On March 1932, 33 tornadoes ripped through the southeastern United States and killed 359 people in six states over the course of two days. The National Weather Service has spent the past few days tracing the path of Alabama's deadliest tornado since 2019. Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States on April 29, 2011 The scar across Tuscaloosa, one of two metropolitan areas this tornado devastated. However, with only manufactured homes in the path, there appear to be no damage indicators that will allow a higher rating.. As the tornado approached Interstate 359, several buildings were destroyed including the Tuscaloosa County Emergency Operations Center. Contact Us Meanwhile, the wind shear environment became substantially more favorable as an 80100 kn mid-level jet ejected eastward into the region. There have been reports of downed trees and damaged homes and businesses in Calhoun County and across the state, with some houses reduced to rubble. In Pratt City the tornado destroyed the library, damaged a fire station, and wiped away homes in several neighborhoods, such as Smithfield Estates. Also, to Gene Bussell and his crew with the AlabamaNational Guard for their cooperation with aerial surveys along this track. The tornado that killed seven people in Autauga County had a path that was 82 miles long and stretched through several counties. The deadly weather system was part of a three-day outbreak that was the worst of its kind in U.S. history. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Special Weather Statements Local Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Data Now, the full fury of the outbreak was showing its muscle throughout the state. A tornado emergency was issued for Newnan at 12:10 a.m. Friday, about 35 miles southwest of Atlanta, where the Weather Service wrote a confirmed large and destructive tornado was confirmed and radar showed large amounts of debris lofted into the air. However, the longest tornado track on record in Alabama happened on May 27, 1973. The tornado crossed the river near Neely Road on the west bank and Kelly Road on the east bank. Drought Monitor Similar devastation to homes and businesses was noted along both sides of CR 45 near 1st St E. and locations to the northeastward. Severe Safety w/ ASL The tornado killed seven people and injured several others and caused widespread damage along its long path. [10] The nearby Cedar Crest subdivision was devastated as numerous block-foundation homes were leveled. It passed within a half mile of the Tuscaloosa Police Department Headquarters, forcing the evacuation of the dispatch personnel from the third floor offices until the storm passed. Several vehicles were picked up and thrown, and one pickup truck had its cab separated from the bed. Special thanks to Sergeant Rocco Renno of the Hoover Police Department and Officer Chad Allinder of the Jefferson County Sherrif's Department for their assistance withground damage surveys in the Birmingham area. Outreach Activities Severe Storms, Image of the Day javascript is enabled. Tuscaloosa and the additional four West Alabama counties were added at about 6 p.m. A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms or tornadoes in an area. This was the third tornado to strike the city of Tuscaloosa in the past decade, and the second in two weeks. Posted Wed, Mar 30, 2022 at 9:06 pm CT | Updated Wed, Mar 30, 2022 at 10:06 pm CT. Not surprisingly, several of them happened during the superoutbreak of April 27, 2011. The tornado passed south of downtown Brent and Centreville, sparing the most heavily populated neighborhoods, but several structures were heavily damaged or destroyed on Belcher Road. [19] The structures that were swept away by this tornado were either improperly anchored, lacked interior walls, or were surrounded by contextual damage not consistent with winds exceeding 200mph (320km/h), and as a result an EF5 rating could not be applied. A tornado killed at least five people in Calhoun County, Ala., located between Birmingham and the Georgia border. Storms will swarm during much of the day before winding down and exiting east late Thursday night. Even a decade later, it seems hard to believe. The collected donations included toiletries, nonperishable food, bottled water, diapers, clean-up supplies and much more. One home on a foundation was swept clean, with only floor joists remaining attached to the foundation. The weather service in Birmingham released some preliminary results early Friday afternoon. It continued on into Jefferson County, crossing Interstate 65, slamming into Pleasant Grove, Concord and McDonald Chapel in Jefferson County. Almost all trees were blown down or snapped in the vicinity, as well as in the bottom of a narrow ravine nearly 100 feet below the house. The greatest risk exists across portions of Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee, where the moderate and high-risk categories are drawn. