2008 Prattville–Millbrook tornado

2008 tornado in Alabama, U.S. May 2026 2008 Prattville tornado security camera still.png 290 A large tornado behind a parking lot and trees. Two cars are visible, one on the right-side foreground and one with headlights on in the left-side background. The tornado, seen by a security camera in Prattville 21 minutes February 17, 2008, 2:58 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00) February 17, 2008, 3:19 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00) 155 mph km/h on EF3 0 50 $1.7–1.8 million (2009 USD) the Tornadoes of 2008 In the afternoon hours of February 17, 2008, a large and intense tornado moved through Prattville and Millbrook, cities located in the U.S. state of Alabama. The tornado, which was rated EF3 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, injured 50 people along a 14.5 mi km on path while on the ground for a total of 21 minutes. The tornado reached a maximum width of 440 yd m. The tornado touched down at 2:58 p.m.For consistency, all times in the article are in Central Daylight Time. to the southwest of Prattville, rapidly strengthening as it moved into the city. Significant damage was inflicted in Prattville, where 200 residences suffered damage. A strip mall and multiple neighborhoods were heavily impacted, with cars being thrown and structures being de-roofed. Despite severe damage in city limits, no fatalities were reported. Continuing into Elmore County and near Millbrook, the tornado produced relatively minor structural damage before lifting at 3:19 p.m. It was the strongest to ever impact the Prattville area, and one of the strongest in the Montgomery metropolitan area. Advanced forecasting The first indications of a severe weather threat were outlined by the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) in their Day 5 convective outlook published on February 13. A large 30% risk area was denoted for a large portion of the southeastern United States.Storm Prediction Center Day 4-8 Convective Outlook Page https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/exper/day4-8/archive/2008/day4-8_20080213.html 2026-05-05 Storm Prediction Center The Day 4 outlook retained the 30% risk area while expanding it eastward into the Carolinas.Storm Prediction Center Day 4-8 Convective Outlook Page https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/exper/day4-8/archive/2008/day4-8_20080214.html 2026-05-05 Storm Prediction Center The Day 3 convective outlook, outlined on February 15, introduced a large slight risk area for much of the Southeast, including Central Alabama. It was noted that "storms may intensify during the day as they advance EWD with large hodographs and strong deep shear supportive of bows and supercells".Storm Prediction Center Feb 15, 2008 1100 UTC Day 3 Severe Thunderstorm Outlook https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2008/day3otlk_20080215_1100.html 2026-05-05 Storm Prediction Center The Day 2 convective outlook maintained a slight risk area for the same areas as the day before. The risk was accompanied by a 30% chance of significant severe weather.Storm Prediction Center Feb 16, 2008 0800 UTC Day 2 Convective Outlook https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2008/day2otlk_20080216_0800.html 2026-05-05 Storm Prediction Center The Day 1 convective outlook, outlined at 7:00 a.m., featured a 10% "hatched"In meteorology, "hatching" indicated areas where significant severe weather (EF2+ tornadoes, 2"+ hail, 75+ mph winds) were possible.Barker Aaron 2022-03-21 Here’s what the ‘hatched area’ on a severe weather map means https://www.foxweather.com/learn/heres-what-the-hatched-area-on-a-severe-weather-map-means 2026-05-04 FOX Weather en-US The traditional hatching pattern was updated by the Storm Prediction Center in 2026.Gray Jennifer 2026-03-03 Severe Weather Forecasts From NOAA Are Being Tweaked; Here's How https://weather.com/safety/thunderstorms/news/2026-03-02-storm-prediction-center-severe-weather-outlooks-changes 2026-09-23 The Weather Channel en-US risk for tornadoes including much of Central and Southern Alabama. The SPC noted that "forecast soundings ahead of the squall-line this afternoon show impressive low-level shear profiles with about 50 kt at 850 mb and resultant 0–1 km shear values around 30 kt. this should be favorable for tornadoes with supercells ahead of the line and persistent rotating storms embedded in the line. If supercells initiate east of the squall-line...then an isolated strong tornado or two may occur across [Southern