2012 Center Point–Clay tornado
2012 intense tornado in Alabama / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
During the early morning hours on January 23, 2012, a large and intense tornado, commonly known as the Center Point Tornado, struck the northeastern part of the Birmingham, Alabama metropolitan area, particularly the cities of Center Point and Clay.[1][2][4] The National Weather Service rated the most intense damage caused by the tornado EF3 on the Enhanced Fujita scale. During the tornado's 22-minute lifespan, it reached EF3 intensity three times, damaged or destroyed hundreds of structures, killed one person, and injured at least 75 others. In Center Point, the tornado damaged and destroyed buildings of the Center Point Elementary School, causing millions in damage. Residential insurance losses from Center Point and Clay were estimated at being up to $30 million.
EF3 damage to a house in Center Point, Alabama, where a fatality occurred | |
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | January 23, 2012, 3:58 a.m. EST (UTC−05:00) |
Dissipated | January 23, 2012, 4:20 a.m. EST (UTC−05:00) |
Duration | 22 minutes |
EF3 tornado | |
on the Enhanced Fujita scale | |
Highest winds | 152 mph (245 km/h)[1][lower-alpha 1] |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 1[1][2] |
Injuries | 75[1][2] |
Damage | $30 million (2012 USD)[3] |
Part of the tornado outbreaks of 2012 |