Major tornado outbreak in Alabama, Georgia and Florida on March 3, 2019: first analysis, reports and stats
A major tornado outbreak hit the southeastern USA on Sunday, March 3. Numerous damaging tornadoes were reported, including at least one violent tornado. We take a closer look at preliminary analysis and data available for this very noteworthy event.
Preliminary data indicates 36 tornado reports on March 3 across Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Florida. 97 tornado warnings were issued.
2300 UTC MRMS 6-hour rotation tracks product. Can clearly see the track of the Lee County supercell passing just south of Montgomery and Auburn. pic.twitter.com/jRbEwXoWgu
— Alan Gerard (@Wxmanms1) 3 March 2019
The most powerful tornado in the outbreak was the Lee County tornado, rated EF-4 by NWS Birmingham. The tornado produced a 109-km long damage track. It was also the cause of all 23 reported fatalities.
Chaser and eyewitness videos clearly demonstrate the enhanced danger of tornadoes in these areas – also known as the ‘Dixie alley’ – where visibility is poor, the view obstructed by trees, cloud bases often very low, resulting in the tornado not being visible virtually all the way until impact. This is the Lee County / Beauregard, AL EF-4 tornado:
Note the textbook tornadic supercell structure, with a clearly visible RFD cut and the wedge tornado. Also note the RFD dragging rain curtains in the latter part of the video.
Damage from the Eufaula (Barbour Co), AL EF-1 tornado:
Additional damage reports:
Drone video shows home is gone, only pool remains, from the Beauregard tornado in Lee County, Alabama Sunday: https://t.co/B96XQMvL6M pic.twitter.com/JDJhW6sYJy
— AccuWeather (@accuweather) 4 March 2019
Destroyed mobile home frame wrapped around a tree in Beauregard AL from powerful #tornado in Lee County. Another story of survival with man riding out the tornado in the bathtub and thrown downstream without serious injury @breakingweather @accuweather pic.twitter.com/M3FB3IoROP
— Reed Timmer (@ReedTimmerAccu) 4 March 2019
These dramatic before-and-after photos shows a house that was literally blown away during yesterday’s EF4 #tornado in Beauregard, Alabama. @ReedTimmerAccu is on the scene and reports that everyone that was in the house survived: https://t.co/urvrfiEP7d pic.twitter.com/wWbRbMLU1H
— AccuWeather (@breakingweather) 4 March 2019
Video: every single line tree snapped off just above the ground in the heart of one of the most intense parts of the #tornado path in Lee County, AL. This is Beauregard @breakingweather @accuweather pic.twitter.com/cifgWXez8t
— Reed Timmer (@ReedTimmerAccu) 4 March 2019
Also see:
Destructive tornadoes hit Alabama, Georgia and Florida, USA – March 3, 2019