Overturned pick up truck at Ciba Chemical Plant. (Photo: WFO Mobile)
(January 14, 2009) -- A damage assessment team from the National Weather Service forecast office in Mobile confirmed an EF-1 strength tornado struck Mcintosh, Ala. on January 10th. The team estimated winds up to 104 miles per hour snapped large pine trees, damaged half a dozen homes and ripped into several buildings at a chemical plant.
The tornado ended at the Ciba Chemical Plant which experienced roof and metal awning damage. High winds also blew through the glass door entry-ways of several buildings, smashed the rear windshields of a row of pickup trucks. One pickup truck was flipped upside down and extensive tree damage occurred near the entrance to the plant.
The forecast office in Mobile issued a Tornado Warning for the western portion of Washington County at 4:17 p.m. and extended it at 4:45 p.m. This allowed a warning lead time of 20 minutes for residents in Macintosh to take cover. Despite the extensive damage, Washington County Emergency Management Assistant Director Floyd Williams said there were no reports of injuries or deaths.
The Mobile forecasters also made extensive use of Instant Messaging to share warning decision and storm damage information with members of the south Alabama broadcast media.
Damaged home in Mcintosh, Ala. (Photo: WFO Mobile)
Ciba Chemical Plant damage. (Photo: WFO Mobile)