EF4 tornado, Hodge to Long Is, Alabama, April 27, 2011

1. EF065 to 85 mph

   Light damage. Surface peeled off some roofs, gutters and siding damaged, branches broken, shallow-rooted trees pushed over.

2. EF186 to 110 mph

   Moderate damage. Roofs badly stripped, mobile homes overturned or badly damaged, exterior doors lost, windows broken.

3. EF2111 to 135 mph

   Considerable damage. Roofs torn off well-built houses, frame homes shifted on their foundations, mobile homes destroyed, large trees snapped or uprooted, cars lifted off the ground.

4. EF3136 to 165 mph

   Severe damage. Whole stories of well-built houses destroyed, large buildings badly damaged, trains overturned, trees debarked, heavy cars lifted and thrown.

5. EF4166 to 200 mphthis tornado

   Devastating damage. Well-built houses leveled, structures with weak foundations moved some distance, cars thrown and large missiles generated.

6. EF5over 200 mph

   Incredible damage. Strong frame houses swept off their foundations, car-sized missiles thrown more than 100 meters, steel-reinforced concrete badly damaged, high-rise buildings deformed.

7. Unrated

   The survey recorded a tornado but could not put a number on it, most often because it crossed open country and damaged nothing a rating can be read from.

Rating

EF4

Date

April 27, 2011

Touchdown

4:01 PM CDT (21:01 UTC)

Lifted

4:57 PM CDT (21:57 UTC)

On the ground

56 minutes

Path length

47.0 miles (75.6 km)

Path width

1,260 yards (1152 m)

Deaths

14

Injuries

50

Property damage

$25 million

Counties

Jackson, DeKalb, Dade and Walker counties

Touchdown point

34.621, -85.981

Lift-off point

34.953, -85.267

Record number

1104271501-01

34 damage points were recorded along this path by NWS FFC and NWS HUN, in the Damage Assessment Toolkit the survey teams carry. The strongest indicator was rated EF5. The highest wind the damage implies is 185 mph.

• End point in Alabama of Lakeview to Rainsville to Cartersville EF-5 Tornado.
• Start point of Section-Flat Rock EF-4 Tornado.
• End point of Section-Flat Rock, GA EF-4 Tornado in Alabama.
• End point of Bridgeport EF-4 Tornado.

Survey points are preliminary and are the raw material the published rating was built from. Source: NWS Damage Assessment Toolkit.

A powerful storm system roared across the Southeast United States on Wednesday, April 27, 2011. In the wake of this system, hundreds of people were left injured and/or homeless, along with approximately 100 people who lost their lives in the northern Alabama area alone. Some of the devastation was literally unimaginable with countless homes, neighborhoods and even portions of cities or towns either partially or completely destroyed. This storm system would be responsible for one of the largest and deadliest tornado outbreaks to ever impact much of the southeastern region.| |The powerful storm system that affected the National Weather Service, Huntsville service area would actually occur in three separate waves of severe weather that day. The first occurred during the early morning hours of April 27, 2011 roughly between the hours of 2 AM and 8 AM CDT, while the second occurred during the late-morning to early afternoon period. The third and most devastating wave occurred during the afternoon hours on Wednesday, with some of the most violent and destructive tornadoes to affect the central Tennessee Valley area in recent decades.| |The worst areas impacted by these storms included the towns of Phil Campbell and Oak Grove in eastern Franklin County Alabama, Mt. Hope in western Lawrence County and the Tanner Community in eastern Limestone County. Along a line connecting these areas tracked an EF5 tornado with peak winds around 210 mph, the strongest and most violent on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. ||Other areas impacted by the storms include the city of Cullman, where extensive damage occurred to buildings in the downtown area, and to the town of Fairview, both of which are located in Cullman County. Downstream, further significant damage occurred to the Ruth and Oak Grove communities in Marshall County. In addition, the communities of Rainsville and Sylvania along with the towns of Henagar and Ider in DeKalb County were severely impacted. Fatalities in DeKalb County alone numbered at least 33 people. Furthermore, the towns of Flat Rock, Higdon and Pisgah in Jackson County sustained incredible damage. The tornadoes that affected these areas were rated as an EF4 with maximum winds near 190 mph.||In most of these areas alone, numerous people lost their lives. These represent just several of the communities and towns impacted by the events of April 27, 2011. While the majority of the analysis and survey work conducted by the National Weather Service, Huntsville and its partners have been completed, there will undoubtedly be countless research studies conducted by both academia and operational personnel in order to further evaluate and understand the complex processes associated with this near unprecedented severe weather outbreak.

