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Large EF-3 tornado leaves a trail of destruction in Fultondale, Alabama

fultondale-ef3-tornado-january-2021

The tornado that struck Fultondale (population 9 000), Alabama at around 22:30 CST on January 25, 2021 (05:30 UTC, January 26), has been given a preliminary rating of EF-3 with peak winds around 240 km/h (150 mph). The tornado left significant material damage, 1 person dead and more than 30 injured.

The EF-3 damage was focused near Lykes Blvd to New Castle Rd, NWS Birmingham said. 

"We will continue to review, but don't anticipate a change in rating."

Image credit: NWS Birmingham

Image credit: NWS Birmingham

Image credit: NWS Birmingham

Image credit: NWS Birmingham

The tornado left a 14-year old person dead and more than 30 injured. It had a path length of 15 km (9.5 miles) and a maximum width of 457 m (500 yards). See our initial report, here.

The teenager was killed and several of his family members critically injured when the tornado blew a tree onto their home, the police said.

"They were doing what they were supposed to be doing," Fultondale Police Chief D.P. Smith said.

Pieces of buildings, furniture, appliances and trees were strewn about and vehicles ended up in awkward positions as if a child had flung his collection of Matchbox cars into the air, CBS News said.

One car landed upside down against some tree branches on a large pile of debris.

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YouTube video

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YouTube video

YouTube video

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YouTube video

YouTube video

Fultondale also caught the tail end of an EF-4 tornado that moved across Alabama from Tuscaloosa to northern Jefferson County on April 27, 2011, killing 65 people and injuring 1 500.

The damage path was more than 130 km (80 miles) long.

Featured image credit: NWS Birmingham

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