Tornadoes in Alabama, May 15, 2008

Name: Tornadoes in Alabama, May 15, 2008
Start: 2008-05-15T11:17
End: 2008-05-15T11:38
Location: Alabama

May 15, 2008 · NWS MOB · 2 events in 2 counties and zones

A weak tornado developed in the east part of Conecuh county and moved into the west part of Covington county. The tornado caused mostly tree damage with some structures damaged near the end of the track.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $175,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 2

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS MOB wrote it up.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Mobile, AL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 15, 8:30 AM CST, 2 hours 47 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 15, 8:30 AM CST, 2 hours 47 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
930 AM CDT THU MAY 15 2008

.UPDATE...JUST SENT A ZONE AND GRID UPDATE TO ACCOUNT FOR NEWLY
ISSUED TORNADO WATCH 326 THAT IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM CDT FOR
MOST OF THE WFO MOBILE FORECAST AREA. LATEST SPC MESOANALYSIS
INDICATES SB CAPE VALUES NOW APPROACHING 1500 TO 2000 J/KG WITH
VALUES OVER 2500 J/KG NOT TOO FAR OFFSHORE. SRH OFF OF THE KMOB VAD
WIND PROFILE ALSO INDICATES 0-3 KM VALUES OVER 300 M2/S2. THE VAD
WIND PROFILE ALSO INDICATES 40 TO 50 KNOT WINDS ARE LOCATED NOT TOO
FAR OFF THE DECK AND THESE VALUES ARE ALL FAVORABLE FOR ROTATING
UPDRAFTS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING ISOLATED TORNADOES AND DAMAGING WINDS.
THE HEAVY RAINFALL THREAT WILL ALSO HAVE TO BE MONITORED AS
PRECIPITABLE WATER VALUES ARE NOW OVER 2 INCHES AND THESE STORMS WILL
BE VERY EFFICIENT RAINFALL PRODUCERS AS EVIDENCED BY THE NEARLY
TROPICAL DOWNPOURS AT THE OFFICE WITHIN THE LAST 20 MINUTES.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO AND LOCAL MEDIA OUTLETS FOR FURTHER
UPDATES ON THIS DEVELOPING WEATHER SITUATION. /13

&&

.MOB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AL...NONE.
FL...NONE.
MS...NONE.
GM...NONE.

&&

13.JC

Hazardous weather outlook, May 15, 6:25 AM CST, 4 hours 52 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED FOR RIP CURRENTS...
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
725 AM CDT THU MAY 15 2008

ALZ051>064-FLZ001>006-GMZ630-650-655-670-675-MSZ067-075-076-078-
079-161200-
CHOCTAW-WASHINGTON-CLARKE-WILCOX-MONROE-CONECUH-BUTLER-CRENSHAW-
ESCAMBIA-COVINGTON-UPPER MOBILE-UPPER BALDWIN-LOWER MOBILE-
LOWER BALDWIN-INLAND ESCAMBIA-COASTAL ESCAMBIA-INLAND SANTA ROSA-
COASTAL SANTA ROSA-INLAND OKALOOSA-COASTAL OKALOOSA-MOBILE BAY-
COASTAL WATERS FROM PENSACOLA FL TO PASCAGOULA MS OUT 20 NM-
COASTAL WATERS FROM DESTIN TO PENSACOLA FL OUT 20 NM-
WATERS FROM PENSACOLA FL TO PASCAGOULA MS FROM 20 TO 60 NM-
WATERS FROM DESTIN TO PENSACOLA FL FROM 20 TO 60 NM-WAYNE-PERRY-
GREENE-STONE-GEORGE-
725 AM CDT THU MAY 15 2008

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL
ALABAMA...SOUTHWEST ALABAMA...THE COASTAL WATERS OF ALABAMA AND
NORTHWEST FLORIDA...NORTHWEST FLORIDA AND SOUTHEAST MISSISSIPPI.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT...

SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL BECOME BETTER DEVELOPED LATER THIS
MORNING AND CONTINUE THROUGH MUCH OF THE DAY AND TONIGHT. DUE TO
DEEP LAYERED MOISTURE IN THE ATMOSPHERE ACROSS MUCH OF THE FORECAST
AREA LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL AMOUNTS WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH SOME OF
HEAVIER SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH TONIGHT. AT THIS TIME
DUE TO THE PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT WITH THE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
IN PLACE GENERALLY TO THE NORTH AND WEST WILL HOLD OFF FROM ISSUING
ANY FLASH FLOOD PRODUCTS THIS MORNING...BUT CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS
SITUATION CLOSELY FOR POSSIBLE HEAVY RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS LATER
TODAY AND TONIGHT. DUE TO LIMITED INSTABILITY AND VERTICAL SHEAR
ESPECIALLY DEVELOPING LATER THIS AFTERNOON THE THREAT OF STRONG
ROTATING UPDRAFTS AND DAMAGING WINDS WILL BE ISOLATED MOSTLY DUE TO
THE DEEPER LAYERED MOISTURE. AT THIS TIME A SLIGHT RISK CONTINUES TO
BE POSTED FOR SEVERE WEATHER FOR MUCH OF THE FORECAST AREA THROUGH
TONIGHT. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MOBILE WILL CONTINUE TO
MONITOR THIS DEVELOPING WEATHER PATTERN FOR POSSIBLE UPDATES FOR
LATER TODAY AND TONIGHT.