A highly diffluent, deep upper trough, centered across Texas, took on a negative tilt and began to rotate northeast during this period. A strong maritime-Pacific (mP) cold front accompanied the upper trough through the mid-south into the southeast from the early morning hours of the 27th to the early morning hours of the 28th. An intense low-level jet with winds in excess of 70 knots was noted in advance of this system and tracked across the mid-south early on the 27th, across north Alabama and north Georgia into the early morning hours of the 28th. West-southwest winds aloft were highly diffluent and near 200 mph across this same region. The strong low-level jet brought unseasonably, warm, moist Gulf air northward in advance of the mP cold front. Dewpoints in the 70s and maximum temperatures in the 80s combined with the extremely strong low-level and upper jets to create an almost perfect environment for severe thunderstorms and large devastating tornadoes. Indeed, the tornado outbreak that affected much of the eastern U.S., but particularly the south central and southeastern U.S. during this period, was unprecedented and likely the largest recorded in U.S. history. The tornado outbreak that accompanied this combination of weather features has been termed the 2011 Super Outbreak, an outbreak even worse than the 1994 and 1974 super tornado outbreaks across the eastern U.S. The outbreak affected the South Central, Southeast, Midwest, and even the usually less tornado prone Northeastern United States. Over 330 tornadoes were reported during this outbreak which began on April 25th and continued into the 28th affecting 21 states from Texas to New York. Even isolated tornadoes were noted in Canada. Nearly 350 people died from these tornadoes, of which over 230 of these were in Alabama alone. Four tornadoes on April 27th in Alabama and Mississippi were ranked EF5, the highest tornado damage rating on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. On average, there is only one EF5 tornado per year in the entire U.S.||Widespread and destructive tornadoes occurred on each day of the outbreak, but April 27th was clearly one of the most prolific and destructive tornado days in U.S. history, probably only surpassed by the Tri-State outbreak of 1925 and the Tupelo-Gainesville outbreak of 1936. The 24-hour period from 8 am April 27th to 8 a.m. April 28th is listed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as the fourth deadliest tornado outbreak in U.S. history, with the 24 hours commencing April 28th at 8 a.m. as the fifth deadliest tornado day in U.S. history. It has also been determined to be the costliest tornado outbreaks and one of the costliest natural disasters in the U.S., even after adjustments for inflation, with total damages estimated to exceed $10 billion. ||Georgia was heavily impacted by this tornado outbreak, especially the northwest part of the state which bore the brunt of the massive supercell thunderstorms producing killer tornadoes that tracked east-northeast from northern Alabama during the late evening. All together, there were 15 tornadoes affecting 28 counties within the Peachtree City, Georgia 96-county warning area (CWA) of North and Central Georgia. All of these occurred within a 24-hour period commencing at 8 am April 27th. One of these tornadoes was rated an EF4, the first EF4 tornado in Georgia since the Palm Sunday outbreak in 1994. In addition, there were also four EF3 tornadoes. Fifteen tornado-related deaths were observed in north and central Georgia, the most tornado-related deaths within the Peachtree City, Georgia forecast area since its inception in 1994. The previous highest tornado-related death total was 12 on March 20, 1998, when a tornado struck Gainesville, Georgia.||Finally, it should be noted that while the most significant period of severe weather during this outbreak for Georgia was from the afternoon of the 27th through the early morning hours of the 28th, there was an initial round of severe weather across northwest Georgia early on the 27th as a decaying line of severe thunderstorms moved into the region from northeast Alabama. Widespread wind damage and even a few brief weaker tornadoes accompanied this system into the northwest counties of the state.

