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National Weather Service Upgrades Tornadoes That Struck North Florida & South Georgia

This photo provided by James Lally shows a funnel-shaped cloud on I-10 near Marianna, Fla., Sunday, March 3, 2019. Numerous tornado warnings were posted across parts of Alabama, Georgia, Florida and South Carolina on Sunday afternoon as the powerful storm
James Lally
/
Associated Press (AP)

The National Weather services has upgraded the strength of tornados that struck North Florida and South Georgia over the weekend. 

The tornado that hit in Washington and Jackson counties was an EF-1 says the National Weather Serice. It's peak wind was around 100 miles per hour--strong enough to lift tin roofs off of homes.

In Cairo, Georgia tornado winds reached up to 120 mph and is being classified as a stronger, EF-2. Two people were injured and trees fell onto homes, causing damage. 

Meanwhile, Leon and Jefferson County's tornado has been upgraded to an EF-3, which the NWS considers "Strong." It's peak wind was recorded at 140 mph, and it initally touched down at the intersection of Highway 90 and Crump Road. The tornado snappled power poles and trees and destroyed two homes. 

It's the second-strongest tornado to hit Leon County since 1945. 

The National Weather Service measures tornado strength on a scale of 0-5, with 5 classified as "violent" and wind speeds over 200 mph.


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Lynn Hatter is a Florida A&M University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Lynn has served as reporter/producer for WFSU since 2007 with education and health care issues as her key coverage areas.  She is an award-winning member of the Capital Press Corps and has participated in the NPR Kaiser Health News Reporting Partnership and NPR Education Initiative. 

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