Tornadoes and Hail in Alabama, April 15 to 16, 2011

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Alabama, April 15 to 16, 2011
Start: 2011-04-15T10:00
End: 2011-04-16T00:20
Location: Alabama

April 15 to 16, 2011 · NWS MOB · 38 events in 9 counties and zones

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: 3
Injuries: 4
Property damage: $16 million
Crop damage: $3.0 million
Events: 38

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.

Numerous supercell thunderstorms developed in the late morning through the evening hours across Mississippi and Alabama. A series of long track tornadic supercell thunderstorms moved out of southeast Mississippi in the late morning, and crossed southwest Alabama in the late morning through the afternoon and evening hours. In southwest Alabama, the tornadoes missed the larger populated towns and communities, but did produce significant damage to numerous homes in rural areas. Several injuries were reported with 3 fatalities in Deer Park, Alabama (Washington County) from an EF-3 tornado during the early evening hours. Widespread damage to timber along several 200 to 600 yard-wide tornado paths resulted in significant losses to the timber industry. The Alabama Forestry Commission estimated timber losses in southwest Alabama to be near 7.3 million dollars.

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 Apr 15, 9:40 AM CST, 20 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 15, 9:40 AM CST, 20 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION...UPDATE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
1040 AM CDT FRI APR 15 2011

.UPDATE...PACKAGE UPDATED TO ADD SEVERAL MORE COUNTIES TO TORNADO
WATCH NUMBER 140...WHICH WILL BE IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM CDT.
PERRY...GREENE...STONE...GEORGE COUNTIES IN MISSISSIPPI AND
MOBILE...WASHINGTON AND CLARKE COUNTIES IN ALABAMA ARE NOW ALL
INCLUDED IN THIS WATCH. BREAKS IN THE CLOUD COVER IS ALLOWING FOR AN
INCREASE IN INSTABILITIES OVER SOUTHEAST MISSISSIPPI...WITH LAPS
MODEL MU CAPES APPROACHING 1800-2000 J/KG ATTM. 0-3KM HELICITIES
HAVE INCREASED TO 500-600 M2/S2 OVER THE SAME AREAS. STORMS HAVE
ALREADY SHOWN SOME ROTATION OVER STONE AND GEORGE COUNTIES OF
MISSISSIPPI...BUT AS THEY MOVE NORTH TOWARD PERRY...GREENE AND WAYNE
COUNTIES AND OVER TOWARD WASHINGTON AND CHOCTAW COUNTIES OF ALABAMA
THE UPDRAFTS HAVE BEEN QUICKLY INTENSIFYING AND SEVERAL TORNADO
WARNINGS HAVE BEEN ISSUED OVER THE PAST FEW MINUTES FOR SOME OF
THESE LOCATIONS. THERE HAS BEEN A REPORT OF A TORNADO ON THE GROUND
NEAR WHISTLER IN WAYNE COUNTY IN THE PAST 15 MINUTES OR SO. EXPECT
STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS TO CONTINUE THIS MORNING INTO THE AFTERNOON
HOURS...WITH DISCRETE SUPER CELL STORMS MOVING NORTHEAST ACROSS THE
AREA. THE PRIMARY AREA FOR THE SEVERE/TORNADIC THREAT THROUGH EARLY
AFTERNOON WILL BE OVER PERRY...GREENE AND WAYNE COUNTIES OF
MISSISSIPPI AS WELL AS WASHINGTON...CHOCTAW AND CLARKE COUNTIES OF
ALABAMA. ZONE UPDATE FOR EXPANSION OF TORNADO WATCH HAS ALREADY BEEN
ISSUED. 12/DS

&&

.SHORT TERM...(TODAY AND TONIGHT)SHORT TERM SHAPING UP TO BE QUITE
INTERESTING AS A CLOSE UPPER LOW OVER THE PLAINS MEANDERS
EASTWARD...MOVING TO OVER THE OHIO RIVER VALLEY TODAY THROUGH
TONIGHT. THERE HAS BEEN SOME WAFFLING IN THE GUIDANCE NORTH AND
SOUTH WITH THE PLACEMENT OF THE JET STRUCTURE THIS SYSTEM...WHICH
HAS CAUSED SOME ADJUSTMENT NORTH AND SOUTH OF THE BEST RISK FOR
SEVERE WEATHER. CURRENTLY...THE FA NORTH OF THE FL PANHANDLE IS
UNDER A MODERATE RISK OF SEVERE WEATHER...PER THE MIDNIGHT SPC
DISCUSSION. FOR MORE ON THIS...PLEASE REFERENCE THE SWODY1 PRODUCT
ISSUED BY SPC.

