Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Alabama, May 20 to 21, 2025

The Lauderdale County Emergency Management Agency provided Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) imagery of the tornado damage path. This imagery, along with video footage of the tornado moving off the Tennessee River, was analyzed to determine the path of this tornado. The tornado developed over the Tennessee River, east of Pickwick Lake. It then moved onshore southwest of the County Road 14 and County Road 75 intersection, where initial tree damage was observed. As the tornado approached and subsequently crossed County Road 14, a farm outbuilding sustained roof damage. The tornado continued on a northeast trajectory towards the Wright community, causing additional uprooted trees. It is believed the tornado likely lifted west of County Road 133.

A tree and power lines were knocked down into the roadway with complete blockage along Lockhart Road.

A tree was reported down at mile marker 322 on the Natchez Trace Parkway (just NE of Fossick Lane). Time was estimated from radar.

The American Red Cross reported golf ball sized hail in Cherokee.

A tree was knocked down at 1165 Lair Lane.

A tree was reported down at 40 Lightfoot Drive. Time was estimated from radar data.

A tree was reported down at 8610 Old Lee highway. Time was estimated from radar data.

A tree was reported down at the intersection of Old Lee Highway and Barnes lane. Time was estimated from radar data.

A tree was reported down near 510 Mulberry Lane. Time was estimated from radar data.

A tree was reported down on a power line near 6410 Old Lee highway. Time was estimated from radar data.

A tree was knocked down onto a house at 407 Annapolis Avenue.

A tree was reported down near 503 River Bluff Drive. Time was estimated from radar data.

A power pole was reported leaning or blown down near 501 W 20th Avenue. Time was estimated from radar data.

A tree was reported down near 1416 Alabama Avenue. Time was estimated from radar data.

A tree was reported down at 3107 NE 19th Avenue. Time was estimated from radar data.

A tree was reported down near the intersection of N Columbia Avenue and 5th Street. Time was estimated from radar data.

A tree was reported down at 2706 NE 14th Avenue. Time was estimated from radar data.

A tree was reported down near 701 N Atlanta Avenue. Time was estimated from radar data.

A pole was reported lean or knocked down near 402 E 7th Street. Time was estimated from radar data.

A tree was knocked down at 3104 NE 19th Avenue.

A tree was reported down near 3502 18th Ct. Time was estimated from radar data.

A power pole was leaning or down at 2216 Missouri Street. Time was estimated from radar data.

A tree was reported down near the intersection of 19th Avenue and 31st Street. Time was estimated from radar data.

A tree was knocked down on power lines at 1405 York Street.

A tree was reported down at 1617 Southern Blvd. Time was estimated from radar data.

A tree was reported down near 700 Broadway Street. Time was estimated from radar data.

A tree was reported down near 540 Mt. Pleasant Drive. Time was estimated from radar data.

A tree was reported down near 1601 Southern Blvd. Time was estimated from radar data.

A tree was knocked down at 1611 Tennessee Street.

A tree was reported down at the intersection of Ashe Blvd and Box Street. Time was estimated from radar data.

A tree was reported down near 295 Sycamore Drive. Time was estimated from radar data.

A tree was reported down at 1245 Bainbridge road. Time was estimated from radar data.

A tree was reported down at 3175 Mr. Mills Road. Time was estimated from radar data.

The tornado touched down near Ford City where initial tree limbs snapped then rapidly began uprooting numerous trees north of River Road. Several trees were uprooted on River Road. One of these trees fell on a home and the drywall fell and scratched a child, resulting in one injury. North of River Road, several trees were found uprooted along with two collapsed silos along Sprout Spring Hollow Road. These silos had been in place since the 1930s and were completely destroyed, marking the maximum intensity of 105 mph. The tornado then tracked east-southeast toward Foster Mills and Red Bank, uprooting numerous trees along its path and snapping large limbs. The tornado then proceeded to cross the Tennessee River - Wheeler Lake into Lauderdale County.

