NWS: Mobile tornado was an EF-2 - WTVM.com-Columbus, GA News Weather & Sports

NWS: Mobile tornado was an EF-2

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MOBILE, AL (WSFA) -

The National Weather Service survey teams are confirming that the tornado that touched down in Mobile, Alabama on Christmas night was an EF-2 with winds has high as 135mph.

The survey team reports that the tornado was 5.7 miles in length and 200 yards wide.

The tornado initially made contact with the ground near Dauphin Island Parkway and moved northeastward. The tornado continued in that direction, passing near the intersection of Holcomb Avenue and Government Street and Dauphin Island Parkway. Authorities say it was in this area that the storm produced damage consistent with an EF-1 tornado.

The tornado damaged homes, businesses and Murphy High School.

The tornado grew in strength and widened to 200 yards while damaging addition homes, as well as the Trinity Episcopal Church on Dauphin Street.

The tornado lost strength, dropping to an EF-1 as it moved into the Silverwood Street area. Damage in this area was consistent with EF-1 and sporadic EF-2 tornado damage.

The tornado continued a northeastern track across the Mobile Infirmary Hospital, according to surveyors, blowing out windows and damaging vehicles, one of which was flipped.

Before dissipating on Jakes Lane in Prichard, the tornado snapped numerous trees, damaged roofs and tossed several large shipping containers at a warehouse facility.

While there were injuries reported, authorities say no fatalities were incurred in the tornado.

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