WITH CAPES INCREASING TO OVER 1500 TO 2000 J/KG TODAY(DEPENDING UPON
WHICH GUIDANCE ONE LOOKS AT)...ALONG WITH HELICITY VALUES IN THE
LOWEST 1KM LAYER INCREASING TO AROUND 300 M^2/S^S BY 7PM/00Z EARLY
THIS EVENING...SEE THE REASONING BEHIND THE SPC PLACEMENT. TIMING IS
A BIT INCONSISTENT IN THE NORTH/SOUTH RUNNING FRONT GETTING PUSHED
ACROSS THE FA...ALONG WITH THE EXPECTED SQUALL LINE ACROSS THE AREA.
GFS/ECMWF HAVE THE SQUALL LINE STARTING ACROSS THE AREA AROUND
7PM/00Z THIS EVENING...AND EXITING EAST OF THE AREA BY 1AM/06Z. NAM
IS SEVERAL HOURS SLOWER THAN THE MORE COURSE RESOLUTION MODELS...BUT
ALL ARE IN PRETTY GOOD AGREEMENT WITH THE SEVERE PARAMETERS. HAVE
WENT WITH THE GFS/ECMWF TIMING...SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN PRETTY GOOD
RECENTLY.

FOR THE FORECAST...HAVE WENT WITH THE MODEL PHYSICALS(GFS AND ECMWF)
FOR A START...ADJUSTING FROM THERE...SINCE STRAIGHT MOS TENDS TO NOT
HANDLE SOME THIS FAR ON THE EDGE OF IT'S FORECAST ENVELOPE VERY
WELL. FOR TEMPS...THIS IS A LEAN TOWARDS THE GFS MOS
NUMBERS...THOUGH WITH WATER TEMPS IN THE UPPER 60S TO AROUND
70...FEEL MOS IS TOO WARM ALONG AND CLOSE TO THE COAST.

SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT...COLD FRONT WILL BE EAST OF DESTIN AT
SUNRISE SATURDAY WITH POSSIBLY A FEW SHOWERS LINGERING ALONG THE
EXTREME EASTERN ZONES. OTHERWISE SKIES WILL BE CLEARING OR ALREADY
CLEAR BY SUNRISE SATURDAY AS DRIER AIR FOLLOWS THE UPPER TROUGH
ACROSS THE FORECAST AREA. HIGHS MOSTLY IN THE MID AND UPPER 70S WITH
A MODERATE WEST WIND GRADUALLY BECOMING NORTHWEST AS THE SURFACE LOW
PULLS NORTH OVER THE GREAT LAKES. SURFACE HIGH WILL MOVE EAST ACROSS
THE AREA SATURDAY NIGHT BRINGING COOL TEMPERATURES AND LIGHT WINDS.
LOWS BY SUNDAY MORNING BETWEEN 45 AND 50 DEGREES. ANOTHER NICE DAY
ON SUNDAY AS THE SURFACE HIGH MOVES TO THE SOUTHEAST COAST AND
SOUTHEAST WINDS RETURN TO THE AREA. HIGH TEMPERATURES 75 TO 80
DEGREES. /11

.LONG TERM...(MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY)H5 ZONAL FLOW ON MONDAY WILL
TURN MORE SOUTHWEST ON TUESDAY AS A TROUGH DEVELOP ON THE LEE SIDE
OF THE ROCKIES. THIS DRAWS BETTER MOISTURE INTO THE WESTERN HALF OF
THE AREA...BRINGING A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
BACK INTO THE FORECAST FOR TUESDAY AND TUESDAY NIGHT AND A SLIGHT
CHANCE AREA WIDE ON WEDNESDAY. AN UPPER RIDGE JUST OFF THE SOUTHEAST
COAST WILL WEAKEN AND DIVERT THE UPPER TROUGH TO THE NORTHEAST WITH
THE ASSOCIATED FRONT STALLING BY MID WEEK WELL OFF TO THE NORTHWEST.
THE BETTER DEEP MOISTURE WILL BE SHUNTED ACROSS THE TENNESSEE VALLEY
AND ONLY EXPECT A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS OVER
THE EXTREME NORTHERN BOUNDARIES OF THE FORECAST AREA THROUGH THE
REMAINDER OF THE EXTENDED. HIGH TEMPERATURES BACK INTO THE MID AND
UPPER 80S MID TUESDAY INTO THURSDAY...AROUND 80 ON THE BEACHES. /11

