Assessment of tornado wind speed from damage in Jefferson County, Alabama

摘要

A severely damaging tornado struck outskirts of Birmingham, Alabama (Jefferson County) in the evening of April 8, 1998. The damaging path was up to 1207 m (3960 ft) wide and extended 37 km (23 mi). Thirty-four persons lost their lives; most of them were in their homes. Maximum and damaging wind speed assessments in this tornado are made from damage and destroyed houses. Wind speed ranges are established by assuming +-20