Phenix City-Columbus tornado was EF-2

By Joe McAdory

Below is a copy of storm report information released Monday by a National Weather Service team in Alabama in regards to Sunday night’s tornado in Phenix City. I have not seen a storm report from Columbus (the same tornado), but I’m sure the details are similar.

EVENT DATE: SUNDAY 19 APRIL 2009
EVENT TYPE: EF-2 TORNADO
ESTIMATED PEAK WINDS (MPH): 115 MPH
EVENT START LOCATION: 32.4594N/85.0231W (RUSSELL COUNTY EXTENDING INTO GEORGIA)
EVENT END LOCATION:  32.47445N/85.9564W
DAMAGE PATH LENGTH (IN MILES): 4 MILES
DAMAGE WIDTH (IN YARDS): 250 YARDS

FIVE BUSINESSES SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE. SEVEN HOMES WITH MINOR TO MAJOR DAMAGE MOSTLY TO ROOFS.  BETWEEN ONE HUNDRED AND TWO HUNDRED
TREES SNAPPED AND UPROOTED.

Why must people pee on the floor?

By Joe McAdory

Public bathrooms disgust me. I do not understand why it is so difficult for people not to pee on the bathroom floor. Urinals and toilets are large enough to hit the target.

On a trip Sunday from Florida to greater Lee County, I stopped at bathrooms in Albany, Ga., and Columbus, Ga. Both stops made me want to swim around in large tub of anti-bacterial soap. You would think that stores would have enough pride in their facilities to offer clean restrooms. Maybe too many people simply do not care and feel right at home in swine waste. Maybe waste-filled toilets are chic in some locales. Urine-covered bathroom floors are too commonplace.

Places that strive to offer customers clean bathrooms, I give you a big thumbs up.

Tornado strikes Phenix City, Columbus

By Joe McAdory

Before I go to sleep, thought I’d mention that I just heard a report that a tornado touched down tonight in Phenix City and Columbus, Ga. According to local TV, a twister struck near the Phenix City Bowling Alley, possibly damaging the facility, before crossing U.S. Highway 280/431. Heard another report of damage in the Broadway Street-Dillingham Street area.

From that point, the news folks on Columbus TV ducked and headed for cover themselves, and for good reason.

The storm crossed the Chattahoochee River and made a bee line for Columbus. Early damage reports were inconclusive. Columbus police closed the intersection of Victory Drive and Veterans Parkway as many trees were down. Reports were also made that multiple trees were down near Macon Road. I would assume there was property damage as well. Could be extensive. Maybe not. I don’t know. No damage in Lee County. I’m going to bed.

Sidelined

By Joe McAdory

This newspaper promoted a Pinewood Derby workshop for Friday night at the old Steve and Barry’s building on Pepperell Parkway and I was to speak with people about building cars and even judge what I thought was the best-looking car brought to the event.

I cannot express my apologies enough. An unexpected situation developed and I will be out of the area until further notice.

Also, someone tell me how the Sticks concert goes, if Gretchen Wilson really is a Redneck Woman, and how Auburn’s quarterbacks fare Saturday at A-Day. I am out of touch. That’s OK. I am where I need to be, and that is what is most important.

He’s baaack

By Joe McAdory

Josh Segall is running again. The Democrat from Montgomery lost in his bid to unseat Republican Mike Rogers from his Third Congressional District spot last November, but announced Tuesday he will challenge Rogers again in 2010.

I’ve got to hand it to the young lawyer for trying again despite defeat the first time around. How does that saying go ... if at first you don’t succeed ...

Anyway, last year’s Rogers-Segall battle royale was memorable for its mudslinging. I didn’t enjoy watching either of their commercials. Candidates these days talk too much about their opponents instead of themselves. I’m calling for a non-mudslinging campaign by both sides. I’ll arm wrestle both dudes to make this happen, if necessary. I’m confident I can take them. Any place, any time guys.

Segall gave Rogers a good run in 2008 and I wouldn’t be surprised if the 2010 political Wrestlemania was every bit as interesting. But I suppose Rogers and Segall have to win their respective primaries before the rematch.