&&

.AVIATION...(12Z ISSUANCE)SYSTEM MOVING EAST FROM OVER THE PLAINS TO
OVER THE OHIO RIVER VALLEY THROUGH THE FORECAST...VFR LEVEL STRATUS
OVERSPREADING THE AREA WILL SLOWLY LOWER OVER THE AREA AS SHRA/TSRA
INCREASE THROUGH THE DAY. A LINE OF TSRA IS CURRENTLY FORECAST TO
START MOVING OVER SE MISS THIS EVENING...WITH GUSTY WINDS LIKELY AS
THE LINE PASSES. WINDS BEHIND THE FRONT ARE EXPECTED TO BE A GENERAL
WESTERLY...AS THE FRONT GETS "WHIPPED" EASTWARD OVER THE FA...AS
APPOSED TO THE USUAL NW TO SE FRONTAL MOVEMENT.

&&

.MARINE...AHEAD OF A MODERATE TO STRONG FRONT MOVING EAST OVER THE
AREA THIS EVENING INTO THE OVERNIGHT HOURS...STRONG ONSHORE FLOW
WILL OVERSPREAD THE AREA TODAY. MODERATE TO STRONG WESTERLY FLOW
WILL FOLLOW THE FRONT...THEN SLOWLY TRANSITION TO NORTHWESTERLY
THROUGH SATURDAY...AS SURFACE HIGH PRESSURE MOVES TOWARDS THE AREA
FROM OVER THE SOUTHERN PLAINS AND THE FRONT MOVES SLOWLY EAST OF THE
AREA. GUIDANCE IS ADVERTISING THIS FLOW BEING MODERATE TO
STRONG...EVEN AS THE SURFACE HIGH PASSES NORTH OF THE AL/W-RN FL
COASTAL WATERS. GUIDANCE DOESN'T HAVE THE WINDS LIGHTENING UNTIL
SUNDAY...WHEN THE SURFACE HIGH MOVES EAST OF THE AREA AND THE
PRESSURE GRADIENT EASES. FOR SUNDAY INTO TUESDAY...ANOTHER UPPER
SYSTEM WILL MOVE OVER THE WESTERN CONUS TO OVER THE
PLAINS...ORGANIZING A FRONT OVER THE CENTRAL/SOUTHERN PLAINS MONDAY
AND TUESDAY AND STRENGTHENING THE ONSHORE FLOW AHEAD OF THIS FRONT
MOVING TOWARDS THE AREA ENOUGH TO KEEP THE FLOW LIGHT TO
MODERATE...BUT NOT QUITE ENOUGH TO MOVE OVER THE COASTAL WATERS
THROUGH NEXT WEEK AS THE SYSTEM PASSES WELL NORTH OF THE AREA.

/16

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...BREEZY SOUTHEAST WINDS TODAY WITH SCATTERED SHOWERS
AND THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH THE DAY...SOME STRONG TO
SEVERE...ESPECIALLY NORTH OF THE COASTAL ZONES. SQUALL LINE MOVING
FROM WEST TO EAST LATER TODAY SHOULD GIVE ALL AREAS A DECENT RAIN
WITH HEAVIEST AMOUNTS TO THE NORTH. COLD FRONT BRINGS DRIER AIR IN
FOR SATURDAY WITH LOWEST HUMIDITY 25 TO 30 PERCENT MOST AREAS. LOOKS
LIKE THE 20 FOOT WINDS WILL BE NEAR 15 MPH AND GUSTY WITH
DISPERSIONS ABOVE 75 OVER THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE. WILL INITIATE A
FIRE WEATHER WATCH WITH THIS PACKAGE FOR THE PANHANDLE. DRY AGAIN
SUNDAY BUT WITH LESS WIND AND LOWER DISPERSIONS. /11

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
MOBILE      80  59  77  50 /  70  70  10  05
PENSACOLA   79  65  78  55 /  50  60  10  05
DESTIN      74  69  76  57 /  30  60  20  05
EVERGREEN   81  58  78  46 /  60  80  10  05
WAYNESBORO  80  53  75  45 /  90  80  10  05
CAMDEN      80  55  76  45 /  70  80  10  10
CRESTVIEW   81  65  79  45 /  30  70  20  05