and Central] AL".Storm Prediction Center Feb 17, 2008 0600 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2008/day1otlk_20080217_1200.html 2026-05-05 Storm Prediction Center Later updates to the Day 1 outlook removed the 10% risk region.Storm Prediction Center Feb 17, 2008 1630 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2008/day1otlk_20080217_1630.html 2026-05-05 Storm Prediction Center Tornado summary The tornado first touched down at 2:58 p.m. near a waste treatment facility to the southwest of Prattville, tracking to the northeast as it moved over U.S. Route 82.February 15, 2009 Path Of Destruction The Montgomery Advertiser 11 Along Cobbs Ford Road,2015-02-18 Prattville Tornado 7 years Later https://www.waka.com/2015/02/18/prattville-tornado-7-years-later/ 2026-05-05 WAKA en-US significant damage was inflicted on structures, where the highest winds occurred.2008-02-18 Prattville Storm Now Identified as Category EF 3 Tornado https://www.wsfa.com/story/7886525/prattville-storm-now-identified-as-category-ef-3-tornado 2026-05-05 WSFA en Further damage occurred on Tara Street and Thames Drive, where multiple residences were damaged or destroyed, including some that were swept to their foundations.Roney Marty Benn Alvin February 18, 2008 Tornado slams Prattville; 200+ homes damaged The Montgomery Advertiser Montgomery, Alabama 1, 5 On Seasons Drive the top portion of a residence was destroyed; the tornado continued moving northeast through this area. On Harvest Loop, the roof of a home caved inward and a 60 lb kg on gas grill was tossed across the yard.February 19, 2008 Reality hasn't yet set in for family The Montgomery Advertiser Montgomery, Alabama 9 As the tornado approached the Premier Place Shopping Center, a person inside described that "there was a lot of rumbling I did a lot of praying".Roney Marty Benn Alvin February 18, 2008 Tornado slams Prattville; 200+ homes damaged The Montgomery Advertiser Montgomery, Alabama 5 In the area, a Kmart was damaged,Roney Marty Prattville Kmart to close in March https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/2016/01/21/prattville-kmart-closing/79132730/ 2026-05-05 The Montgomery Advertiser en-US in addition to Fire Station 3.2008-02-18 Tornadoes Slam Ala., Adding to Destructive Season Across the Region https://www.claimsjournal.com/news/southeast/2008/02/19/87456.htm 2026-05-06 Claims Journal en-US A truck in the Walmart parking lot was set aloft by the storm, landing upside-down 200 yd m from where it was initially parked.Klass Kym February 18, 2008 Voices from the Prattville storm The Montgomery Advertiser Montgomery, Alabama 3 Inside the Walmart itself, light fixtures were ripped from the ceiling as the tornado passed over. Footage of the tornado in the area was captured by a security camera mounted to a steakhouse.2008-02-22 Store & Restaurant Security Cameras Caputure Tornado on Video https://www.wsfa.com/story/7908830/store-restaurant-security-cameras-caputure-tornado-on-video 2026-05-06 WSFA en At the intersection of Cobbs Ford Road and McQueen Smith Road, 60 ft m on metal-constructed power poles were bent downward, and transformers were lofted from their initial location. As the tornado moved over East Main Street, a dumpster impacted the backside of a Palm Beach Tan store, inflicting significant structural damage. Employees in the store hid in a room 2 ft m from where the dumpster landed.Klass Kym February 20, 2008 After storm, stores rehang tattered shingles The Montgomery Advertiser Montgomery, Alabama 5 The Ding How Chinese Buffet, located on the corner of East Main Street and Sheila Boulevard, was significantly damaged and as a result remained closed until January 2011.Flanagan Ben January 10, 2011 Prattville's tornado-damaged Ding How Chinese Buffet to reopen Saturday https://www.al.com/montgomery/2011/01/prattvilles_tornado-damaged_di.html May 6, 2026 AL Prattville Christian Academy suffered broken windows, while the school's gymnasium was completely destroyed. In the Silver Hills subdivision the tornado was again captured on camera moving northeast.2008-02-20 Prattville Resident Captures Tornado on Camera https://www.wsfa.com/story/7896666/prattville-resident-captures-tornado-on-camera 2026-05-05 WSFA en It then entered Elmore County, causing minor structural damage as it moved over Interstate 65 and Alabama State Route 14. It shifted north near Millbrook, snapping trees before lifting at 3:19 p.m. near the Speigner Lake area in Elmore County.February 15, 2009 Bouncing Back: Prattville One Year Later The Montgomery