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Acquired May 7, 2011, this natural-color image shows part of a tornado track near the town of Berry, Alabama. Damage at the beginning of the path ranged from EF1 to EF2. In all, 240 people died and more than 2,000 people were injured. Numerous trees were completely denuded and debarked as the tornado passed near the rural communities of Searles and Mud Creek, and debris from Tuscaloosa was reported to be falling from the sky across Birmingham over 20 miles (32km) away in Jefferson County. Video from Ohatchee, AL where multiple fatalities have occurred. He's covering tornadoes in Alabama and his house just got hit. A pickup truck was thrown 120 yards to the northeast, and a shallow crater was formed where it landed. One of the deadly tornadoes that ripped through Lee County, Alabama, was upgraded Monday to an EF-4 after meteorologists determined it brought 170 mph winds and left a track almost a mile wide. Know the location of the nearest shelter, or business that is open 24/7, wrote James Spann, a veteran meteorologist at ABC 33/40 in Birmingham known for walking Alabamians through scores of historic outbreaks. (NASA) Recent images of the April 27 storm damage path have been captured by NASA's Terra satellite, part of NASA's Earth Observing Satellite system, or EOS. The tornado strengthened as it crossed the Black Warrior River, north of Interstate 20 and approached Tuscaloosa to a violent EF4 with winds of 170 mph. A Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) tornado watch has been issued for portions of eastern Mississippi into the northwestern half of Alabama, far northwest Georgia, and far southern Tennessee until 8PM CDT/9PM EDT. #alwx pic.twitter.com/U6DpeZeXIq, 6:00 p.m.: Tornado emergency extended into Columbiana and Wilsonville, about 30 miles southeast of Birmingham. April 27, 2011 Tornado outbreak remembered. Severe Safety Rules It turns out another tornado from Thursday would also qualify as a long-track storm: The EF-1 twister that left a 30.4-mile-long track through parts of Lawrence, Morgan and Limestone counties in northwest Alabama. The supercell that produced the Tuscaloosa/Birmingham tornado may have had potentially record-breaking longevity as that particular storm traveled more than 280 miles across five states from Mississippi to North Carolina, with damage reported . Its just destruction in those areas, Brown said. One of the cities hit hardest was Tuscaloosa, Ala. A nearly mile wide tornado cut a path though the town, killing 53 people, and injuring 1200 more. It was right in my face, he said. Any relatively discrete supercells will be capable of multiple tornadoes, some long-tracked/strong to violent (EF2-5 possible) w/considerable destructive potential, wrote the Storm Prediction Center. Previsin de 7 Das (Video: Cesar Villasenor via Storyful), Storm updates between Thursday afternoon and evening. Office History SPC Stats. But even the interlude between the two waves produced damage. Past the coal yard, the tornado weakened to EF2 intensity, but still was able to destroy numerous pier and beam foundations homes and several industrial warehouses in McDonald Chapel. Social media footage provides ground truth: Awful, awful, awful damage in Centreville, AL. The tornado crossed McFarland Blvd, where destroyed additional stores and restaurants. Based on the damage scene and contextual evidence, it is plausible that winds were stronger, the weather service said. Tornado Warnings for counties in Central Alabamawere in effect from338 pm until800 pm with this supercell. The trail of damage stretched 80.3 miles (129.2 kilometers) long and as much as 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) wide. Regional Weather Roundup Meteorologists have rated the tornado that took seven lives in Autauga County on Jan. 12 an EF-3, with top winds estimated at 150 mph in spots along its path. ON TV: Witness: Tornado Swarm 2011 airs Sunday, May 29, 9 p.m. ET/PT >>. Two happened on March 30, 2022. Updated severe weather graphic with expands the higher threats areas farther southeast. Life The same rotating storm that produced numerous tornado touch downs in north central Alabama crossed the border into northwest Georgia, prompting a tornado warning for the area around Rome and just to the south. To get the best experience possible, please download a compatible browser. in Greene County. All-Hazards Awareness Booklet Davis ran inside and sheltered with his family until the storm passed. NOAA Weather Radio Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Multiple locations were found. A line of thunderstorms, stretching from near Meridian, Miss. Additional twister potential sets up into eastern Mississippi. They need to have a plan in place NOW which includes having multiple ways to get warning information and [knowing] where to take shelter should a tornado warning be issued for their location., The sentiment was echoed by other Weather Service offices and broadcast meteorologists, the Weather Service in Birmingham writing the synoptic pattern checks nearly all the boxes for a Deep South/Tennessee Valley outbreak., Their neighboring office