&&

.MOB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AL...NONE.
FL...FIRE WEATHER WATCH FROM NOON SATURDAY TO 5 PM SATURDAY FOR THE
     FOLLOWING ZONES: COASTAL ESCAMBIA...COASTAL OKALOOSA...COASTAL
     SANTA ROSA...INLAND ESCAMBIA...INLAND OKALOOSA...AND INLAND
     SANTA ROSA.
MS...NONE.
GM...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY UNTIL 7 PM SATURDAY FOR THE FOLLOWING
     ZONES: COASTAL WATERS FROM DESTIN TO PENSACOLA FL OUT 20
     NM...COASTAL WATERS FROM PENSACOLA FL TO PASCAGOULA MS OUT
     20 NM...MOBILE BAY...WATERS FROM DESTIN TO PENSACOLA FL
     FROM 20 TO 60 NM...AND WATERS FROM PENSACOLA FL TO
     PASCAGOULA MS FROM 20 TO 60 NM.

&&

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 15, 4:45 AM CST, 5 hours 15 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...CORRECTION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
545 AM CDT FRI APR 15 2011

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-
545 AM CDT FRI APR 15 2011

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

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

A STRONG FRONT IS EXPECTED TO MOVE OVER SOUTHEAST MISSISSIPPI AROUND
SUNSET AND MOVE EAST OF THE WESTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE AND
SOUTH-CENTRAL ALABAMA SHORTLY AFTER MIDNIGHT. A SQUALL LINE IS
EXPECTED TO MOVE EAST WITH THE FRONT...BUT AHEAD OF THIS
LINE...THERE WILL BE AN INCREASE IN COVERAGE AND INTENSITY OF
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH THE LATE MORNING AND AFTERNOON
HOURS. WITH GOOD UPPER SUPPORT AND WIND SHEAR...ALONG WITH AN
INCREASE IN INSTABILITY DURING THE DAY...THERE WILL BE AN INCREASED
CHANCE FOR SOME OF THE THUNDERSTORMS TO BECOME STRONG TO SEVERE.
CURRENTLY...THE STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS A MODERATE RISK OF
SEVERE WEATHER OVER THE AREA NORTH OF THE WESTERN FLORIDA
PANHANDLE..A SLIGHT RISK OVER THE REST OF THE AREA. DAMAGING WINDS
AND LARGE HAIL WILL BE THE PRIMARY THREAT...THOUGH WITH THE GOOD
DIRECTIONAL AND SPEED WIND SHEAR...ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE.

STRONG ONSHORE FLOW WILL OVERSPREAD THE AREA THROUGH THE MORNING
HOURS...INCREASING THE HAZARD FOR SMALL CRAFT THROUGH TONIGHT.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY

MODERATE TO STRONG WINDS OVER THE MARINE AREA THROUGH SATURDAY WILL
CONTINUE TO CREATE HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS FOR SMALL CRAFT.

OVER THE WEEKEND AND INTO THE MIDDLE PART OF NEXT WEEK...NO SEVERE
WEATHER IS ANTICIPATED AS HIGH PRESSURE DRIFTS EAST ACROSS THE
REGION.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

ACTIVATION OF STORM SPOTTERS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT WILL LIKELY BE
REQUIRED THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH THIS EVENING.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Apr 15, 9:29 AM CST, 31 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
1029 AM CDT FRI APR 15 2011

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

1020 AM     TORNADO          2 N STRENGTHFORD        31.65N 88.89W
04/15/2011                   WAYNE              MS   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TORNADO REPORTED BY EMA NORTH OF STRENGTHFORD NEAR THE
            WHISTLER AREA.

&&

10

The radar

The Mobile radar (KMOB), 80 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 16:01 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

21 tornado, 10 hail, 5 funnel cloud, 2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Washington

When: April 15, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Washington County, 2.36 mi W of Sunflower
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 31.380, -88.040

Golfball size hail reported near Sunflower.

Tornado, Clarke

When: April 15, 10:20 AM CST to 10:27 AM CST
Where: Clarke County, 3.18 mi NW of Carlton to 4.54 mi N of Carlton
Rating: EF1
Path length: 3.28 mi
Path width: 500 yd
Property damage: $102,000
Crop damage: $3.0 million
Reported by: Park/Forest Service
Coordinates: 31.364, -87.886

Aerial survey by Alabama Forestry Commission indicated a 300 to 600 yard wide path of trees snapped or blown over on the Fred T. Stimpson State Game Preserve. Several power poles and lines were snapped, and a storage shed was destroyed. The timber losses of large longleaf pine and slash pine were estimated to be close to 3 million dollars.

