Tuesday’s Damage Survey Results From Monday’s Tornadoes… More Surveys Today

Both NWS Huntsville and NWS Birmingham were quite busy performing damage surveys on Tuesday where tornadoes were believed to be the culprits of the damage that was left behind by Monday’s severe weather event. Between the two offices, so far, there have been a grand total of 9 confirmed tornadoes, and there could even be more as both offices will have teams out today looking at more reported damage. The confirmed EF3 tornado that struck Jacksonville was the first EF3-rated tornado to hit anywhere in the United States since May 16, 2017… an all-time record of 306 days.

NWS Huntsville Damage Surveys From North Alabama

Cedar Creek Lake Tornado (Franklin County)

Rating: EF1
Estimated Peak Wind: 100 mph
Path Length /statute/: 1.21 miles
Path Width /maximum/: 100 yards
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 0

Start Time: 05:10 PM CDT
Start Location: 8 W Russellville / Franklin County / AL
End Time: 05:16 PM CDT
End Location: 7 W Russellville / Franklin County / AL

Summary:
A tornado touched down along Jacinto Road in the Belgreen community at EF-0 strength, with winds around 70 mph. A grove of softwood Cedar trees were snapped as the tornado crossed into a wooded area and moved east. The tornado further intensified as it approached Auburn Rd. There, a mobile home was sideswiped by the tornado. The roof and siding of the mobile home was partially damaged and the window was blown out. A very large pine tree was uprooted and a barn was completely destroyed. It was here that the tornado likely reached maximum strength around 90 to 100 mph.

The tornado descended a steep bluff and crossed a narrow section of Cedar Creek Lake, snapping and uprooting numerous soft and hardwood trees. The tornado likely reached its greatest width at around 100 yards. On the opposite side of the lake, a covered boat slip was completely destroyed. Numerous trees and uprooted and snapped off and the siding and roof of three single family homes. The tornado weakened as it crossed Hwy 41. It knocked over another grove of cedars and caused very minor EF-0 damage to the siding of a house. The tornado lifted in the a heavily forested area along the far eastern edge of Cedar Creek Lake.

Russellville Tornado (Franklin County)

Rating: EF1
Estimated Peak Wind: 90 mph
Path Length /statute/: 2.05 miles
Path Width /maximum/: 200 yards
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 0

Start Time: 05:21 PM CDT
Start Location: 1 WSW Russellville / Franklin County / AL
End Time: 05:30 PM CDT
End Location: 1 SE Russellville / Franklin County / AL

Summary:
A tornado touched down in the Reedtown section of Russellville with EF-0 intensity, containing winds of 65-70 mph. The tornado caused minor roof and siding damage to a few single family homes. The tornado strengthened quickly to low-end EF-1 as it knocked the chimney of a house and caused more extensive damage to the siding and metal roof of another.

The tornado likely reached maximum intensify and width as it crossed Hwy 43 on the south side of Russellville. Here, the tornado was around 200 yards wide, with winds of 90 mph. A Waffle House restaurant had damage to its sign and roof. A warehouse and apartment complex also sustained some minor structural damage. The tornado then moved through a residential section of southeast Russellville, causing significant damage to a grove of pine and cedar trees and completely destroyed a small barn. However, only minor damage occurred at any of the one to two story homes, placing winds in the 80-90 mph range. The tornado then weakened further as it approached Hwy 42 east of Russellville and lifted near Sloss Lake Park.

Elkmont-Ardmore Tornado (Limestone County)

Rating: EF2
Estimated Peak Wind: 125 mph
Path Length (statute): 23.54 miles
Path Width (maximum): 350 yards
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 0

Start Time: 06:08 PM CDT
Start Location: 4 SW Lester / Limestone County / AL
End Time: 06:46 PM CDT
End Location: 3 ESE Ardmore / Limestone County / AL

Summary: The tornado initially touched down just east of the Lauderdale-Limestone county line near the intersection of Union Hill Road and Shelton Road. Nearly all of the damage in northwest Limestone County consisted of snapped or uprooted trees, in a swath extending across Salem Minor Hill Road, Leggtown Road, and the Elk River. Significant tree damage was noted along Alabama Highway 127 and Veto Road north of Elkmont, where likely hundreds of trees were snapped or uprooted. It was in this area where the tornado reached its maximum path width of 350 yards.

The tornado continued east-northeast, narrowly missing the Saturn I rocket at the Alabama Welcome Center on Interstate 65. Tree damage continued on Hardiman Lane east of I-65, but roof damage also occurred to single-family homes. Similar damage was observed on Puckett Lane and Oak Grove Road.

There is evidence (both from radar and ground surveys) to suggest that the tornado had multiple vortices between Oak Grove Road and Valley Drive, as there are two distinct damage paths in this area. Again, much of the damage was to trees and roofs of single-family and manufactured homes, as well as small sheds and barns.

