Storm Events Database

Storm Events Database

Event Details

Event Tornado
-- Scale EF2
-- Length 17.31
-- Width 880
State ALABAMA
County/Area MARSHALL
WFO HUN
Begin Date 04/27/2011 05:30:00 CST-6
Begin Range 1
Begin Azimuth N
Begin Location WARRENTON
Begin Lat/Lon 34.36/-86.37
End Date 04/27/2011 05:49:00 CST-6
End Range 3
End Azimuth NE
End Location POPLAR SPGS
End Lat/Lon 34.45/-86.09
Deaths Direct/Indirect 0/0 (fatality details below, when available...)
Injuries Direct/Indirect 0/0
Property Damage 0.00K
Crop Damage 0.00K
Episode Narrative 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.
Event Narrative 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.


All events for this episode:

Location County/Zone St. Date Time T.Z. Type Mag Dth Inj PrD CrD
Totals: 100 94 1.111B 0.00K
WATERLOO LAUDERDALE CO. AL 04/27/2011 03:01 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
SMITHSONIA LAUDERDALE CO. AL 04/27/2011 03:19 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 1 0.00K 0.00K
SPEAKE LAWRENCE CO. AL 04/27/2011 04:44 CST-6 Hail 0.88 in. 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
WILBURN CULLMAN CO. AL 04/27/2011 04:48 CST-6 Tornado EF2 1 0 0.00K 0.00K
JOPPA CULLMAN CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:20 CST-6 Tornado EF0 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
NIXON CHAPEL MARSHALL CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:22 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 40.00K 0.00K
RED HILL MARSHALL CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:22 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
RED HILL MARSHALL CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:24 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
HIGHPOINT MARSHALL CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:30 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
WARRENTON MARSHALL CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:30 CST-6 Tornado EF2 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
HYATT MARSHALL CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:30 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
HIGHPOINT MARSHALL CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:30 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
BIG SPGS MARSHALL CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:35 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
GRANT MARSHALL CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:35 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 10.00K 0.00K
HENRYVILLE MARSHALL CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:43 CST-6 Tornado EF0 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
MARTLING MARSHALL CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:45 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
LANGSTON JACKSON CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:45 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 70 kts. EG 0 0 210.00K 0.00K
GUNTERSVILLE MUNI AR MARSHALL CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:45 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
GROVE OAK DEKALB CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:49 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
GUNTERSVILLE LAKE MARSHALL CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:49 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
SECTION JACKSON CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:58 CST-6 Tornado EF1 1 0 0.00K 0.00K
ELLIOT XRDS DEKALB CO. AL 04/27/2011 06:10 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 30.00K 0.00K
FAIRVIEW JACKSON CO. AL 04/27/2011 06:12 CST-6 Tornado EF2 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
KAOLIN DEKALB CO. AL 04/27/2011 06:18 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
IDER DEKALB CO. AL 04/27/2011 06:34 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
SHADY GROVE FRANKLIN CO. AL 04/27/2011 06:36 CST-6 Hail 1.25 in. 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
MT HOPE LAWRENCE CO. AL 04/27/2011 08:00 CST-6 Hail 0.88 in. 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
REID LIMESTONE CO. AL 04/27/2011 08:30 CST-6 Hail 1.00 in. 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
STEWERDS STORE LIMESTONE CO. AL 04/27/2011 08:30 CST-6 Hail 0.88 in. 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
HARVEST EPPS ARPT MADISON CO. AL 04/27/2011 08:46 CST-6 Hail 0.75 in. 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
MADISON XRDS MADISON CO. AL 04/27/2011 08:50 CST-6 Hail 1.75 in. 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
MT LEVENTOV MADISON CO. AL 04/27/2011 09:05 CST-6 Hail 1.00 in. 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
MYNOT COLBERT CO. AL 04/27/2011 09:25 CST-6 Hail 0.88 in. 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
COURTLAND AIRFIELD LAWRENCE CO. AL 04/27/2011 10:14 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 54 kts. MG 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