Tornado, Choctaw

When: April 15, 10:24 AM CST to 10:25 AM CST
Where: Choctaw County, 1.21 mi WNW of Melvin to 1.11 mi WNW of Melvin
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.12 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $60,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.927, -88.469

Brief tornado touchdown at the Hunt Oil Refinery near Melvin. Minor damage to outbuildings and some trees were snapped.

Tornado, Choctaw

When: April 15, 10:26 AM CST to 10:36 AM CST
Where: Choctaw County, 1.76 mi E of Evansboro to 3.37 mi NNE of Water Vly
Rating: EF0
Path length: 4.65 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $40,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.881, -88.420

Tornado touched down near Hurricane Road taking the roof off of one mobile home and damaging one other. The tornado continued northeast across Melvin road and was tracked by a local newspaper reporter on the scene farther to the northeast.

Tornado, Washington

When: April 15, 10:43 AM CST to 10:50 AM CST
Where: Washington County, 3.45 mi NNW of Yellow Pine to 5.29 mi NNE of Yellow Pine
Rating: EF1
Path length: 3.3 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Property damage: $300,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.447, -88.450

The tornado continued east from the State Line, Mississippi area. As the tornado crossed into Washington County, Alabama, it strengthened to EF-1 intensity as it moved into the Laton Hill area along Highway 56, producing damage to several homes, outbuildings, and trees along a 200 yard wide path. One home had a chimney collapse with significant damage to the garage. Other single family homes had sections of the roofing material removed. One manufactured home in the Laton Hill area off Highway 56 and County Road 11 was reported by EMA officials to be completely destroyed.

Tornado, Choctaw

When: April 15, 10:48 AM CST to 11:10 AM CST
Where: Choctaw County, 3.8 mi SSW of Butler to 2.68 mi SE of Lavaca
Rating: EF1
Path length: 12.5 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Continued into: Marengo, Al (BMX)
Property damage: $40,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.030, -88.246

A large tree was blown over onto a manufactured home with 3 persons trapped inside for several minutes approximately 4 miles north-northwest of the community of Ararat. Several trees were blown over or snapped along the tornado path.

Tornado, Washington

When: April 15, 11:04 AM CST to 11:06 AM CST
Where: Washington County, 1.46 mi N of Yarbo to 2.09 mi NNE of Yarbo
Rating: EF2
Path length: 0.9 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.551, -88.282

The tornado touched down near Highway 17, moving east and widening to 150 yards. East of Highway 17 the tornado lifted a single story wood frame home off of its concrete masonry unit pier foundation and rolled it about 100 yards. The home disintegrated as it was blown or rolled to the northeast. Trees were snapped, twisted and blown over in a 150 yard wide path to the east. One person inside the home was seriously injured with several broken ribs.

Hail, Washington

When: April 15, 11:05 AM CST
Where: Washington County, Millry
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.630, -88.320

Golfball size hail reported in the town of Millry.

Funnel Cloud, Clarke

When: April 15, 11:08 AM CST
Where: Clarke County, 1.15 mi NNE of Coffeeville
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.764, -88.089

Public reported funnel cloud near the intersection of Highway 69 and County Road 31.

Funnel Cloud, Monroe

When: April 15, 11:20 AM CST
Where: Monroe County, 3 mi NNW of Fountain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.620, -87.439

Trained SkyWarn spotter reported funnel cloud.

Funnel Cloud, Monroe

When: April 15, 11:28 AM CST
Where: Monroe County, 1 mi SW of Keith
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.640, -87.582

SkyWarn spotter looking southwest reported a clear cone shaped funnel in the direction of the Keith community.

Funnel Cloud, Monroe

When: April 15, 11:42 AM CST
Where: Monroe County, 1 mi NNW of Beatrice
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.743, -87.227

SkyWarn storm spotter reports funnel cloud approximately 1 mile north-northwest of Beatrice community.