Quarter sized hail was reported at Florence High School.

Hail up to 3/4 inch in diameter was reported via mPING.

A tree fell onto a vehicle at the intersection of Wilson Dam Road and Thunder Road. The female occupant was seriously injured and hospitalized. Time estimated by radar.

A tree and some power lines were reported down near 14070 County Line Road. Time was estimated from radar data.

A social media report indicated 1.5 inch diameter hail on Helton Drive in Florence.

A tree was blown down near 1690 Spout Springs Drive. Time was estimated from radar data.

A power pole was leaning or down at 2130 Hatton School Road. Time was estimated from radar data.

A tree was reported down near 10855 2nd Street. Time was estimated from radar data.

Trees and powerlines were reported down at 405 Wallace Mill Road. Time was estimated from radar.

A tree was reported down near Bethel Church and 2nd Street blocking the roadway. Time was estimated from radar data.

A tree was reported down near the intersection of 2nd Street and Heleena Drive. Time was estimated from radar data.

A tree was reported down near 14145 2nd Street. Time was estimated from radar data.

A tree was reported down at 13155 2nd Street. Time was estimated from radar data.

Baseball sized hail was reported in the Red Bank area south of Wheeler Dam.

Baseball sized hail was reported in Freeman Acres.

A tree was knocked down on a camper at the Big Nance Trailer Park on Highway 101.

A social media photo indicated that 3 inch diameter hail fell north of Town Creek.

Hail with a diameter up to 3.75 inches was measured at the Joe Wheeler State Park Golf Course. Time estimated by radar.

Hail with a diameter up to 1 inch was reported via mPING.

The tornado crossed the Tennessee River - Wheeler Lake into Lauderdale County south of Rogersville where drone imagery indicating a narrow path of snapped and uprooted trees. The tornado then crossed the Elk River into Limestone County.

Power poles and trees were knocked down on CR 389. Time estimated by radar.

Golf ball sized hail was reported on U.S. Highway 72 at the Elk River.

A tornado crossed the Elk River into Limestone County, snapping large limbs and the tops of trees before dissipating along Snake Road and Little Elk Road.

Hail with a diameter of up to 3/4 inch was reported via mPING.

A waterspout developed over Wheeler Reservoir south of the Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant. The waterspout moved east-northeast|towards Round Island Creek Public Use Area crossing from Lawrence into Limestone County. At least two citizen videos from the Black Landing area confirmed the waterspout and its movement and were posted on social media.

A waterspout developed over Wheeler Reservoir south of the Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant. The waterspout moved east-northeast|towards Round Island Creek Public Use Area crossing from Lawrence into Limestone County. At least two citizen videos from the Black Landing area confirmed the waterspout and its movement and were posted on social media.

A tree was knocked down at U.S. Highway 72 at Glaze Road. Time estimated by radar.

Drone imagery indicated a brief tornado touched down along Dement Road where a tree was knocked down. The tornado continued east moving over mainly wooded areas. Drone imagery showed multiple trees and large branches down continuing east from Dement Road, parallel to U.S. Highway 72. After moving across a property north of U.S. Highway 72, the tornado lifted just before Cox Road.

The tornado was initially observed and filmed by multiple storm chasers west of Interstate 65 near Tanner. As it crossed Interstate 65, numerous trees were uprooted or snapped. The tornado tracked eastward, passing south of Huntsville-Brownsferry Road and moving towards Greenbrier Parkway. Along Greenbrier Parkway, multiple trees were uprooted, and several structures sustained minor roof damage. Sporadic tree damage continued east of Greenbrier Parkway toward Powell Road and Burgreen Road. Before crossing County Line Road, minor roof damage occurred to several single-family homes and and several trees were knocked down onto some residences. One home located just west of County Line Road experienced significant damage to its west-facing facade.