A violent long track tornado began it's life about 3 miles northeast of Section producing damage of EF-0 to EF-1 intensity with peak wind speeds of 70 to 90 mph, snapping or uprooting several softwood and hardwood trees. The tornado rapidly intensified and began producing high end EF-3 to low end EF-4 damage within a matter of minutes, with peak wind speeds of 150 to 170 mph, and a path width of 1/2 to 3/4 mile as it roared into areas northeast of Pisgah and north of Rosalie. Residents interviewed remarked that up to 3 tornadoes merged into one very large tornado. There was evidence of this in the damage swath.||The tornado swarmed several mobile homes and block foundation homes in its path, snapping or uprooting thousands of trees. Numerous trees were debarked in the process. The tornado leveled at least 2 mobile homes and swept their remains hundreds of yards downwind. Three were killed in 3 separate residences (6 total fatalities - 2 in Pisgah and 4 in the Higdon/Flat Rock communities). Several vehicles were launched or swept several yards in different directions, in a few cases up to 50 yards. The Friendship Church roof was heavily damaged. Several farms were also affected, with barns and chicken houses heavily damaged or destroyed.||As the tornado continued its path, it intensified further on approach to Flat Rock and Higdon, producing damage of high end EF-4 intensity with peak winds up to 190 mph. The tornado killed three from the same family at a residence southwest of Flat Rock. The tornado mowed thousands in up to a 3/4 mile wide path. One well-built block foundation home literally exploded as the tornado struck, lifting and sweeping all its structure and contents downwind, in some cases several hundred yards. Miraculously, a mother and 3 children taking refuge in a hallway were completely unharmed. At this farm, all fencing was destroyed and up to 19 cattle perished. Two chicken barns were completely obliterated and swept away and unidentifiable. A propane tank was lifted from the previous location of chicken barns and dropped over 100 yards away in front of the destroyed home.

A violent tornado continued its wide path of violent destruction across the northern tip of DeKalb County in the Shiloh community. The tornado killed 6 people in this area (12 total along its path across Jackson and DeKalb counties). Several cinder block foundation homes and mobile homes were completely destroyed or swept away. In addition, thousands of large trees were sheared off toward the base. An older two-story and fairly well-built log cabin home was destroyed. The top story of this home was lifted off, moved about 20 yards and twisted 180 degrees. The lower story collapsed and was shifted off its foundation. A senior citizen van was lofted and dropped into a field nearly 400 yards away. At least 3 chicken barns collapsed with a high loss of livestock noted. The tornado crossed into Dade County Georgia with a 1/4 to 1/2 mile wide path along County Road 155 north of Highway 75.

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City confirmed that an EF3 tornado, which originated in DeKalb county, Alabama, continued on an east-northeast track into and across central Dade county, Georgia and further east-northeast into Walker county before lifting just west of Fort Oglethorpe. The tornado path length within Dade county, Georgia was approximately 9.5 miles, while the path length within Georgia was 18 miles long. The tornado was determined, within Georgia, to have a maximum path width of 0.6 mile and maximum winds of 150 mph. The tornado tracked directly across the county seat of Dade county, namely Trenton. Trenton is also the largest city in Dade county. Portions of Trenton, especially the southern part of the city, were literally destroyed. Dozens of homes were completely destroyed. Eighteen more homes suffered major damage. Literally tens of thousands of trees were blown down, uprooted, or splintered. Some of the worst devastation was observed in the Black Valley Road area, including the Middleton Estates subdivision and along U.S. Highway 11 and Georgia Highway 136. Considerable damage was also noted to apartments and several commercial buildings as well. The Edgewood Townhouses and Village Green Apartments suffered extensive damage. Among commercial structures sustaining damages were the Moore and Ryan Funeral Home along with an Ingles Grocery Store. Two fatalities and 25 injuries occurred as a result of this tornado, mostly in Trenton.||[04/27-04/28/11: Tornado #2, County #1-2, EF2, Dade-Walker, 2011:011].

