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NOUS44 KBMX 050023
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ALZ011>015-017>050-051230-

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
723 PM CDT Sun May 4 2025

...NWS Damage Survey for 05/03/25 Tornado Event...

.Overview...A line of severe thunderstorms moved across parts of
Central Alabama during the evening hours on May 3. One weak
tornado formed within the line near Salem in Lee County.

.Salem Tornado...

Rating:                 EF0
Estimated Peak Wind:    75 mph
Path Length /statute/:  3.76 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   175 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             05/03/2025
Start Time:             07:21 PM CDT
Start Location:         5 NNW Griffen Mill / Lee County / AL
Start Lat/Lon:          32.6036 / -85.2891

End Date:               05/03/2025
End Time:               07:26 PM CDT
End Location:           4 WNW Bleecker / Lee County / AL
End Lat/Lon:            32.6022 / -85.2248

Survey Summary:
A weak EF0 tornado embedded in a line of severe thunderstorms
occurred in the Salem area on the evening of May 3. The tornado
began over a wooded area east of Lee Road 151, northeast of the
NCAT Test Track. The start point was estimated using radar data
as the area was inaccessible by roads. Moving slightly south of
due east, the tornado passed just north of Lee Road 2119, where a
few small trees or limbs were snapped on Lee Road 187. By this
point a Tornado Debris Signature (TDS) was evident on radar. On
Lee Road 749, a few small pine trees had the tops snapped or
limbs snapped off. Little damage was noted across Highway
280 near Dudley Lumber, but more significant tree damage was
noted on property just northwest of Wacoochee Elementary School.
Numerous trees were uprooted and limbs were snapped across the
property, in line with the TDS on radar. One tree limb fell on
part of a home, causing very little damage. Tree damage continued
to just northeast of a large pond, where the track ended. NWS
Birmingham would like to thank Lee County EMA for conducting this
survey.

&&

EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the
following categories:

EF0.....65 to 85 mph
EF1.....86 to 110 mph
EF2.....111 to 135 mph
EF3.....136 to 165 mph
EF4.....166 to 200 mph
EF5.....>200 mph

NOTE:
The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to
change pending final review of the event and publication in
NWS Storm Data.


$$