RIPLEY LIMESTONE CO. AL 04/27/2011 10:15 CST-6 Tornado EF0 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
TRINITY MORGAN CO. AL 04/27/2011 10:20 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
REID LIMESTONE CO. AL 04/27/2011 10:23 CST-6 Tornado EF0 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
OAKLAND LIMESTONE CO. AL 04/27/2011 10:24 CST-6 Tornado EF0 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
FRENCH MILL LIMESTONE CO. AL 04/27/2011 10:30 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
CAPSHAW LIMESTONE CO. AL 04/27/2011 10:35 CST-6 Tornado EF0 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
NEBO MADISON CO. AL 04/27/2011 10:37 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
CAPSHAW MADISON CO. AL 04/27/2011 10:39 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
MADISON CO JET PORT MADISON CO. AL 04/27/2011 10:49 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 51 kts. MG 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
NORMAL MADISON CO. AL 04/27/2011 10:50 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
BLOUCHER FORD MADISON CO. AL 04/27/2011 10:55 CST-6 Tornado EF0 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
BOLIVAR JACKSON CO. AL 04/27/2011 12:00 CST-6 Hail 1.25 in. 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
CRANE HILL CULLMAN CO. AL 04/27/2011 13:40 CST-6 Tornado EF4 1 0 0.00K 0.00K
GUM POND MORGAN CO. AL 04/27/2011 14:12 CST-6 Tornado EF4 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
RUTH MARSHALL CO. AL 04/27/2011 14:16 CST-6 Tornado EF4 5 48 0.00K 0.00K
NIX FRANKLIN CO. AL 04/27/2011 14:28 CST-6 Tornado EF5 27 0 50.000M 0.00K
MT HOPE LAWRENCE CO. AL 04/27/2011 14:44 CST-6 Hail 1.00 in. 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
MT HOPE LAWRENCE CO. AL 04/27/2011 14:45 CST-6 Tornado EF5 14 0 40.000M 0.00K
MT HOPE LAWRENCE CO. AL 04/27/2011 14:45 CST-6 Hail 1.75 in. 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
HODGE JACKSON CO. AL 04/27/2011 15:01 CST-6 Tornado EF4 6 0 0.00K 0.00K
TRINITY MORGAN CO. AL 04/27/2011 15:15 CST-6 Tornado EF3 0 0 400.00K 0.00K
LAWNGATE LIMESTONE CO. AL 04/27/2011 15:17 CST-6 Tornado EF4 4 45 1.000B 0.00K
HODGES FRANKLIN CO. AL 04/27/2011 15:20 CST-6 Tornado EF2 0 0 600.00K 0.00K
NIX FRANKLIN CO. AL 04/27/2011 15:21 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 70 kts. EG 0 0 30.00K 0.00K
NIX FRANKLIN CO. AL 04/27/2011 15:23 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 65 kts. EG 0 0 10.00K 0.00K
SPRUCE PINE FRANKLIN CO. AL 04/27/2011 15:26 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 65 kts. EG 0 0 15.00K 0.00K
IDER DEKALB CO. AL 04/27/2011 15:30 CST-6 Tornado EF4 6 0 0.00K 0.00K
WACO FRANKLIN CO. AL 04/27/2011 15:33 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 50 kts. EG 0 0 2.00K 0.00K
NEWBURG FRANKLIN CO. AL 04/27/2011 15:36 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 50 kts. EG 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
CLUTTSVILLE MADISON CO. AL 04/27/2011 15:36 CST-6 Tornado EF4 9 0 0.00K 0.00K
NEWBURG FRANKLIN CO. AL 04/27/2011 15:38 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 50 kts. EG 0 0 6.00K 0.00K
CLUTTSVILLE MADISON CO. AL 04/27/2011 15:40 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
GLADSTONE MADISON CO. AL 04/27/2011 15:47 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 70 kts. MG 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
ORRVILLE LIMESTONE CO. AL 04/27/2011 15:53 CST-6 Tornado EF0 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
MADISON MADISON CO. AL 04/27/2011 16:02 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
FACKLER JACKSON CO. AL 04/27/2011 16:05 CST-6 Tornado EF4 1 0 0.00K 0.00K
ARKADELPHIA CULLMAN CO. AL 04/27/2011 16:05 CST-6 Tornado EF4 0 0 20.000M 0.00K
ATHENS LIMESTONE CO. AL 04/27/2011 16:10 CST-6 Hail 1.75 in. 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
ARKADELPHIA CULLMAN CO. AL 04/27/2011 16:15 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
GARDEN CITY CULLMAN CO. AL 04/27/2011 16:19 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
GARDEN CITY CULLMAN CO. AL 04/27/2011 16:22 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
CLUTTSVILLE MADISON CO. AL 04/27/2011 16:28 CST-6 Hail 1.75 in. 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
RED HILL MARSHALL CO. AL 04/27/2011 16:50 CST-6 Tornado EF2 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
TEN BROECK DEKALB CO. AL 04/27/2011 17:19 CST-6 Tornado EF5 25 0 0.00K 0.00K
BEATY XRDS DEKALB CO. AL 04/27/2011 17:44 CST-6 Hail 1.75 in. 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
CENTERVILLE CULLMAN CO. AL 04/27/2011 18:09 CST-6 Tornado EF0 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
NEBO MADISON CO. AL 04/27/2011 18:17 CST-6 Hail 1.75 in. 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
JONES CHAPEL CULLMAN CO. AL 04/27/2011 18:58 CST-6 Hail 1.00 in. 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
FT PAYNE DEKALB CO. AL 04/27/2011 20:05 CST-6 Tornado EF2 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
Totals: 100 94 1.111B 0.00K