all our desktop and mobile applications (current and upcoming) ad-free and with the full set of features available, a direct line of communication and much more. See all options.
