March roared in like a lion across South Alabama and Georgia on March 1, 2007 as 31 tornadoes caused 19 fatalities during the afternoon and evening hours.
There were a total of 13 strong to violent (EF2 or greater) tornadoes and five killer tornadoes.
The event was well forecast, with a high risk outlook in place and good advance PDS watches and warnings. Warning lead times on all tornadoes averaged 16 minutes with an average 20 minute lead time on killer tornadoes.
A large negatively tilted trough and powerful upper wind fields allowed for the development of the big tornadoes.
In Coffee County, Alabama, tornado warnings started before 11 a.m.. At 1:10 p.m. CST, an EF4 struck the city of Enterprise. School administrators had students in designated shelters as part of their tornado plan. Despite the preparations, a wall collapsed on a group of people, killing eight students.
The event prompted a debate as to whether school should have let out early because of the pending threat.
Another EF4 tornado struck Miller’s Ferry in Alabama killing one man. In Georgia, an EF2 tornado destroyed a mobile home park near Newton, killing 6. Two died in Americus, Georgia, when an EF3 tornado struck during the evening.
– Bill Murray
[email protected]
Follow my weather history tweets on Twitter. I am wxhistorian.
