Molino’s Dark Sunday: Today Is Anniversary Of Destructive Tornado

February 17, 2010

Today marks the second anniversary of the Molino tornado that destroyed four homes, caused heavy damage and ripped the steeple off a church with worshipers inside.

The E-F1 tornado destroyed four homes in Molino about noon Sunday, February 17, 2008. Escambia County officials say at least 60 other structures were damaged by the twister along at least a two and a half mile path. At least 20 of those structures suffered major damage. There were no injuries reported.

Many homes in the Crest Lane area were damaged, with at least one house destroyed. Other suffered significant roof damage. As the tornado continued on a path to the northeast, it took the steeple off Highland Baptist Church and caused roof damage to the sanctuary. The steeple landed in the church parking lot, damaging at least four cars.

Church members said the service was about to end when they got word of the approaching tornado. Everyone evacuated the sanctuary and sought shelter in the church fellowship hall, a brick building with no windows. They prayed and sang songs as the storm approached, a church member said. (Click here to read more about Highland and the tornado from February 21, 2008.)

On Molino Road, near Brickyard Road, several more homes were damaged. The roof was completely gone from several houses and the Masonic Lodge building. One mobile home was flipped upside down and others were heavily damaged.

Gulf Power company cut power to about 4,500 people in the Molino area as a safety precaution. Power lines were down all around the area with many poles snapped in half.

Dozens of emergency responders conducted a door to door search in the areas with heavy damage, checking to make sure residents were not injured. Firefighters also drove all of the roads around the area, looking for any additional damage.

For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the the storm’s aftermath on February 17, 2008, click here.

For cleanup photos from February 19, 2008, click here.

Pictured above: One of the homes destroyed by 2008’s Molino tornado. Pictured below: Another home under repair February 17, 2008. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News