The tornado began south of Highway 72, between York Lane and Lucas Ferry Road. Significant impacts were observed near the intersection of Lucas Ferry Road and Sanderfer Road, where numerous wooden power poles were snapped, and cross members were broken. Uprooted trees and additional snapped power poles were |documented along Sanderfer Road. The tornado tracked in an east-northeast direction, continuing through the Jefferson Road and Highway 72 vicinity before dissipating.

A tree was knocked down on a house behind the Staples in Athens. Time estimated by radar.

Hail with a diameter up to 3/4 inch was reported via mPING.

Golf ball sized hail was reported near Tanner. Time estimated by radar.

A tornado crossed from Limestone into Madison County just south of Browns Ferry Road. Further tree damage, predominantly uproots, was observed between County Line Road and Wall Triana Highway, with several instances of trees falling on homes. The tornado reached its maximum intensity as it approached Hughes Road, specifically near Downing Ridge and Millsford Road. In this area, two single-family homes suffered major roof damage, with most or all of the roofing material removed. Numerous trees were also uprooted at this location. Continuing eastward, the tornado crossed Hughes Road in the Dublin Circle area. Sporadic tree damage was noted north of Eastview Drive through Kensington Drive and Foothill Court. The tornado dissipated before reaching Slaughter Road.

Hail with a diamter up to 1.25 inches was reported via mPING.

Quarter sized hail was reported at the intersection of Shelton Road and Madison Boulevard.

A tree was knocked down through a house near Wedgewood Terrace Road and Nick Davis. Time estimated by radar.

A tree was knocked down onto a house on Glenmore Drive.

Hail with a diameter of 1.75 inches was reported via mPING.

Hail with a diameter of 0.75 inches was reported via mPING.

Hail with a diameter of 0.75 inch was reported via mPING.

Quarter sized hail was reported on Sullivan Street.

Hail with a diameter of 1 inch was reported via mPING.

Hail with a diameter of 1 inch was reported via mPING.

Half dollar sized hail was reported at the Lowes on U.S. Highway 72.

A tornado began by snapping several hardwood and softwood trees on the eastern side of Blossomwood in Huntsville, at the base of Monte Sano Mountain. Trees were downed and witness statements confirmed the tornado touchdown near the intersection of Randolph Avenue and Toll Gate Road. Further east, more widespread tree damage was noted on satellite imagery up the mountain at the end of Cleermont Drive near the Wildflower Hiking Trail. NVDI satellite imagery here shows that the tornado was|about 400 yards wide at its widest point crossing overtop Monte Sano, snapping and uprooting large swaths of trees in Monte Sano State Park. The tornado traversed the leeward side of the mountain and continued producing tree damage in Moontown, south of the Moontown Airport along Moontown and Bob Hunt Roads, just west of the Flint River. After crossing the Flint River south of U.S. Highway 72, the tornado began to weaken as it approached Madison County High School, downing several power poles to the east of the school on Brock Road. The tornado produced minor tree damage and minor damage to a barn in fields in the 1000-block of Salty Bottom Road before dissipating.

Just south of the tornado track that traversed Monte Sano Mountain, numerous trees were downed along Monte Sano Boulevard, Panorama Drive, Wildwood Drive, and Hutchens Avenue, including several falling onto houses. These winds are suspected to be associated with either inflow or the rear flank downdraft (RFD) of this tornadic supercell.|Wind speeds in these locations were estimated to range from 80 to 94 mph.

Hail with a diameter of 1 inch was reported via mPING.

The tornado started near Rocky Ford Road and continued east toward U.S. Highway 31. Several large branches were found down along with trees uprooted along Van Bridge Road. A tree was found snapped at the trunk along Vaughn Bridge Road where the tornado reached its maximum intensity of EF-1 with a wind speed of 105 MPH. Northeast of|Vaughn Bridge Road the tornado reached its maximum width where several large branches were found. The tornado continued east crossing U.S. Highway 31 and then took a northeast turn with several large branches down along Indian Hills Road. The track continued northeast crossing Interstate 65 and ventured into Priceville. Several large branches were again found on various streets north of Point Mallard Parkway SE before the tornado dissipated along Cove Springs Road.

