Storm Events Database

Storm Events Database

Event Details

Event Tornado
-- Scale EF4
-- Length 28.85
-- Width 1760
State ALABAMA
County/Area ST. CLAIR
WFO BMX
Begin Date 04/27/2011 17:32:00 CST-6
Begin Range 3
Begin Azimuth NW
Begin Location SANIE
Begin Lat/Lon 33.68/-86.52
End Date 04/27/2011 18:04:00 CST-6
End Range 1
End Azimuth ENE
End Location HENRY LAKE
End Lat/Lon 33.83/-86.05
Deaths Direct/Indirect 13/0 (fatality details below, when available...)
Injuries Direct/Indirect 30/0
Property Damage 200.00M
Crop Damage 0.00K
Episode Narrative A powerful storm system crossed the Southeast United States on Wednesday, April 27, 2011, resulting in a large and deadly tornado outbreak. This epic event broke the record for number of tornadoes in a day for the state of Alabama, becoming the most significant tornado outbreak in the state���s history.

Central Alabama had two rounds of severe weather that day. During the early morning hours, a Quasi-Linear Convective System quickly moved across the northern half of the National Weather Service, Birmingham county warning area. Straight line winds of 90 mph (78kts) or greater and 11 tornadoes lead to widespread damage and power outages. During the afternoon, long-lived supercell thunderstorms produced long-track, strong and violent tornadoes. Destruction and loss of life across many towns and communities was devastating.

The hardest hit areas included Shottsville and Hackleburg, both in Marion County, where winds of 160 mph and 210 mph respectively, caused unimagineable damage. Cordova, in Walker County, was hit twice; by a tornado along the Quasi-Linear Convective System during the early morning hours and again in the afternoon by a long-track EF4 tornado. A long track tornado moved across the city of Tuscaloosa and the western suburbs of Birmingham, resulting in the complete destruction of whole neighborhoods and numerous injuries and fatalities in those heavily populated areas. The same parent supercell produced another violent tornado in east Central Alabama as it tracked across St. Clair and Calhoun Counties, resulting in additional fatalities and incredible damage to a number of neighborhoods. Another violent EF4 tornado tracked across portions of Elmore and Tallapoosa Counties, including Lake Martin, destroying numerous homes and a large section of a mobile home park.

Most of the violent tornadoes from this day were captured on video by a number of people, including storm spotters and chasers, as well as numerous television news crews and remotely controlled web-enabled video cameras. This allowed unprecedented coverage and viewing of this historic event in real time from people worldwide.
Event Narrative This tornado initially touched down in eastern Jefferson County, north northeast of Trussville and moved northeast through portions of St. Clair, Calhoun, Etowah and Cherokee Counties. The tornado then moved into Georgia, across Polk, Floyd and Bartow (See Storm Data Peachtree City) Counties. The tornado crossed into St. Clair County near Argo where it caused mostly tree damage consistent with an EF1 rating as it tracked north of Margaret. The tornado began to strengthen as it neared US Hwy 411 where it caused minor roof damage to one home. The tornado crossed US Hwy 411 north of Odenville, taking a turn to the northeast, and then moved parallel to Shoal Creek. The tornado strengthened rapidly to an EF4 with winds of 170 mph, and caused extensive damage along Shoal Creek Rd, east of CR 26. At least 6 homes were destroyed, with only small interior rooms remaining. At least one home was swept clean from the foundation. Many mobile homes were also destroyed. In addition, tree damage was extensive in this area, with every tree left mangled. At least 14 fatalities occurred along Shoal Creek Rd. The path width increased to around 1 mile as the tornado approached Neely Henry Lake and the Calhoun County line. The tornado maintained a path along Shoal Creek Rd until it crossed the lake.

This tornado was produced by a supercell thunderstorm that began in Newton County Mississippi at 13:54 pm CST, and dissipated in Macon County, North Carolina at approximately 21:18 pm CST. This supercell spawned several strong to violent tornadoes along its long path, including another violent EF4 tornado that crossed portions of Tuscaloosa and western suburbs of the Birmingham.


Event Fatality Details

Type Age Gender Fatality Location
Death 7 Female Mobile/Trailer Home
Death 56 Male Mobile/Trailer Home
Death 31 Female Mobile/Trailer Home
Death 91 Female Mobile/Trailer Home
Death 64 Male Mobile/Trailer Home
Death 97 Female Mobile/Trailer Home
Death 68 Female Mobile/Trailer Home
Death 86 Male Mobile/Trailer Home
Death 1 Not Available Other
Death 44 Male Permanent Home
Death 43 Female Permanent Home
Death 68 Male Permanent Home
Death 68 Female Permanent Home


All events for this episode:

