In this Times file photo, Cullman County Emergency Agency director Phyllis Little, center, listens to an update on potential severe weather at the Cullman County EMA office.

The National Weather Service has reported that the damage in the Jones Chapel area was caused by an EF2 tornado with maximum winds of 130 miles per hour.

Peak winds were in the area of County Roads 1091 and 1114.

The Red Cross also is in the area to assist the family of LaShane Haynes, whose mobile home in western Cullman County was destroyed. Haynes and her two children all were hospitalized for injuries from the storm, but all have since been released and are recovering. Local churches also are providing immediate assistance as the family searches for a place to stay and collect donated items.

Cullman EMA director Phyllis Little, who lives in the area where the damage occurred, said Saturday that the destruction appears to have followed a localized path and was not widespread.

“It’s pretty local to the northwest corner of the county,” said Little. “We are touring an area at Water Valley today where an insurance agent said there were two customers who reported damage today that we didn’t know about last night, and it’s possible that there may be some unreported damage farther to the east along this same path, out toward Fairview.

“Once we go over the area with the weather service, they will determine from the damage whether we’re looking at a tornado, and if so, what strength it was.”

That determination could as soon as this evening, although more stormy weather today may hamper EMA and NWS efforts in the field.