A violent tornado touched down northeast of Fackler along County Road 42 where several large trees were snapped and minor damage occurred to mobile homes. The tornado continued east-northeast producing tree damage as it crossed U.S. Highway 72 near the intersection of State Highway 117. On Oak Hill Road just east of Highway 72, large trees were snapped and several roofs were damaged. On County Road 286, a trailer was tipped over and a shed was partially destroyed.||The tornado continued northeast producing heavy tree damage. The tornado produced EF-3 damage along County Road 96 just northeast of the Stevenson Airport, where 24 high tension electrical truss towers were twisted and flattened. Just south of the intersection of County Road 96 and State Highway 277, a mobile home was obliterated and another home collapsed. Two other homes sustained structural damage along this section of road, two mobile homes were rolled on their side, and a metal barn was destroyed.||The tornado continued northeast and at the intersection of County Roads 255 and 256, the most significant damage was encountered and rated EF-4. A residence just to the south of this intersection was reduced to its foundation. A concrete slab at the front of the home was pulled up, and a set of concrete stairs was ripped from the foundation. A compact car was thrown about 50 yards.||To the northeast of the intersection, two well-built and well-anchored homes were also reduced to their foundations. A car was thrown approximately 50 yards across the street from one residence. Several large trees were snapped off a few feet above the ground. A third residence along County Road 256 had zero walls left standing. Across the street from this home, a mobile home was completely demolished and strewn along County Road 256.||The tornado continued northeastward, destroying a cinder block garage and damaging a mobile home along 6th Street just southeast of Bridgeport. The tornado crossed the Tennessee River, producing significant tree damage along County Road 91 before crossing into Marion County in Tennessee.

The deaths

15 direct deaths are recorded for this tornado, each with what Storm Data knows of it.

From NOAA NCEI's Storm Events Database, the narrative the local forecast office wrote for Storm Data.

36 minutes of warning. NWS HUN issued a tornado warning for this county at 20:25 UTC, 36 minutes before the tornado touched down, in force until 21:15 UTC.

The county was under a tornado watch, issued at 18:45 UTC and running to 02:33 UTC.

Every warning and watch covering the touchdown point that day, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service products. Lead time is measured from the issue of the warning in force to the touchdown time in the database, both of which were recorded to the minute by different people.

The Storm Prediction Center had this point in a High Risk, with a 0.30 chance of a tornado within 25 miles, in the hatched area where significant tornadoes were expected. The outlook in force was issued at 19:12 UTC.

SPC's Day 1 convective outlook as it stood when the tornado began, read at the touchdown point. The same archive is on the radar archive.

The radiosonde launches on either side of the tornado, from the nearest station that was launching then, drawn and analyzed the way Storm Lab does: the same diagram, the same parcel and shear definitions SPC's mesoanalysis uses.

The Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 45 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the touchdown began at 21:01 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment, over the track

Reflectivity and velocity, decoded from the Level II archive in the browser. Volumes take a few seconds to open the first time.

Local storm reports within 60 km of the path, in the three hours either side.

From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service local storm reports.

The live radar over the trackEvery 2011 tornado in AlabamaEvery tornado in Alabama since 1950Warnings in force in Alabama nowThe forecast where you are

209 more were confirmed in the United States that day.

All 210 of them

Ratings are the survey's, read off the damage rather than measured; the rating scale is above. Tornado counts rise through the record as reporting improved, so a year in the 1950s is not comparable with one today except for the strongest tornadoes, which were always noticed.

NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database, 1950-2025, the official record kept by NOAA's Storm Prediction Center.