NWS Confirms Strength Of Fultondale Tornado

JEFFERSON COUNTY, AL — Monday night's tornado in Fultondale — which injured dozens of people and led to the death of a 14-year-old boy — was at least an EF3 level storm, which is considered strong, according to the National Weather Service in Birmingham.

Weather service crews determined that the tornado resulted in damage consistent with a high-end EF3 intensity storm,with winds of 150 mph in Fultondale. The path was primarily north of Walker Chapel Road NE to U.S. Highway 31 and New Castle Road.

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As the survey continues, the weather service could find evidence that the tornado was even stronger than that. The survey of damage is still ongoing.

The Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency estimated that at least 30 people were injured in the storm, which blew through Fultondale into Center Point around 10:30 p.m. Monday. Eighteen required hospitalization.

"I’ve reached out to Fultondale Mayor [Larry] Holcomb and Center Point Mayor [Bobby] Scott and have pledged to them any support or resources that are available," Gov. Kay Ivey said. "The search and rescue efforts continue today, and we certainly give our thanks to those folks as they carry out their mission."

Rescue teams from Gardendale, Birmingham, Hoover, Mountain Brook, Tarrant and Center Point were assisting Fultondale law enforcement personnel with rescue efforts on Tuesday. The Jefferson County emergency agency urged people other than law enforcement and medical personnel to avoid the area.