Hail with a diameter of 0.75 inch was reported via mPING.

Hail with a diameter of 0.75 inch was reported via mPING.

Ping pong sized hail was reported at Huntsville High School. Time estimated by radar.

Egg sized hail was reported near the intersection of Bob Wallace and Memorial Parkway.

Hail with a diameter of 1 inch was reported via mPING.

Golf ball sized hail was reported along Drake Road in southeast Huntsville.

Baseball sized hail was reported near Southwood Church along Carl T. Jones Drive.

Hail with a diameter of 2 inches was reported via mPING.

Hail with a diameter of 1.75 inches was reported via mPING.

Hail with a diameter of 1.25 inches was reported via mPING.

The tornado touched down on Acuff Road, downing a large swath of hardwood trees just east of Boulder Trail. A barn sustained roof damage here as|well, with some uplifting of the roof and peeling back of a few pieces of tin. From here, the tornado snapped and uprooted numerous hardwood trees as it moved across the field toward structures on Killingworth Cove Road. Here, the tornado had its strongest winds of 134 mph with a width of 400 yards. A mobile home was completely destroyed at this location, hurling the mangled frame 150-200 yards from its original location. Debris from the destroyed mobile home was strewn about 225-250 yards across the street and into the field leading to JB Hawkins Road. Two other structures at this location sustained damage. The home next door had significant roof damage, as well as projectiles that penetrated the side of the home in two locations. On the other side of the path on the corner of Killingsworth Cove Road and JB Hawkins Road, another home sustained major structural damage. Only portions of walls were left standing of the home, but survey teams discovered that no anchor bolts were used to attach the home to the foundation. All portions of the bases of walls that were investigated were toe nailed down, owing to the damage sustained at this location. From this location, the tornado climbed the elevation behind the homes on JB Hawkins, snapping and uprooting large swaths of hardwood trees before moving into Jackson County.

A power line was knocked down in Hodges. Time estimated by radar.

NVDI difference imagery indicated a tornado crossed the county line from Madison into Jackson County for nearly 5 miles, snapping and uprooting large swaths of hardwood trees before dissipating.

Hail with a diameter of 1 inch was reported via mPING.

Quarter sized hail was reported in Triana. Time estimated by radar.

Hail with a diameter of 1.25 inches was reported via mPING.

Numerous trees were knocked down at the intersection of Highway 65 and CR 10. Time estimated by radar.

The tornado touched down just southeast of Highway 65 in Trenton, producing large limb damage on County Road (CR) 20. The tornado continued and strengthened along CR 20, producing sporadic hardwood and softwood tree damage just north of Little Nashville. Trees were snapped and uprooted along the path, with several broken power poles observed about 2 to 2.5 miles along CR 20. Tree damage and power pole damage here indicated the highest wind speed of 110 mph. Further northeast along the path, the tornado widened near an old community center near Guess Creek, maintaining the 110 mph wind speeds here. Several projectiles were impaled into the ground at this location, some of which were 2-3 feet into the ground. Large swaths of hardwood and softwood trees were also|downed here, with a width estimated at 275 yards. Minor roof damage was also noted, as well as an older outbuilding with the roof removed at this location. The tornado produced additional tree damage at a cemetery at the end of CR 20 before traversing more terrain, producing additional damage at a farm downstream on CR 17. Sporadic tree damage was found along CR 17 on Sleepy Lane, Wilkins Drive, and Pace Drive before crossing Highway 79. Beyond Highway 79, the tornado snapped and uprooted a few more isolated trees south of Maynard Cove before dissipating by CR 28. AL State EMA (ALEA) flight imagery and NVDI Difference Satellite imagery assisted the confirmation of trees downed in hard-to-access locations.

Hail with a diameter of 1.25 inches was reported via mPING.

Hail with a diameter of 1.5 inches was reported via mPING.

