Surveys Complete; A Grand Total Of 24 Tornadoes Confirmed On Easter Sunday

All surveys across the state of Alabama have been completed and there were a total of 24 confirmed tornadoes that caused damage in the afternoon and evening on Easter Sunday. There were 26 confirmations given, but two of those had two separate survey results each as those tornadoes crossed over from one county warning area to another; therefore, the actual tornado count is 24. I have compiled a list from all of the Public Information Statements from the three NWS offices in the state that had reports of damage:

North Alabama Tornadoes (NWS Huntsville’s CWA)

Johnson’s Crossing (Cullman Co.): EF-1 … 100 MPH
Walter (Cullman Co.): EF-2 … 115 MPH
Welti (Cullman Co.): EF-0 … 80 MPH
Boaz (Marshall/Dekalb Co.): EF-2 … 132 MPH *
Collinsville (Dekalb Co.): EF-0 … 80 MPH
Shiloh/Higdon (Dekalb Co.): EF-1 … 95 MPH
* = continuation of tornado from Central Alabama

Central Alabama Tornadoes (NWS Birmingham’s CWA)

Ethelsville (Pickens Co.): EF-0 … 75 MPH
State Route 159 (Pickens/Fayette Co.): EF-0 … 75 MPH
Belle Creek (Fayette Co.): EF-0 … 80 MPH
Cedar Creek (Fayette/Walker Co.): EF-1 … 95 MPH
Gorgas (Walker County): EF-1 … 110 MPH
Bagley (Walker/Jefferson Co.): EF-2 … 125 MPH
Locust Fork (Blount Co.): EF-1 … 95 MPH
Boaz (Blount/Etowah Co.): EF-2 … 115 MPH *
Reece City (Etowah Co.): EF-2 … 115 MPH
Carbon Hill (Walker Co.): EF-1 … 110 MPH
NorthRiver Yacht Club (Tuscaloosa Co.): EF-1 … 100 MPH
Moores Valley (Marengo Co.): EF-1 … 100 MPH **
Sprott (Perry Co.): EF-1 … 100 MPH
Sardis (Dallas Co.): EF-0 … 80 MPH
* = tornado continued into North Alabama
** = tornado continued into Southwest Alabama

The Central Alabama storm surveys for April 12th have been completed. If there is information we are not aware of or not in this report, please let us know. Central Alabama had 17 tornadoes and 2 wind swaths that occurred on Easter Sunday, April 12th. Here are the details on the newest confirmed tornadoes not previously listed:

Whites Creek (Blount Co.)

Rating … EF-0
Estimated Peak Wind … 75 mph
Path Length … 0.47 miles
Path Width … 125 yards
Fatalities … 0
Injuries … 0

Survey Summary: A brief EF-0 tornado touched down near Whites Creek, generally along Center Springs Road. Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted before the tornado moved east and over a residence causing minor roof damage to at least two homes, uprooting trees, and destroying a storage shed. The tornado quickly weakened and lifted as it moved over a heavily wooded area just to the east-northeast where remnant debris lied in the tree line. Aerial photos helped establish a clearly identifiable convergent debris pattern. The tornado damage path was 0.47 miles long and was 125 yards wide at its widest point. The maximum winds were estimated around 75 mph.

County Road 33 (Blount Co.)

Rating … EF-2
Estimated Peak Wind … 115 mph
Path Length … 5.56 miles
Path Width … 500 yards
Fatalities … 0
Injuries … 0

