Lee County EMA find damage from weak EF-0 tornado: NWS Birmingham
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The National Weather Service in Birmingham has confirmed damage from a weak EF-0 tornado was discovered during a survey conducted by the Lee County Emergency Management Agency.
Image: Lee County EMA
The EF0 tornado occurred in a line of severe thunderstorms in the Salem area on the evening of May 3, 2025.
The National Weather Service says:
The tornado began over a wooded area east of Lee Road 151, northeast of the NCAT Test Track. The start point was estimated using radar data as the area was inaccessible by roads. Moving slightly south of due east, the tornado passed just north of Lee Road 2119, where a few small trees or limbs were snapped on Lee Road 187. By this point a Tornado Debris Signature (TDS) was evident on radar. On Lee Road 749, a few small pine trees had the tops snapped or limbs snapped off. Little damage was noted across Highway 280 near Dudley Lumber, but more significant tree damage was noted on property just northwest of Wacoochee Elementary School.
Numerous trees were uprooted and limbs were snapped across the property, in line with the TDS on radar. One tree limb fell on part of a home, causing very little damage. Tree damage continued to just northeast of a large pond, where the track ended.
Lee County EMA says, “a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for this area; the environmental parameters were not conducive for a tornado to develop during this time. Though during the warning small brief debris signature was noted on radar. The radar signatures that appeared Saturday night are common and typically do not produce a tornado which is why a warning was not issued. Upon discovery of the debris signature an immediate response took place, and teams were dispatched to the areas to check on the residents, roadways, and other conditions. No emergency calls were received in reference to the tornado and structural damages were very minor.”
No injuries were reported.
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