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photo by Corey Nolen
A small tornado knocked down a sign at the U.S. 280 BP Station. The tornado touched down at approximately 10:14 a.m.
Tornado touches down in Chelsea
Originally published 10:45 a.m., February 27, 2009
Updated 03:43 p.m., February 27, 2009
A tornado touched down on Highway 280 in Chelsea at 10:14 a.m. near a BP service station.
Chelsea Mayor Earl Niven said there wasn’t any structural damage to the gas station as far as he knew, but some service station signs and flagpoles were down. The sign for a nearby M&F Bank had also been damaged, he said.
Westover citizen John Norman was filling his car up with gas at the BP station when the tornado hit.
Norman, who got in his car, said the power went out and the rain got heavy right before the tornado. He watched the tornado, which was about 100 yards away from him and was approximately 15-20 feet in diameter, crash into the sign at the BP station.
Norman said the tornado was on the ground for 30 seconds at the most. Through it all, the weather sirens never went off, he said.
“It was something else to see. There was dust flying everywhere,” he said. “I’m very grateful that no one got hurt seriously.”
Connie Pilkington, the cashier at the BP station, said that as a customer pulled into the gas station, the force of the tornado blew out his windows. He suffered minor cuts and bruises, and Pilkington helped clean him up.
“How scary was it? On a scale of one to 10, a 20,” she said. “It was amazing. I honestly have some guardian angel.”
According to the National Weather Service in Birmingham, a tornado warning has been issued for east central Shelby County, including the cities of Chelsea, Harpersville and Wilsonville.
Michael Garrison of the National Weather Service said the tornado was classified as an EF-0, or a weak tornado. Its highest speed would have been between 65-85 miles per hour, he said.
Old Highway 280 between County Road 11 and Lewis Road remains closed due to overhanging trees, according to the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. Alabama Power is working to remove the trees, and drivers in the area are encouraged to choose an alternate route.
Justin Averette and Samantha Hurst contributed to this story.
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Comments
Posted by Iam4whatisright (anonymous) on February 27, 2009 at 5:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I thank God above that no one was severly injured. Chelsea Firemen were quick to respond and did a great job of taking control of the situation.
The Chelsea Citizen Observer Patrol (C.O.P.) members responded immediately and provided assistance to the sheriff's deputies.
Chelsea is so blessed to have a Mayor and Council that supports the public safety personnel by providing the proper equipment and training for them to perform their duties.
Wonderful job everyone.
Posted by rba2141 (anonymous) on March 2, 2009 at 12:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was in the Wal-Green's across the street and heard a roar. I looked out the front door and saw the tornado hit the BP sign. Everything was swirling around. It was a small tornado, about 20 feet wide. Thank God no one was seriously injured. It was a scary 30 seconds.
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