Funnel Cloud, Clarke

When: April 15, 12:10 PM CST
Where: Clarke County, 1 mi NW of Grove Hill
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.710, -87.792

Spotter reports funnel cloud northwest of Grove Hill moving towards Thomasville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clarke

When: April 15, 1:05 PM CST
Where: Clarke County, 0.76 mi WSW of Jackson
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.515, -87.892

A large tree wasl blown down onto a house by severe thunderstorms winds near 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Monroe

When: April 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where: Monroe County, Monroeville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $35,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.520, -87.330

A large tree was blown down by severe thunderstorm winds near 60 mph. The falling tree caused damage to a house as well as extensive damage to a pickup truck.

Tornado, Monroe

When: April 15, 2:06 PM CST to 2:08 PM CST
Where: Monroe County, 2.99 mi S of Beatrice to 2.71 mi SSE of Beatrice
Rating: EF1
Path length: 0.76 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.687, -87.216

Tornado snapped, uprooted or twisted off several hardwood and softwood trees along the path.

Hail, Monroe

When: April 15, 2:06 PM CST
Where: Monroe County, 0.69 mi N of Buena Vista
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.790, -87.250

Penny size hail and strong winds estimated around 45 MPH reported.

Hail, Monroe

When: April 15, 2:16 PM CST
Where: Monroe County, 0.69 mi N of Buena Vista
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.790, -87.250

Penny size hail and strong winds estimated around 45 MPH reported.

Hail, Butler

When: April 15, 2:45 PM CST
Where: Butler County, 0.91 mi SW of Forest Home
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.860, -86.840

Nickel size hail reported by EMA official.

Tornado, Choctaw

When: April 15, 3:15 PM CST to 3:52 PM CST
Where: Choctaw County, 2.48 mi NNW of Hinton to 2.18 mi NW of Robjohn
Rating: EF1
Path length: 19.46 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Property damage: $150,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.113, -88.446

Tornado crossed from Clarke County, Mississippi and continued northeast crossing near Lisman. The tornado continued northeast crossing Highway 17 just north of Jachin before lifting. Several trees and power lines were snapped off or blown over by the tornado along the path. Major structural damage to a home was reported by Emergency Management in Lisman.

Hail, Choctaw

When: April 15, 3:38 PM CST
Where: Choctaw County, 3 mi SSW of Chapel Hill
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Property damage: $300,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.190, -88.220

Baseball size hail caused significant damage to automobiles and various other properties. Several cars had windshields knocked out.

Hail, Choctaw

When: April 15, 3:55 PM CST
Where: Choctaw County, 2.27 mi S of Naheola
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Property damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.237, -88.018

Baseball size hail caused damage to the Georgia Pacific Paper Plant northeast of Pennington. Numerous automobiles around the facility suffered significant damage with numerous windshields and sunroofs knocked out.

Tornado, Monroe

When: April 15, 4:11 PM CST to 4:13 PM CST
Where: Monroe County, 0.63 mi SW of Tunnell Spgs to 0.35 mi N of Tunnell Spgs
Rating: EF2
Path length: 0.86 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Property damage: $200,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.624, -87.258

Tornado touched down just east of County Road 47 south of Robinson Creek Road snapping several hardwood trees, then continued north northeast to near the Amity Missionary Baptist Church on Robinson Creek Road. The tornado completely removed the roof from the church and significantly damaged several exterior walls.

Tornado, Monroe

When: April 15, 4:29 PM CST to 4:49 PM CST
Where: Monroe County, 2.06 mi E of Turnbull to 10.31 mi NE of Midway
Rating: EF2
Path length: 12.52 mi
Path width: 300 yd
Continued into: Butler, Al (MOB)
Property damage: $300,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.720, -87.095

The tornado touched down near Riley's Crossroads and continued northeast crossing Owens Road just east of Old Texas. On Owens Road the tornado destroyed the Bethlehem Methodist Church. The tornado continued east across Emanual Church road snapping trees in a 300 yard wide path and doing significant roof damage to at least 1 home. The tornado continued northeast into Butler County Alabama.

Tornado, Butler

When: April 15, 4:49 PM CST to 5:07 PM CST
Where: Butler County, 2.21 mi W of Butler Spgs to 3.41 mi NE of Forest Home
Rating: EF1
Path length: 9.75 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $90,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.805, -86.907

Roof blown off of a mobile home and a tree was blown over onto a house. Several homes sustained damage to shingles. Numerous trees blown over along the tornado path.