The most severe damage by far occurred along Alabama Highway 251 and Gatlin Road, where one or two houses had their roofs and roofing structures almost completely torn off, and several more had most of their shingles torn off. Fortunately the residents had taken shelter in a nearby basement and none were injured.

The tornado weakened quickly, snapping and uprooting trees as it moved across Mitchell Loop, Old Schoolhouse Road, and Alabama Highway 53. No evidence of damage was found east of Highway 53.

Massey Tornado (Morgan County)

Rating: EF1
Estimated Peak Wind: 100 mph
Path Length (statute): 10.34 miles
Path Width (maximum): 550 yards
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 0

Start Time: 06:29 PM CDT
Start Location: 7 SW Hartselle / Morgan County / AL
End Time: 06:48 PM CDT
End Location: 5 SSE Falkville / Morgan County / AL

Summary:
The Massey Tornado in Southern Morgan County was associated with the long lived parent supercell that migrated eastward from the AL/MS state line. The damage assessment team consisting of NWS Huntsville and Morgan County EMA concluded that the impacts in Southern Morgan County were consistent with an EF-1 tornado. Widespread tree damage (snapped and uprooted) was observed across the path as the tornado and parent supercell dove southeast from near the CR55/Summerford Rd area to Wilhite Rd (east of I 65 on the the Cullman/Morgan Co border). Only structure damage to note was a couple small farm structures and sheds that were heavily damage or destroyed adjacent to Evergreen Rd, consistent with EF-1 damage. Damage indicators became more widely scattered as it approached I-65, but several trees were observed damaged along Wilhite Rd. The tornado was estimated to lift near the Morgan/Cullman County line.

Hazel Green Area Tornado (Madison County)

Rating: EF1
Estimated Peak Wind: 105 mph
Path Length /statute/: 3.77 miles
Path Width /maximum/: 50 yards
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 0

Start Time: 06:59 PM CDT
Start Location: 4 WNW Hazel Green / Madison County / AL
End Time: 07:04 PM CDT
End Location: 3 N Hazel Green / Madison County / AL

Summary:
The tornado began near the intersection of Bobo Section Road and Delynn Drive west of Hazel Green, where multiple trees were uprooted, some of which fell onto nearby homes. Damage continued eastward along Bobo Section Road, with multiple trees snapped and uprooted, and a few sheds or farm outbuildings heavily damaged. Minor tree and roof damage was observed along Frank Patterson Road, although it is likely that this damage was associated with the rear-flank downdraft of the storm.

The most notable damage occurred once the tornado reached Highway 231, where the tornado hit a building supply yard and nearby houses. Almost a quarter of the shingles were removed from a single family home and a nearby tree was twisted apart. At the building supply store, metal roofing and siding covering the supplies were completely removed and the underlying wooden support structure broken. The metal roofing was strewn across the street and into a field. Security video footage confirms the presence of a circulation but the tornado appears to have been rain-wrapped. The tornado caused further shingle damage and snapped more trees across the highway near Walls Road and Leigh Ann Road, but the damage appears to diminish quickly beyond this point.

Horton Tornado (Marshall County)

Rating: EF2
Estimated Peak Wind: 112 mph
Path Length (statute): 3.76 miles
Path Width (maximum): 690 yards
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 0

Start Time: 07:26 PM CDT
Start Location: 4 NNE Douglas / Marshall County / AL
End Time: 07:41 PM CDT
End Location: 3 SSW Albertville / Marshall County / AL

Summary:
The Horton Tornado in Southern Marshall County was associated with the long lived parent supercell that migrated eastward from the AL/MS state line. The damage assessment team, consisting of NWS Huntsville and Marshall County EMA, noted the beginning of the damage west of Old Oneota Rd and Dixie Dale Rd. Numerous trees were either snapped or uprooted along and adjacent to Old Oneota Rd, indicative of 90 mph. More significant damage was noted on the west side of Ole Oneota Rd were two chicken houses and a barn were destroyed. The team determined winds to be 112 mph, or a low-end EF-2. The second set of chicken houses destroyed occurred near Oneota Cutoff Rd, however these were not as heavily as damaged. As the tornado tracked due east toward Hwy 75 , he most prevalent damage was snapped or uprooted trees. On the west side of Hwy 75, damage was noted to a weak farm building. Damage was not observed on the east side of the Hwy or at Albertville Regional Airport. However, numerous snapped or uprooted trees were observed along White Oak Road and east toward Whitesville Rd. Structure damage was recorded on Whitesville Rd to a third set of chicken houses, but the damage was downgraded due to the fact the doors were open. The tornado was estimated to lift just east of Whitesville Rd before Walnut St.