Survey Summary: A tornado touched down near Moss Road and County Road 33. This
location is in central Blount County in an open farm pasture. The tornado quickly intensified as it began to snap and uproot various trees near the farm, and also destroying a farm shed. Numerous trees were uprooted as the tornado began to cross Highway 33, before impacting two residences. It was here where the damage survey team found the most significant damage as one residence sustained moderate roof and siding damage, and another was completely swept off its foundation, moving nearly 60 ft to the north. Wind estimates at this location placed the tornado at EF-2, 115 mph. Dozens of trees were also snapped and uprooted on these properties as the tornado ran parallel to the highway, in a northeasterly direction. Tracking northeast, the tornado crossed County Road 1 where another corridor of significant tree damage was observed, snapping and uprooting hundreds of softwoods. Just to the north of here, a shed near a mobile home was overturned and blown to the southeast. From here the tornado continued northeast where structure damage was observed near Highway 33. Various farm buildings sustained significant damage and at least one residence sustained roof damage where winds were estimated at 100 mph. The damage became more sporadic in nature and less severe northeast of here, though another brief corridor of EF-1 damage was observed near the intersection of Shady Lane and US Highway 231 where numerous trees were snapped and uprooted. After crossing Highway 231, the tornado continued northeast and approached Palisades Park before dissipating along Ebell Road. The tornado damage path was 5.56 miles long and was 500 yards wide at its widest point. The maximum winds were estimated at around 115 mph. The National Weather Service would like to thank Blount County EMA for their assistance with tornado damage assessments across the county.

Millers Hollow (Etowah Co.)

Rating … EF-1
Estimated Peak Wind … 95 mph
Path Length … 5.52 miles
Path Width … 525 yards
Fatalities … 0
Injuries … 0

Survey Summary: A tornado touched down southwest of the City of Attalla, generally in a wooded area near Lemon Hollow Road. Damage from this tornado mostly involved softwood trees that were snapped or uprooted in a northeasterly path crossing Miller Hollow Road a few times until the tornado approached Highway 77. Here, dozens of trees were snapped or uprooted, as well as minor structural damage to a farm building and a power substation north of Gray Creek Drive. The tornado crossed Highway 77 near Clear Creek and Little Sand Valley where further tree damage was observed before eventually crossing US Highway 431 near Simmons Lane. The tornado likely centered the ridge top along Simmons Lane as trees were snapped and uprooted along the road near Big Wills Creek. Farther northeast a residence sustained minor roof and porch damage and the circulation center passed overhead, evident by convergent tree fall and tree debris on the property. The tornado continued northeast where continued tree damage was observed before dissipating near Wesson Gap Road. The tornado damage path was 5.52 miles long and was 525 yards wide at its widest point. The maximum winds were estimated around 95 mph.

Southwest Alabama Tornadoes (NWS Mobile’s CWA)

Cullomburg (Choctaw Co.)

Rating … EF-1
Estimated Peak Wind … 105 mph
Path Length … 0.4 miles
Path Width … 100 yards
Fatalities … 0
Injuries … 0

Survey summary: An EF-1 tornado touched down in a heavily wooded area west of Lasiter Rd (also west of Highway 17.) The tornado snapped numerous pine trees along its path. The start and endpoints are estimated due to a lack of access. There was also a much larger area of straight-line wind damage observed in and around Cullomburg with winds estimated at 60-80 mph, which downed numerous trees and heavily damaged a couple of sheds.

West Bend (Clarke Co.)

Rating … EF-1
Estimated Peak Wind … 105 mph
Path Length … 0.8 miles
Path Width … 100 yards
Fatalities … 0
Injuries … 0

Survey summary: The tornado touched down approximately three-quarters of a mile west of West Bend Road and moved northwest across West Bend Road before lifting. Numerous pine trees were snapped along the path. The start point of the path is estimated. There was also a much larger area of straight-line wind damage observed around the area, with winds estimated at 60-80, which resulted in tree damage.

Arlington (Wilcox Co.) **

Rating … EF-1
Estimated Peak Wind … 110 mph
Path Length … 5.4 miles
Path Width … 1000 yards
Fatalities … 0
Injuries … 0

Survey summary: The tornado entered Wilcox County from Marengo County just southwest of County Road 32 and lifted near County Road 30. The most significant damage occurred along County Road 32 where numerous pine trees were snapped. A mobile home was heavily damaged by a large pine tree. Additional trees were either uprooted or snapped along the path with the tornado weakening as it approached County Road 30 just east of Lamison. Many thanks to NWS Birmingham for their assistance with this survey.

** = continuation of tornado from Central Alabama

Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS, Severe Weather