Wed. tornado assigned preliminary EF-3 damage assessment

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A National Weather Service damage survey team has assigned at least an EF-3 preliminary damage assessment to Wednesday’s tornado, according to NWS Memphis.

The EF scale ranges from 0 to 5. An EF-3 tornado is categorized as having 136-165 mph winds and as causing “severe” damage, including destruction of homes.

The tornado’s trail spanned from eastern Arkansas through Mississippi and into Hardeman and McNairy counties in West Tennessee.

The service says the tornado, described as having an exceptionally long track, will take days to fully assess.

The National Weather Service graphic below outlines the EF damage scale.