By Associated Press
Prattville, AL – Governor Bob Riley Monday morning toured a Prattville neighborhood that suffered heavy damage when a tornado hit Sunday. He said after the tour that he was impressed by the community's response in the wake of the storm.
Jim Stefkovich is the meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service's Birmingham office. He classified the tornado as an EF3 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale of tornado severity, meaning winds were blowing at 140-150 miles per hour. He said the tornado's path was about a quarter of a mile wide.
At least 29 people were injured when the tornado ripped through homes and businesses Sunday. Prattville Mayor Jim Byard said about 200 homes and 50 to 100 businesses were damaged. No deaths were reported.
Both Riley and Byard said they were working with Federal Emergency Management Agency preliminary assessment teams today to determine whether the area will be eligible for federal emergency management assistance.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)