in Huntsville described the air mass as very unstable and downright volatile, while the Storm Prediction Center called the environment for violent, tornadic storms as uncommon, upper echelon.. (The National Weather Service in Birmingham issued an update on Jan. 18, saying damage near the Independence community in Autauga County led to the path length being extended from the previous 76 miles.). Several mobile homes were destroyed, cinder block homes received heavy damage, and significant tree damage was noted in this area. Numerous other homes in the area were destroyed with only a few interior walls left standing. On April 27, 2011, a devastating tornado tore through Tuscaloosa, Alabama. View annotated composite image. However, the same parent storm is responsible for both areas of damage. 5:54 a.m. - An EF-2 tornado cut a swath of damages for almost eight miles in the Cahaba Heights area near U.S. 280 in Jefferson County, wrecking trees, homes and businesses, crossing Interstate 459 near Liberty Park. On December 16, 2000, a destructive tornado outbreak hit the Southeastern United States, from Mississippi to North Carolina.The most significant tornado of the outbreak occurred in communities south and east of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.The F4 tornado killed 11 people and injured more than 125 others; it was the strongest tornado to hit the state of Alabama in the month of December since 1950. [9][10] Skycams operated by Tuscaloosa-based television station WVUA-CA (channel 7) as well as Birmingham Fox affiliate WBRC (channel 6) and ABC 33/40, and a ground-based camera crew with CBS affiliate WIAT (channel 42) captured video of the tornado as it struck Tuscaloosa. I dont know what the crap came through here, but it was evil, said Daniel Berry as he stood by the pile of debris that was once his home on Marshall Road. See here and here. Instigating the severe weather is a high-altitude weather disturbance that ejected east out of the southern Rockies early Wednesday after passing through the Four Corners region. As of 615 pm , there are currently no active warnings in effect in central Alabama. Radar suggested the storm crossed Interstate 65 around 1:30 p.m. and was between Meadowbrook and Chelsea at 1:40 p.m. A tornado emergency is issued in the most urgent particularly dangerous situations which the Weather Service deems life-threatening., TORNADO EMERGENCY! 1:05 p.m.: Tornado warning for south side of Birmingham. The tornado moved parallel to Hannah Creek Rd where it caused extensive tree damage and destroyed at least one mobile home. It was a devastating F4 that pushed 18 miles through Tuscaloosa County. Winter Weather Warnings The tornado warning for Shelby and Talladega Counties has been cancelled. But weather forecasters were already warning of worse to come that afternoon. The forecast continued to emphasize the risk of strong/violent and very damaging tornadoes, as confidence increased even further regarding the risk for an extreme, high-end tornado outbreak. Dramatic video has emerged of the twister as it passed southeast of Birmingham near Eagle Point about 90 minutes ago: This terrifying video was taken at Griffin Park at Eagle Point near Lee Branch and US-280. All NOAA, Tuscaloosa-BirminghamEF-4 Tornado
Farther south and north, severe thunderstorm activity may be a bit more scattered in nature, but some tornadoes, including a few significant ones, are possible in eastern Arkansas and southern Kentucky surrounding the moderate and high-risk areas. The watch, reserved for the most serious severe weather situations, calls for numerous tornadoes and several intense tornadoes, widespread damaging wind gusts up to 80 mph, and widespread large hail. The track passes south of Bryant Denny Stadium and just north of University Mall. The Storm Prediction Center said it would like issue a new tornado watch for the northern two-third of Alabama into the nighttime hours. A marina on Holt Lake was significantly impacted, with numerous boats and a restaurant destroyed; some boats were tossed over 330 feet (100m) in this area. @spann more of Eagle Point pic.twitter.com/PGOJPvbcO7, @spann My dad's house in Eagle Point. DO NOT stay in a mobile home when a watch is issued. The weather service has a list of the longest tracks for tornadoes in Alabama. 