Tornado, Choctaw

When: April 15, 5:12 PM CST to 5:36 PM CST
Where: Choctaw County, 1.52 mi S of Land to 3.3 mi SE of Lavaca
Rating: EF2
Path length: 17.73 mi
Path width: 600 yd
Continued into: Marengo, Al (BMX)
Property damage: $5.3 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.008, -88.331

Tornado touched down just west of Highway 17 near the Red Springs area, and quickly intensified as it moved southeast of Butler towards the Tombigbee River. National Weather Service ground and aerial surveys shows a 600 yard wide path of trees snapped just above the ground or uprooted, with several homes either damaged or destroyed along the path across the Ararat Road, Dansby Road, and County Road 43. Several homes either had large sections of their roof removed with several mobile homes damaged or completely destroyed. The tornado continued east across the Tombigbee River into Marengo County Alabama. The Alabama Forestry Commission estimates timber losses along this tornado track to be near 4.3 million dollars. Property damages to homes are estimated to be near 1 million dollars.

Tornado, Washington

When: April 15, 7:05 PM CST to 7:15 PM CST
Where: Washington County, 6.31 mi SSW of Escatawpa to 1.2 mi W of Deer Park
Rating: EF3
Path length: 5.93 mi
Path width: 400 yd
Deaths: 3 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 3 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $2.0 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.194, -88.437

Tornado moved into southwest Washington county from the Leakesville area of Greene County Mississippi. The tornado tracked near County Road 8 where several mobile homes were damaged or destroyed. Three fatalities and three injuries occurred in a destroyed mobile home in Deer Park on Box Road. The tornado lifted just prior to reaching Highway 45. Extensive tree damage nearly 400 yards wide was noted in several areas along the path.

Tornado, Clarke

When: April 15, 8:20 PM CST to 8:22 PM CST
Where: Clarke County, 2.28 mi NNE of Gainestown to 2.53 mi NNE of Gainestown
Rating: EF2
Path length: 0.35 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Property damage: $145,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.480, -87.684

The tornado touched down taking a large section of roof off of a wood frame single story home near the center of circulation, pulling a single-wide mobile home off of its foundation on the north side of the circulation, and lifting off the roof of a nearby double-wide mobile home on the south side of the circulation. The tornado circulation quickly widened to 200 yards and strengthened, rolling another single-wide mobile home 60 yards then causing it to disintegrate as it hit a large tree. The mobile home's bent undercarriage was left about 60 yards to the left of the tornado path. The tornado continued to the east and quickly lifted in a pine forest.

Hail, Monroe

When: April 15, 8:55 PM CST
Where: Monroe County, 1.36 mi ESE of Finchberry
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.640, -87.510

Dime size hail reported on County Road 17.

Tornado, Mobile

When: April 15, 9:05 PM CST to 9:09 PM CST
Where: Mobile County, 1.75 mi NW of Citronelle to 1.18 mi N of Citronelle
Rating: EF0
Path length: 1.24 mi
Path width: 80 yd
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.096, -88.253

Brief tornado touchdown in the city of Citronelle. Roofs were damaged on a few single-wide manufactured homes with minor roof damage to a few single-family wood frame homes. Some trees were twisted off near the tops. A section of metal roofing was removed from one unit of the Wahoo Apartments on South Center Street.

Tornado, Monroe

When: April 15, 9:26 PM CST to 9:31 PM CST
Where: Monroe County, 1.54 mi WSW of Turnbull to 1.7 mi NE of Turnbull
Rating: EF2
Path length: 3.23 mi
Path width: 400 yd
Property damage: $400,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.708, -87.152

Tornado snapped or uprooted trees along a 400 yard wide path then produced significant damage to 3 homes and 1 church in the Riley's Crossroads area. One home had 2 exterior walls collapsed, another had a large section of the roof removed. The tornado significantly damaged the roof of the Savannah Missionary Baptist Church removing large sections of the sheathing and removing the steeple.

Tornado, Butler

When: April 15, 10:15 PM CST to 10:20 PM CST
Where: Butler County, 5.71 mi WNW of Greenville Muni Arpt to 2.84 mi WSW of Searcy
Rating: EF2
Path length: 3.32 mi
Path width: 400 yd
Property damage: $150,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.877, -86.712

The tornado touched down at the intersection of Ridge Road and Sherling Lake Road northwest of Greenville, and continued east along Sherling Lake Road strengthening to EF-2 intensity as it passed over the eastern-most sections of the Cambrian Ridge Golf Course. The tornado then crossed the Sherling Lake RV Park snapping numerous pine trees in a 300 to 400 yard wide path. The tornado crossed Highway 263 then lifted west of Highway 185.