NWS Birmingham Damage Surveys From Central Alabama

TORNADO 1: Blount Mountain Tornado (Blount and St. Clair Counties)

Rating: EF-1
Estimated Peak Wind: 90 mph
Path Length (Statute): 6.43 miles
Path Width (Maximum): 1000 yards
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 0

Start Time: 7:50 PM CDT
Start Location: 3.4 miles SSW Highland Lake / Blount County/ AL
End Time: 7:56 PM CDT
End Location: 3.1 NW Ashville / St. Clair County/ AL

Summary:
The tornado began near Jones Chapel Loop Road with minor tree damage. The tornado then moved eats and crossed Daylily Road where dozens of trees were blown down. The tornado crossed Blount Mountain along Walker Gap Road and crossed Crawford Cove Road near Highway 11. Trees in this area were mainly uprooted with only a few snapped off. The tornado continued eastbound and eventually lifted near the Interstate 59 Rest Area just south of the Ashville Exit. The majority of the damage was due to trees falling on structures and power lines. The tornado damage path was 6.43 miles long and was 1000 yards wide at its widest point.

TORNADO 2: Ashville/Southside Tornado (St. Clair, Etowah, and Calhoun Counties)

Rating: EF-2
Estimated Peak Wind: 120 mph
Path Length (Statute): 15.73 miles
Path Width (Maximum): 1760 yards
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 1

Start Time: 8:02 PM CDT
Start Location: 1.53 NE Ashville / St. Clair County / AL
End Time: 8:21 PM CDT
End Location: 6.66 NE Ohatchee / Calhoun County / AL

Summary:
The tornado touched down just northeast of Ashville along Highway 411. The tornado continued east northeast and caused tree damage. The tornado appeared to intensify as it approached the Coosa River where structural damage became evident. One house was moved off its foundation with a complete loss of roofing materials. Stands of trees were snapped off near their bases, including both hardwoods and softwoods. The tornado then crossed Neely Henry Lake where the tornado was at its widest point and moved into Etowah County. The tornado crossed Highway 77 near Leota Road where numerous trees were either snapped off or uprooted and several structures were damaged by falling trees. The tornado continued east where it narrowed and further intensified toward Green Valley Road. The most intense damage was observed here where several structures suffered complete loss of roofing material and exterior walls. As the tornado entered Calhoun County, it narrowed and weakened and lifted shortly thereafter. The tornado damage path was 15.73 miles long and was 1760 yards wide at its widest point.

TORNADO 3: Jacksonville Tornado (Calhoun and Cleburne Counties)

Rating: EF-3
Estimated Peak Wind: 140 mph
Path Length (Statute): 34.29 miles
Path Width (Maximum): 1900 yards
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 4

Start Time: 8:23 PM CDT
Start Location: 2.48 NW Wellington / Calhoun County / AL
End Time: 9:10 PM CDT
End Location: 2.81 miles NE Muscadine / Cleburne County / AL

Summary:
The storm survey for Tornado #3 has not been completed. Areas near Fruithurst and Muscadine will be examined on Wednesday. It appears the tornado does cross the county and the path information is estimated to the state line. This information may be adjusted.

The tornado first touched down west of US Highway 431 north of Wellington, where it rapidly intensified and widened. It snapped and uprooted numerous trees along US Highway 431. Several homes were damaged by the falling trees. The tornado proceeded eastward across Websters Road and Broughton Road with scattered tree damage. As the tornado crossed Old Sulpher Spring Road, two homes were damaged with scores of trees snapped or uprooted. At Angel Station Road, the tornado filled the valley from one side to the other and caused extensive tree and home damage. An electrical transmission tower line was toppled at this point, but it was believed that flying debris compromised the structure. The tornado continued eastward and destroyed the sanctuary at West Point Baptist Church. Additional structures were severely damaged at the church. The tornado entered the City of Jacksonville where it gained strength into the EF3 category, with winds around 140 mph. It removed most of the roof and the top floor of two buildings in an apartment complex. The tornado affected the entire campus of Jacksonville State University. Several buildings sustained significant damage. The most intense winds remained north of the campus however, mowing down trees and causing direct damage to homes. As the tornado crossed Highway 21, it caused caused major damage to the coliseum. It then moved into a highly populated zone, where scores of homes suffered major damage and rendered many uninhabitable. The tornado maintained its strength as it crossed Choccolocco Mountain, with winds funneled up the valleys mowing down trees. It caused major damage to a number of homes on the mountainside. Damaged continued all the way up to just south of the peak of the mountain, then descended the eastern slopes into Nances Creek.

The tornado is believed to have continued across Cleburne County, producing damage near Fruithurst and Muscadine before crossing the Georgia State Line. The estimated path length to the Georgia State Line is 34.29 miles and was 1900 yards wide at its widest point.

Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS