EF1 tornado, Nixon Chapel to Kirbytown, 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 mphthis tornado

   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 mph

   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

EF1

Date

April 27, 2011

Touchdown

6:30 AM CDT (11:30 UTC)

Lifted

6:40 AM CDT (11:40 UTC)

On the ground

10 minutes

Path length

4.6 miles (7.4 km)

Path width

50 yards (46 m)

Deaths

0

Injuries

0

County

Marshall County

Touchdown point

34.249, -86.258

Lift-off point

34.311, -86.232

Record number

1104270530-02

10 damage points were recorded along this path by NWS BMX and NWS HUN, in the Damage Assessment Toolkit the survey teams carry. The strongest indicator was rated EF3. The highest wind the damage implies is 160 mph.

• .Area of trees snapped on hillside. Estimated point.
• .Many trees uprroted, those snapped were branches. Home damaged by fallen trees here.
• .Hardwoods snapped and uprooted in this area.
• .Snapped trees at top of hill

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 tornado of EF-1 intensity with peak wind speeds of 95 mph tracked northeast from Blount County near County Road (CR) 21 (Big Spring Brow Road). The tornado uprooted and snapped numerous large hardwood trees from the Blount/Marshall county line to near the intersection of Cox Gap Road and Highway 64. Just farther northeast, additional trees were uprooted along Fairview Drive and between Nixon Chapel Road and Panky Road where the tornado appeared to broaden/widen its circulation before lifting before Pleasant Grove Road.

As the tornado moved into Marshall county, its peak winds strengthened to around 110 mph, becoming an EF-1 intensity tornado. On Feemster Gap Road a mobile home was rolled over several times. The mobile home hit a tree and fell back on its side with the roof badly damaged and the frame bent. No injuries were sustained at this location, but residents that had been inside the mobile home took shelter in an underground storm shelter minutes before the tornado hit. Other mobile homes nearby only sustained minor damage to the roofs and flashing underneath. Northeast of this, another mobile home was blown several feet from its original location (as noted by the location of its remaining porch). Behind this mobile home, an unanchored outbuilding was rolled several times and numerous large trees were uprooted and snapped in the field behind the home.||As the tornado moved through the Johnsons Mill community, several barns were damaged, with one or two completely destroyed. A chicken house on Fry Gap Road was completely destroyed, as well, near the intersection of Fry Gap Road and Thompson Falls road. Further northeast, another chicken house sustained major damage but was not completely destroyed on Brazelton Road near Fry Gap Road.||Northeast of these locations, near the intersection of Warranton Road and Browns Valley Road, another chicken house was completely destroyed and numerous trees were splintered and snapped off near the base. The tornado was likely at its strongest at this location, with a width of 75 yards. Damage continued along the peninsula between Big Springs Creek and Browns Creek on Guntersville Lake. Trees were snapped and oriented in a convergent pattern along the peninsula as the tornado was weakening and eventually lifting near the intersection of Highway 431 and Highway 69.

A fast moving tornado of EF-1 intensity produced peak wind speeds of 95 mph. This tornado was associated with a broad yet well-defined mesoscale convective vortex. The tornado touched down along County Road 14 (Diamond Road), and Red Hill Road. Large hardwood trees were snapped and uprooted in a convergent pattern along County Road 14 (Diamond Road) as the tornado moved rapidly northeast. Significant roof damage occurred to several chicken houses along Red Hill Road just west of County Road 14. The tornado lifted just north of Brookline Ridge Road near the extreme south side of Lake Guntersville.

A tornado of EF-1 intensity produced peak wind speeds of up to 110 mph. The tornado touched down just south of Guntersville near the intersection of Pleasant Hill and Section Line Roads (State Highway 166). From there, the tornado moved northeast crossing Pleasant Grove Road, snapping and uprooting numerous hardwood and softwood trees. At the intersection of Pleasant Hill Church Road and Community House Road, the steeple of the Pleasant Hill Church was removed and thrown about 100 feet. The porch columns were also removed. A residence next to the church sustained damage when the wooden front porch was removed and thrown behind the house about 100 feet. Roof damage resulted from large branches being knocked down onto the house. In a field across Pleasant Hill Road, a wide swath of trees were snapped and uprooted.

A tornado of EF-1 intensity produced peak wind speeds up to 110 mph. The tornado touched down near the intersection of Section Line and Beck Roads in Lattiwood. The tornado then moved northeast along Oneonta Cutoff Road and eventually crossed State Highway 205. The tornado snapped numerous hardwood and softwood trees along the path and knocked trees on residences. Snapped power poles were found along the path. Additional tree damage occurred northeast of Highway 205 near the intersection of Brashers Chapel and Wyeth Mountain Roads. Here, several barns were completely destroyed and numerous outbuildings had most of the tin removed from the roof.

A tornado of EF-1 intensity produced peak wind speeds up to 110 mph. The tornado touched down near the intersection of State Highway 325 and Max Graben Circle southwest of Albertville. From there, the tornado moved northeast across Section Line Road and State Highway 205. The tornado snapped and uprooted numerous hardwood and softwood trees along the path. Trees were knocked down onto several residences. The tornado crossed State Highway 431 north of Albertville near State Highway 426. As it crossed George Wallace Drive north of Highway 431, a chicken house was completely destroyed on Arbor Acres Road. Other chicken houses on the same property sustained roof damage and lost tin from the sides of the structures.

The tornado initially touched down just west of Guntersville Lake, near Spindle Top Drive and Highway 69. Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted in this location. The tornado then continued northeast across County Road (CR) 14 and across Cha-la-kee and Cotton Roads, where several homes had damage to shingles and numerous large trees were uprooted.||The tornado then moved northeast across Guntersville Lake and strengthened as it crossed Buck Island. Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted across the Buck Island community. Several power poles were snapped near their bases and numerous homes sustained minor roof damage. Several piers and sheds were also destroyed. Damage was rated EF-1 through this area.||Next, the tornado crossed east over Guntersville Lake and struck Lake Guntersville State Park as an EF-2. Hundreds of trees were twisted, snapped and uprooted through the northern half of the State Park. Several RV campers were damaged in the camp grounds and minor roof damage was observed at the camp lodge.||The tornado continued northeast, just to the east of Highway 227, where hundreds of additional trees were snapped and uprooted along the west-facing valley wall. The tornado moved northeast as an EF-2, destroying a trailer and rolling another near Oliver Road, between Williams and Martin Drive. A barn and shed were also demolished.||The tornado then continued northeast crossing Highway 227 near Morgan Cove Road, twisting and uprooting several trees.

A tornado producing EF-1 intensity and peak wind speeds of up to 95 mph touched down along Browns Valley Road near the south end of Lake Guntersville. The tornado tracked northeast along Browns Valley Road and Creek Path Road before lifting near State Highway 79. The tornado snapped and twisted trees along Browns Valley Road. As the tornado crossed a neighborhood along Creek Path Road, more substantial damage occurred. Larger trees were uprooted and one house sustained significant roof loss. The tornado lifted near Highway 79 and Creek Path Road.

An EF-1 tornado touched down on Crest Hill Road off of Cathedral Caverns Highway on the south side of Grant Mountain. As the tornado skipped along it's short path, several trees were snapped on Crest Hill Road. As it skipped northeast, two very large hardwood trees were snapped and uprooted on Edmonds Road. Minor roof damage was sustained to a house there. Just northeast of this location, the tornado lifted.

A tornado of EF-0 intensity producing peak wind speeds of 85 mph touched down new Bakers Chapel Lane, just south of Bakers Chapel Road. The most significant damage was an area of uprooted trees along Bakers Chapel Road just west of U.S. Highway 431 / State Highway 1. The tornado continued northeast and crossed State Highway 79 where a few tree tops were snapped.

A tornado of EF-1 intensity produced peak wind speeds of 90 mph. This short-lived tornado did most of its damage over portions of Lake Guntersville State Park, near the entrance and across the golf course. Many trees were snapped with a few larger pines uprooted. The tornado continued briefly north-northeast crossing State Highway 227 before lifting near South Sauty Road and Highway 227 after snapping additional trees.

A tornado of EF-1 intensity produced peak wind speeds of up to 105 mph. The tornado tracked northeast from Lake Guntersville near McKee Island, west of State Highway 79 across the north end of Buck Island, then lifted near Star Point. The tornado damaged a marina just west of Highway 79 where a canopy collapsed. The tornado then crossed Joe Starnes Field (Airport) and snapped and uprooted many trees along Buck Island Road on the north side of Buck Island. The tornado produced damage over Star Point, along Milky Way Road, Monsanto Road, and Star Point Road. Trees were mostly snapped, twisted and uprooted at these locations. The tornado crossed over Lake Guntersville at several locations along its path.

A tornado of EF-1 intensity initially touched down between Buck Island and Pine Island on Guntersville Lake in northeast Marshall County. Numerous hardwood and softwood trees were snapped along Highway 79 as the tornado skipped northeast. The tornado touched down again near Pine Island. Numerous homes sustained damage from trees falling on them in a convergent pattern as the tornado moved along the shore of the lake on Preston Island. At this point in the tornado path, width was estimated at 100 yards.

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

21 minutes of warning. NWS HUN issued a tornado warning for this county at 11:09 UTC, 21 minutes before the tornado touched down, in force until 11:45 UTC.

The county was under a tornado watch, issued at 07:36 UTC and running to 13:00 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 06:10 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.

Albertville (BFZ), 5 km from the path, in the two hours either side.

From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of airport observations.

The Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 74 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the touchdown began at 11:30 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.