Comments on: Not A Tornado: Winds Destroy Businesses, Damage Homes In Atmore

By: Skeptical no more

Skeptical no more — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 01:35:59 +0000

Initially I thought it was a tornado also but researching more, I am lead to believe it was straight line winds. From the National Weather Service website:
…SIGNATURE OF STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS…
STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS ARE OFTEN RESPONSIBLE FOR MOST OF THE WIND DAMAGE ASSOCIATED WITH A THUNDERSTORM. THESE WINDS ARE OFTEN CONFUSED WITH TORNADOES BECAUSE OF SIMILAR DAMAGE AND WIND SPEEDS. HOWEVER THE STRONG GUSTY WINDS ASSOCIATED WITH STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS ARE UNLIKE THE ROTATING WINDS OF A TORNADO. IF YOU WERE TO SURVEY THE DAMAGE PATTERN LEFT BY STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS…YOU WOULD SEE DEBRIS…SUCH AS UPROOTED TREES…LAID OUT IN NEARLY PARALLEL ROWS.

Looking at the debris in the trees behind Burkes and not everywhere else, it does appear straight-line winds is more likely. A tornado would have scattered debris in front and around the store. Looking at the wind blowing across the open area of the parking lot, slamming into the front of the stores then pushing the debris in the trees behind.

By: Crystal

Crystal — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 01:06:05 +0000

Ex-Treasurer …. I was listening to a countdown show that was on there. I usually listen to Cat Country in the morning and WXBM in the evenings just depends on my mood.

By: Storm Victim

Storm Victim — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 19:12:48 +0000

I live in Canoe, AL and we had the downward wind thrust(Tornado) come right over our house. We had about 20 snapped of pines, trailer skirting embeded into pine trees, trailer skirting stuck into a car, hole in roof. This wind thrust(tornado) made a path about 200 yards wide. Then down the road the neighbors lost the whole roof off there barn.

By: jr

jr — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 02:06:25 +0000

Did the NWS survey team go take a look at the park downtown? Did they go see those huge pine trees that where snapped? Was it lightning or a tornado that cause the damage? Just wondering..

By: Amber

Amber — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 20:40:52 +0000

A big thank you to Alabama Power! Our tree fell on our power line and I was already making plans to have a big BBQ with all the food in my freezer. We had power by 5:00 Sunday evening! I’m so grateful we have workers who are willing to get out in the wind and rain to make it more convenient for us.

By: Ex-Treasurer

Ex-Treasurer — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 16:04:54 +0000

Crystal, why were you listening to wxbm. Their prerecorded program is out of New York City, except for the morning……………I mean afternoon show which comes to you live from the EOC (I forgot that we only have ONE morning show on local country radio anymore). Better swich to Cat Country 98.7 if you want home owned/local info. Marty White is serving out his 6 month retirement anyway……..

By: Just Me

Just Me — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 14:16:54 +0000

I was there and it wasn’t just winds…… That was a Tornado…. Winds don’t turn everything around you black…. The online Weather Channel said the Tornado was heading towards Flomaton, right after it came thru Atmore….. So, don’t know who determined it was just “winds”, but they’re so wrong…..

By: Kim Smith

Kim Smith — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 06:16:38 +0000

Our parking lot at Walgreens looks like a war zone with all the debris from everwhere

By: Eye Witness

Eye Witness — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 05:37:21 +0000

The NWS is Flat out Wrong I was sitting in the McDonalds Parking lot . I Heard the loud train like sounds and Seen the Tornado, The need to recheck there figures. Undoubtably they are flat out idiots !!!!

By: shaun

shaun — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 02:35:09 +0000

My prayers go out to the community.