Advertiser Montgomery, Alabama 12Alabama Tornadoes 2008 https://www.weather.gov/bmx/tornadodb_2008 2026-05-05 National Weather Service EN-US It was on the ground for 21 minutes, traveling 14.5 mi km during that time,Prattville-Millbrook Tornado - February 17, 2008 https://www.weather.gov/bmx/event_02172008_prattvillemillbrook 2026-05-05 National Weather Service EN-US and was additionally the strongest to ever impact the Prattville area.Tornado Tracks, 1950-2025 https://mrcc.purdue.edu/gismaps/cntytorn 2026-09-12 Midwestern Regional Climate Center at Purdue University The tornado occurred just 12 days after another significant tornado outbreak affected Alabama,Brumback Kate February 18, 2008 Damaging tornadoes reported across the South Pensacola News Journal Pensacola, Florida 5 and was one of multiple tornadoes to move through Southeast Alabama on February 17.Tornado Outbreak - February 17th, 2008 https://www.weather.gov/bmx/event_02172008 2026-05-05 National Weather Service EN-US Aftermath thumb|Damage to a subdivision following the tornado|alt=Damaged houses behind a bush. Damage and recovery At 4:30 p.m. on February 17, Prattville mayor Jim Byard ordered that a dusk-to-dawn curfew be implemented in areas where the tornado moved through the city. At around the same time, emergency crews from nearby communities descended on Prattville to aid in initial recovery efforts. A short time later, over 100 Alabama state troopers arrived in the city, accompanied by other federal law enforcement officials. At 7:00 p.m. the same day, both the Prattville City Council and the Autauga County Commission passed declarations aiding recovery efforts during meetings lasting less than 15 minutes in total; shelters were established at the First United Methodist Church and the Doster Community Center that night. 11,000 structures were left without power the night following the storm,2008-02-17 Tornadoes touch down across Southeast https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna23213687 2026-05-05 NBC News en as reported by Alabama Power. The following day, on February 18, the search for victims was called off and cleanup efforts began. During the day, the National Weather Service office in Birmingham determined that the tornado produced EF3-level damage on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with peak estimated wind speeds of 155 mph km/h. The dusk-to-dawn curfew was lifted on February 19, although checkpoints into damaged areas remained in place. Damage costs totaled an estimated $1.7–1.8 million (2009 USD), stemming from damage to city-owned property and lost revenue from businesses. 200 homes and 40 more businesses were affected by the tornado.2020-02-17 12 Years Later: Remembering the EF-3 Tornado that Hit Prattville in 2008 https://www.waka.com/2020/02/17/12-years-later-remembering-the-ef-3-tornado-that-hit-prattville-in-2008/ 2026-05-05 WAKA en-US An anniversary dinner for the event was held in February 2009 at the Daniel Pratt Elementary School.Roney Marty February 16, 2009 Events planned to mark anniversary; say thanks The Montgomery Advertiser Montgomery, Alabama 8 Casualties A total of 50 people were reported as having been injured during the event,Tornadoes hit Alabama, Florida https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2008/02/18/tornadoes-hit-alabama-florida/23776342007/ 2026-05-05 The Columbus Dispatch en-US subscription2008-02-19 Surveillance Cameras Capture Prattville Tornado on Tape https://www.wsfa.com/story/7890597/surveillance-cameras-capture-prattville-tornado-on-tape 2026-05-05 WSFA en including 2–4 critically.Brumback Kate February 18, 2008 Tornadoes rip through South as Midwest stays icy The Daily Herald Provo, Utah 10February 18, 2008 Experts: Prattville tornado was an EF-3 https://www.al.com/spotnews/2008/02/update_prattville_hit_by_ef3_t.html May 5, 2026 AL No fatalities were reported as a result of the tornado.2008-02-18 Prattville tornado damages many homes, businesses https://www.waff.com/story/7886069/prattville-tornado-damages-many-homes-businesses 2026-09-12 WAFF en A 35-bed mobile hospital was set up outside the damaged Kmart in Prattville to treat the injured.February 18, 2008 Search on for tornado victims The Manhattan Mercury Manhattan, Kansas 8 See also Tornadoes in Alabama 1984 Montgomery tornado, another strong tornado in the Montgomery metropolitan area Notes and references Notes note References 2008-02-17 2008-02-17 02-17 Category:February 2008 in the United States Category:Autauga County, Alabama Category:Elmore County, Alabama