THERE IS A MODERATE RISK FOR DANGEROUS RIP CURRENT ALONG THE ALABAMA
NORTHWEST FLORIDA BEACHES TODAY.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WITH LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL POSSIBLE CAN
BE EXPECTED OVER SOUTHERN SECTIONS OF THE FORECAST AREA EARLY FRIDAY
MORNING. DUE TO A POSSIBLE SLOWER PROGRESSION OF SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS BY FRIDAY MORNING SOME FLOODING MAY BE POSSIBLE IN LOW
LYING AREAS AND WERE POOR DRAINAGE USUALLY OCCURS. THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE IN MOBILE WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS DEVELOPING
WEATHER SITUATION THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND TONIGHT FOR A POSSIBLE
FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR FRIDAY MORNING.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

ACTIVATION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS AND SEVERE WEATHER
SPOTTERS MAY BE REQUIRED TONIGHT AND FRIDAY.

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 15, 10:00 AM CST, 1 hour 17 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
1100 AM CDT THU MAY 15 2008

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1028 AM     TSTM WND DMG     NEW AUGUSTA             31.20N 89.04W
05/15/2008                   PERRY              MS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            TREES DOWN BETWEEN NEW AUGUSTA AND RUNNELTOWN AND ALSO
            WEST OF RICHTON BETWEEN 1028 AND 1040 AM.

&&

GB

Local storm report, May 15, 10:27 AM CST, 50 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
1127 AM CDT THU MAY 15 2008

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1106 AM     TSTM WND DMG     WAYNESBORO              31.67N 88.65W
05/15/2008                   WAYNE              MS   BROADCAST MEDIA

            WAYNESBORO TO CLARA TREES DOWN BETWEEN 1106 AND 1111 AM.

&&

GB

Local storm report, May 15, 10:31 AM CST, 46 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
1131 AM CDT THU MAY 15 2008

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1056 AM     TSTM WND DMG     CITRONELLE              31.09N 88.24W
05/15/2008                   MOBILE             AL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            NUMEROUS TREES DOWN

&&

CULLEN

Local storm report, May 15, 10:57 AM CST, 20 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
1157 AM CDT THU MAY 15 2008

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1154 AM     TORNADO          ANDALUSIA               31.31N 86.48W
05/15/2008                   COVINGTON          AL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TORNADO REPORTED ON THE GROUND JUST WEST OF ANDALUSIA
            ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

&&

CULLEN

Local storm report, May 15, 11:00 AM CST, 17 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
1200 PM CDT THU MAY 15 2008

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1130 AM     TSTM WND DMG     AQUILLA                 31.71N 88.41W
05/15/2008                   CHOCTAW            AL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREES DOWN.

&&

GB

Local storm report, May 15, 11:12 AM CST, 5 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
1212 PM CDT THU MAY 15 2008

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1145 AM     TSTM WND DMG     URIAH                   31.31N 87.50W
05/15/2008                   MONROE             AL   BROADCAST MEDIA

            POSSIBLE TORNADO DESTROYED BARN ON ROCKY CREEK RD NEAR
            URIAH

&&

CULLEN

The radar

The Eglin Afb radar (KEVX), 117 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:19 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

2 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Tornado, Conecuh

When: May 15, 11:17 AM CST to 11:27 AM CST
Where: Conecuh County, 0.99 mi WNW of Paul to 5.44 mi ENE of Melrose
Rating: EF0
Path length: 7.17 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Continued into: Covington, Al (MOB)
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.326, -86.765

A weak tornado first touched down just west of Paul. The tornado moved northeast and passed just east of Cohassett. The tornado moved across U. S. Highway 84 at the Conecuh and Covington county line. This is a rural area and the only damage the tornado caused was to trees. Some of the trees landed across the rural roads and had to be moved before anyone could drive on the roads.

Tornado, Covington

When: May 15, 11:27 AM CST to 11:38 AM CST
Where: Covington County, 3.15 mi W of Red Level to 2.85 mi ENE of South
Rating: EF0
Path length: 7.79 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $150,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.392, -86.672

A weak tornado moved out of Conecuh county and into Covington county along U. S. Highway 84. The tornado moved northeast and tracked just west of Red Level where a tree fell on a house and caused major roof damage. The tornado then passed near the city of South where three homes and one mobile home were damaged. An old volunteer fire department building was also damaged. The tornado then dissipated. In addition to the structures that were damaged, many trees were blown down along the path of the tornado.

What these are

Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Alabama in 2008 Every state in 2008 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Alabama, 2008 Warnings in Alabama, May 2008

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 102046, 102052.