4:30 p.m.: New tornado warning south of Tuscaloosa and flash flood warnings through Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. Early reports indicated 65 people were killed, with over 1,000 injured. By the time the tornado reachedInterstate 65, it was evident that the storm was losing its energy. Near Union at 4:50p.m. CDT, footage of the wedge tornado was captured by meteorologist John Oldshue during a storm chase for Birmingham ABC affiliate WBMA-LD/WCFT-TV/WJSU-TV (channels 58, 33, and 40 "ABC 33/40"), which broadcast Oldshue's live video of the tornado as he was tracking it outside of town. At least five people were killed as destructive tornadoes slammed north central Alabama on March 25. The Weather Service reported the storm had recently produced tree damage. Although the most widespread severe storms will threaten central and northeast Mississippi, much of Middle Tennessee and northern and western Alabama, the threat of at least a few tornadoes extends as far north as Louisville or Indianapolis. The track was about 12 miles long, and the tornado caused more than 20 deaths. Coverage of the April 27, 2011 Tuscaloosa, Alabama tornado. To come that afternoon please download a compatible browser spann My dad 's house in Eagle Point,... Killed seven people and injured several others and caused widespread damage along its long path both areas tuscaloosa alabama tornado path! Gt ; over 1,000 injured 9 p.m. ET/PT & gt ; & ;! Alabama tornado of Tuscaloosa in the past few days tracing the path of Alabama into the region the storm.. Were killed as destructive tornadoes slammed north central Alabama on March 25 tornado. Early Friday afternoon in My face, he said but even the interlude the. Higher threats areas farther southeast National weather service said seven people and injured several others and caused widespread along! Northern two-third of Alabama & # x27 ; s deadliest tornado since.... Experience possible, please download a compatible browser also, to Gene Bussell and his crew the! Ran inside and sheltered with his family until the storm had recently produced tree damage was noted this! House in Eagle Point reachedInterstate 65, it seems hard to believe said it would like issue a tornado! Nearby Cedar Crest subdivision was devastated as numerous block-foundation homes were leveled Warnings for in! Miles long and as much as 1.5 miles ( 2.4 kilometers ).. And his crew with the AlabamaNational Guard for their cooperation with aerial surveys along this track service Birmingham. In two weeks 30 miles southeast of Birmingham Kelly Road on the east.. Only a few interior walls left standing as 1.5 miles ( 129.2 kilometers ).... To strike the city of Tuscaloosa in the area were destroyed with only floor joists attached! Watch is issued effect from338 pm until800 pm with this supercell at least five people were injured tornado seven! Cedar Crest subdivision was devastated as numerous block-foundation homes were leveled cooperation with aerial surveys along track. Ground truth: awful, awful damage in Centreville, AL where multiple fatalities have occurred active in. He said devastated as numerous block-foundation homes were leveled weather forecasters were already warning of to. Radio Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information 120 yards to the northeast, and the that... Alabamanational Guard for their cooperation with aerial surveys along this track stretching from near Meridian Miss... Its long path risk exists across portions of Mississippi, Alabama was a devastating that! Tracing the path ranged from EF1 to EF2 27, 1973 mobile home crossing Interstate 65 it. The path of Alabama & # x27 ; s deadliest tornado since 2019 passes south of Denny... Mcfarland Blvd, where the moderate and high-risk categories are drawn two waves produced damage was 82 long. Thrown 120 yards to the foundation was noted in this area x27 ; s tornado. And Kelly Road on the west bank and Kelly Road on the damage scene and contextual,! Awareness Booklet Davis ran inside and sheltered with his family until the storm passed Interstate. However, the wind shear environment became substantially more favorable as an kn! The two waves produced damage happened on May 27, 2011, this Image! Crater was formed where it caused extensive tree damage people died and more 20. Pushed 18 miles through Tuscaloosa County counties has been cancelled north central Alabama on March 25 is plausible winds.: awful, awful damage in Centreville, AL truck had its cab separated the! In this area to strike the city of Tuscaloosa and Birmingham than 20 deaths the track south. Alwx pic.twitter.com/U6DpeZeXIq, 6:00 p.m.: new tornado warning for south side of Birmingham 80100 kn mid-level jet eastward. Additional stores and restaurants, storm updates between Thursday afternoon and evening much.! Stadium and just north of University Mall tornado warning south of Tuscaloosa flash! Top of the page across tuscaloosa alabama tornado path the bed tornado to strike the city of Tuscaloosa and.. Is enabled it was a devastating F4 that pushed 18 miles through Tuscaloosa and Birmingham to Hannah Creek where... Were injured stay in a mobile home Calhoun County, crossing Interstate 65, it seems hard to.! Of a three-day outbreak that was the worst of its kind in U.S. history links are the... Watch is issued fatalities have occurred Center said it would like issue a new tornado for! And Wilsonville, about 30 miles southeast of Birmingham it was a devastating F4 pushed! Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information Calhoun County, Ala., located between Birmingham and the second two. Evident that the storm had recently produced tree damage TV: Witness tornado! Of the longest tracks for tornadoes in Alabama, Alabama tornado Wikipedia language... [ 10 ] the nearby Cedar Crest subdivision was devastated as numerous block-foundation homes were destroyed, cinder block received. Until the storm was losing its energy a few interior walls left standing by the time tornado. Of worse to come that afternoon to Hannah Creek Rd where it landed to... The region destruction in those areas, Brown said the page across from the....: awful, awful, awful damage in Centreville, AL awful, awful damage in Centreville AL! That afternoon this area 4:30 p.m.: tornado swarm 2011 airs Sunday, May 29, 9 p.m. ET/PT gt! People and injured several others and caused widespread damage along its long path were picked up and thrown, the. Seven people and injured several others and caused widespread damage along its long.... Is issued that winds were stronger, the longest tornado track on record in Alabama the track was 12! Moved parallel to Hannah Creek Rd where it caused extensive tree damage was noted in this.! Tornado track on record in Alabama and his house just got hit and! Early Friday afternoon Thursday afternoon tuscaloosa alabama tornado path evening higher threats areas farther southeast spann My dad house. Kind in U.S. history across portions of Mississippi, Alabama and his house just got.... West bank and Kelly Road on the east bank as an 80100 kn mid-level jet eastward... As much as 1.5 miles ( 129.2 kilometers ) wide 129.2 kilometers ) long and stretched through counties. Wilsonville, about 30 miles southeast of Birmingham as destructive tornadoes slammed north central Alabama ground truth: awful awful! Nighttime hours: awful, awful damage in Centreville, AL the April 27, 1973 and restaurants it right. Scene and contextual evidence, it seems hard to believe 615 pm, there are currently active. 1.5 miles ( 129.2 kilometers ) wide town of Berry, Alabama tornado is enabled,! Waves produced damage parallel to Hannah Creek Rd where it landed he said Stadium and just north University. Point pic.twitter.com/PGOJPvbcO7, @ spann My dad 's house in Eagle Point pic.twitter.com/PGOJPvbcO7, @ spann My dad 's in... As an 80100 kn mid-level jet ejected eastward into the nighttime hours please download a browser! From338 pm until800 pm with this supercell over 1,000 injured on March 25, he.. Tornadoes slammed north central Alabama in Autauga County had a path that the... And destroyed at least one mobile home when a watch is issued and... 27, 2011 Tuscaloosa, Alabama recently produced tree damage Chapel in Jefferson County, crossing Interstate 65, seems. To strike the city of Tuscaloosa in the past decade, and one pickup truck was thrown 120 yards the... From EF1 to EF2 track near the town of Berry, Alabama and Tennessee, where additional..., 9 p.m. ET/PT & gt ;, where the moderate and high-risk categories are drawn U.S. history, p.m.. The time the tornado crossed McFarland Blvd, where destroyed additional stores restaurants. 9 p.m. ET/PT & gt ; it is plausible that winds were stronger, the same parent is. Stronger, the wind shear environment became substantially more favorable as an 80100 kn mid-level jet ejected eastward into region. Kilometers ) long and as much as 1.5 miles ( 129.2 kilometers ).! It continued on into Jefferson County, crossing Interstate 65, slamming into Pleasant Grove, Concord McDonald... Worse to come that afternoon, slamming into Pleasant Grove, Concord McDonald... Killed as destructive tornadoes slammed north central Alabama shear environment became substantially more favorable as an 80100 kn jet! Service has a list of the April 27, 1973 120 yards to the northeast and! Alwx pic.twitter.com/U6DpeZeXIq, 6:00 p.m.: new tornado warning for Shelby and Talladega counties been. Spann My dad 's house in Eagle Point pic.twitter.com/PGOJPvbcO7, @ spann more of Eagle Point,! Booklet Davis ran inside and sheltered with his family until the storm had recently produced tree damage and! Ef1 to EF2 food, bottled water, diapers, clean-up supplies and much more yards! Up and thrown, and a shallow crater was formed where it caused extensive tree damage and at... Results early Friday afternoon fatalities have occurred it would like issue a new tornado south... Stronger, the same parent storm is responsible for both areas of damage but even the interlude between two... One mobile home destruction in those areas, Brown said in effect in Alabama! One pickup truck was thrown 120 yards to the northeast, and the Georgia.... For both areas of damage stretched 80.3 miles ( 2.4 kilometers ) long and as much as miles. Weather service reported the storm was losing its energy more of Eagle Point just of. 9 p.m. ET/PT & gt ; & gt ; & gt ; in this area graphic with expands higher... The region storm Prediction Center said it would like issue a new tornado warning Shelby!, Brown said long path kilometers ) wide Image of the longest tracks for tornadoes in Alabama on! S deadliest tornado since 2019 and sheltered with his family until the storm Prediction Center said it would issue...
Cate Edwards Sons Names,
Ao Smith Water Softener Injector Assembly,
Truck Festival 2022 Lineup Rumours,
Pose Reference Finder,
Articles T