Golf ball sized hail was reported in Owens Crossroads.

Multiple trees were knocked down blocking both lanes of CR 5.

A tree was knocked down blocking the roadway.

Multiple trees were knocked down along Highway 71 in Flat Rock. Time estimated by radar.

A tree was knocked down and blocking the roadway in front of Falkville Health Care.

A tree was knocked down and blocking the roadway.

Power lines were knocked down resulting in a woods fire.

A tree was knocked down onto a home. Time estimated by radar.

A tree was knocked down blocking the roadway.

A tree was knocked down blocking the roadway.

A tornado touched down east of the Morgan County-Marshall County line, on the northern portion of the Cherokee Ridge Golf Course. Multiple uprooted hardwood trees were |observed on several holes in this area. The tornado then progressed eastward, crossing U.S. Highway 431 and uprooting numerous trees along Allens Cross Road. Similar tree damage was documented further to the northeast along Quarry Road. The survey indicates the tornado dissipated before reaching the community of Union Grove.

A tree was knocked down and blocking the roadway. Time estimated by radar.

A tree and power lines were knocked down.

A tree was knocked down blocking the roadway.

The tornado initiated its path near the Highway 71 and Highway 35 intersection, close to the Section baseball fields. Throughout its duration, the primary damage indicators included downed small and large tree branches. The tornado continued on an eastward trajectory, passing near CR 395 and subsequently crossing CR 372 before dissipating just west of the CR 123 and CR 47 intersection.

Hail with a diameter of 1.25 inches was reported via mPING.

Trees and power lines were knocked down on Feemster Gap Road.

A tree was knocked down on Brock Chapel Road.

Trees were knocked down along CR 67. Time estimated by radar.

CR 51 has flooding over the roadway in several locations. Depth of water estimated at 6 to 8 inches.

CR 8 and Hwy 35 covered in water. Depth estimated to be 6 to 8 inches.

Lightning struck the Albertville Public Library building sparking a fire causing significant roof damage resulting in severe water damage to the structure and inventory of books and furniture. As a result, the building is scheduled to be demolished.

A tornado began just east of Graves Street in the Crossville area, where a large tree was uprooted and a large branch (8 to 12 inches in diameter) was broken off of a tree 20 yards away. Additionally, a small porch on a nearby residence was damaged and lost most of its roofing. The tornado continued east just south|and paralleling Highway 68, uprooting sporadic trees and breaking off large tree branches along its way. More substantial roof damage occurred at a building associated with the Sand Mountain Research Extension Center off of County Road (CR) 190. The tornado intensified at this location to EF-1 intensity, collapsing the entire roof of the structure. Maximum peak winds of 93 mph occurred at this location. Here, the tornado continued on a eastward path and uprooted one very large tree and snapped another one from its base. The tornado seemed to widen a bit more as it pushed east, but weakened again to EF-0 intensity as it crossed CR 37. At this location, the tornado picked up a covering structure for hay and tossed it across a field. On the south end of the field, a small portion of one side of a barn was torn apart. The tornado then moved a bit more to the east-northeast paralleling Highway 68 as its path width decreased significantly|to less than 300 yards. The tornado continued its path uprooting trees or snapping off large branches of trees before dissipating just east of CR 84.

A tornado tracked about 1/3 of a mile just east of County Road (CR) 83. At this location, one large tree was uprooted and a 3 to 5 inch branch was broken off of a tree 10 yards away. The tornado quickly moved northeast and strengthened to EF-1 intensity as it approached Highway 176. Near one residence, three healthy and large pine trees were partially uprooted and another was broken off in a different direction and fell onto a mobile home nearby. At this location, the snapped tree heavily damaged the roof of the residence and destroyed a carport. Just one house further northeast, a camper trailer (weighing approximately 5000 lb) was lifted off its foundation and dragged 15 yards, before being flipped on its side. Peak winds of 100 mph were reached at this location. Additional minor tree limbs were seen snapped in the distance.