Tornado, Escambia

When: April 15, 10:38 PM CST to 10:53 PM CST
Where: Escambia County, 1.79 mi ENE of Wallace to 4.98 mi N of Kirkland
Rating: EF1
Path length: 10.23 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.210, -87.202

Several trees down in the Appleton area where tornado path began. Near Highway 31 approximately 9 miles north of Brewton, the tornado had strengthened, where it destroyed one round top (quonset type) metal building, destroyed one small outbuilding, and produced shingle damage to one home on the south side of the tornado circulation.

Tornado, Escambia

When: April 15, 11:08 PM CST to 11:16 PM CST
Where: Escambia County, 3.85 mi NNE of Boykin to 5.37 mi NNW of Dixie
Rating: EF2
Path length: 5.82 mi
Path width: 300 yd
Continued into: Conecuh, Al (MOB)
Property damage: $2.6 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.203, -86.860

Tornado touched down approximately one half mile west of Damascus Road and quickly widened to near 300 yards and strengthened to EF-2 intensity. Near and along Damascus Road the tornado destroyed one wood frame home, and severely damaged or affected several other brick homes and adjacent manufactured homes. The tornado rolled one single-wide manufactured home onto its roof trapping the occupants inside for several minutes. Several minor injuries were reported. The tornado continued east crossing Eddie Jackson Road, Hoomesville Road, and Brooklyn Road where trees were snapped or uprooted along a 200 yard wide path. The tornado continued moving east into Conecuh County. Alabama Forestry Commission estimated the timber losses along this tornado track to be near 2.1 million dollars. Property damage to homes was estimated to be near 500,000 dollars.

Tornado, Conecuh

When: April 15, 11:16 PM CST to 11:22 PM CST
Where: Conecuh County, 3.45 mi SSE of Brooklyn to 5.19 mi ESE of Brooklyn
Rating: EF1
Path length: 3.86 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Continued into: Covington, Al (MOB)
Property damage: $615,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.222, -86.764

The tornado continued east from the Damascus area of eastern Escambia County, Alabama, snapping or uprooting numerous hardwood and softwood trees along a 150 yard wide path. Alabama Forestry Commission estimates timber losses to be near 615,000 dollars.

Tornado, Covington

When: April 15, 11:22 PM CST to 11:42 PM CST
Where: Covington County, 4.87 mi W of Beck to 1.39 mi S of Andalusia
Rating: EF1
Path length: 13.27 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Property damage: $1.5 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.237, -86.701

The tornado continued east from extreme southeastern Conecuh County, Alabama. The tornado snapped or uprooted trees along a 150 yard wide path, producing damage to several homes, outbuildings and structures adjacent to Brooklyn Road. Several homes had significant roof damage with some having trees blown over onto them. The tornado crossed U.S. Highway 29 at County Road 56 then lifted as it moved across the Covington County Arena area producing roof damage to the Kiwanis Building.

Hail, Covington

When: April 15, 11:48 PM CST
Where: Covington County, 0.69 mi N of Andalusia
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 31.310, -86.480

Quarter size hail reported on Lindsey Bridge Road in Andalusia.

Hail, Covington

When: April 16, 12:20 AM CST
Where: Covington County, 2.16 mi NNE of Estothel
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 31.280, -86.190

Nickel size hail reported 4 miles east of Opp by SkyWarn amateur radio operator.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Tornado, Washington	2011-04-15	38	Female	Mobile/Trailer Home	Direct
Tornado, Washington	2011-04-15	10	Male	Mobile/Trailer Home	Direct
Tornado, Washington	2011-04-15	13	Male	Mobile/Trailer Home	Direct

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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.
Funnel Cloud: A rotating column of cloud extending from a thunderstorm that did not reach the ground.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Alabama in 2011 Every state in 2011 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Alabama, 2011 Warnings in Alabama, April 2011

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: 297761, 297453, 297445, 297467, 297839, 297473, 297476, 297765, 318235, 318239, 318241, 318242, 318245, 318247, 318249, 297477, 297849, 297850, 297851, 297658, 297759, 297754, 297660, 297656, 297745, 297829, 296786, 297471, 297852, 297766, 297833, 297830, 297772, 297797, 297805, 297807, 297853, 297854.