UPDATE FROM NWS:
The tornado began near highway 57 in Greene County where several softwood tree trunks were snapped. It continued on an east northeast track producing damage along Nursery Road.
The track continued into Washington County Alabama. The tornado crossed Highway 45 and hit Fruitdale HS where windows were damaged along with roof damage to the school and nearby houses.
Widespread tree and power line damage was also observed in the Fruitdale area. The damage in Fruitdale is estimated to have been in the high EF-1 range with winds 105-110 mph. The tornado continued northeast and strengthened as it approached baxter McIllwain Road. This is where the tornado reached peak intensity.
Based on the ground survey, a nearly 500 yard swath of major tree damage was observed with countless hardwood and softwood trees destroyed.
The EF-3 peak intensity (140 mph) is based on this swath of major tree damage. The tornado continued to track eastward through Tibbie with more significant to major tree damage (EF-2 intensity), along with roof damage observed along Leo and Boyd Willie Parnell Road. The tornado weakened as it moved east across Howardtown Road and dissipated east of Clarke Place Road.
In the coming days, available high resolution satellite imagery will be analyzed and adjustments to the track are possible.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Twelve miles east of Fruitdale, the National Weather Service confirms an EF-2 tornado touched down in Tibbie, Alabama. The small unincorporated community in Washington County sustained major damage.
"Roofs off, ceilings gone, it's just a mess. I've got insulation everywhere, ceiling stuff everywhere, trees down, tree on top of my car, it's just a total mess," Rose Parnell said.
Parnell rode out the storm like many others who live along Boyd Willie Parnell Road in Tibbie.
"My sister texted me and told me a tornado was coming so I got in the bathroom and hunkered down there and heard it coming," Parnell said. "Went in the bathroom and about five minutes later my roof came off."
One man's home shifted at least two to three feet.
"I was going to get dressed but the whole house was moving, it was too late," Andy Timothy said.
Timothy said the only reason he believes he's okay is because the tornado went by so fast, he thinks it prevented his house from being ripped away. The roof on the other hand is pretty much gone. As far as the house being moved a couple of feet, that's a whole different task.
"I couldn't see because it was still dark, but when I was able to see I just said oh lord," Timothy said. "I was just thankful I was still here."