Location County/Zone St. Date Time T.Z. Type Mag Dth Inj PrD CrD
Totals: 140 2001 3.184B 0.00K
MILLPORT LAMAR CO. AL 04/27/2011 03:05 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 2.00K 0.00K
DANCY PICKENS CO. AL 04/27/2011 03:16 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 2.900M 0.00K
SHOTTSVILLE MARION CO. AL 04/27/2011 03:20 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 15.00K 0.00K
CARROLLTON PICKENS CO. AL 04/27/2011 03:27 CST-6 Tornado EF2 0 0 1.800M 0.00K
CARROLLTON PICKENS CO. AL 04/27/2011 03:28 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 2.00K 0.00K
EMELLE SUMTER CO. AL 04/27/2011 03:30 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 2.00K 0.00K
GORDO PICKENS CO. AL 04/27/2011 03:41 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 11.00K 0.00K
LIVINGSTON SUMTER CO. AL 04/27/2011 03:42 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 2.00K 0.00K
MANTUA GREENE CO. AL 04/27/2011 03:43 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 15.00K 0.00K
YORK MALLARD ARPT SUMTER CO. AL 04/27/2011 03:44 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 2.00K 0.00K
HOLMAN TUSCALOOSA CO. AL 04/27/2011 03:44 CST-6 Tornado EF3 0 0 730.00K 0.00K
HAMILTON MARION CO. AL 04/27/2011 03:48 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
UNION GREENE CO. AL 04/27/2011 03:50 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 15.00K 0.00K
(TCL)TUSCALOOSA ARPT TUSCALOOSA CO. AL 04/27/2011 04:02 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 62 kts. MG 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
MOUNDVILLE HALE CO. AL 04/27/2011 04:03 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 8.00K 0.00K
BERRY FAYETTE CO. AL 04/27/2011 04:03 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 4 1.400M 0.00K
RIVER VIEW TUSCALOOSA CO. AL 04/27/2011 04:04 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 68 kts. MG 0 0 3.00K 0.00K
CARONA WALKER CO. AL 04/27/2011 04:17 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 8.00K 0.00K
COALING TUSCALOOSA CO. AL 04/27/2011 04:17 CST-6 Tornado EF3 0 0 9.200M 0.00K
DRIFTON WALKER CO. AL 04/27/2011 04:18 CST-6 Tornado EF3 0 20 13.400M 0.00K
GREENSBORO HALE CO. AL 04/27/2011 04:21 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 4.00K 0.00K
TOWNLEY WALKER CO. AL 04/27/2011 04:21 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 2.00K 0.00K
JASPER WALKER CO ARP WALKER CO. AL 04/27/2011 04:30 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 15.00K 0.00K
KIMBREL JEFFERSON CO. AL 04/27/2011 04:32 CST-6 Tornado EF0 0 0 80.00K 0.00K
BESSEMER ARPT JEFFERSON CO. AL 04/27/2011 04:40 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 3.00K 0.00K
DOLOMITE JEFFERSON CO. AL 04/27/2011 04:40 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 3.00K 0.00K
HELENA SHELBY CO. AL 04/27/2011 04:46 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 2.00K 0.00K
BRIERFIELD BIBB CO. AL 04/27/2011 04:49 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 15.00K 0.00K
ACTON SHELBY CO. AL 04/27/2011 04:50 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 10.00K 0.00K
VESTAVIA HILLS JEFFERSON CO. AL 04/27/2011 04:50 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 8.00K 0.00K
NEWALA SHELBY CO. AL 04/27/2011 04:50 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 65 kts. EG 0 0 2.00K 0.00K
WEST END JEFFERSON CO. AL 04/27/2011 04:50 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 15.00K 0.00K
QUITO SHELBY CO. AL 04/27/2011 04:50 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 3.700M 0.00K
MONTEVALLO SHELBY CO. AL 04/27/2011 04:50 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 65 kts. EG 0 0 2.00K 0.00K
CAHABA HGTS JEFFERSON CO. AL 04/27/2011 04:53 CST-6 Tornado EF0 0 0 15.00K 0.00K
WARRIOR JEFFERSON CO. AL 04/27/2011 04:53 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 5.300M 0.00K
NYOTA BLOUNT CO. AL 04/27/2011 04:54 CST-6 Tornado EF2 0 3 4.000M 0.00K
CAHABA HGTS JEFFERSON CO. AL 04/27/2011 04:54 CST-6 Tornado EF2 0 20 18.000M 0.00K
ACIPCO JEFFERSON CO. AL 04/27/2011 04:55 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 20.00K 0.00K
(BHM)BIRMINGHAM ARPT JEFFERSON CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:00 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 50 kts. EG 0 0 10.00K 0.00K
CALERA SHELBY CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:00 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 2.00K 0.00K
JEFFERSON PARK JEFFERSON CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:00 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 4.00K 0.00K
CENTER PT JEFFERSON CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:02 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
MOODY ST. CLAIR CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:03 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 78 kts. EG 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
NECTOR BLOUNT CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:03 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 78 kts. EG 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
ACMAR ST. CLAIR CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:04 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 78 kts. EG 1 0 0.00K 0.00K
LEEDS JEFFERSON CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:05 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 78 kts. EG 0 0 15.00K 0.00K
LIBERTY BLOUNT CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:12 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 1.50K 0.00K
FAYETTEVILLE TALLADEGA CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:12 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 65 kts. EG 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
CLARENCE BLOUNT CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:13 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 78 kts. EG 0 0 20.00K 0.00K
PELL CITY ST. CLAIR CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:15 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 78 kts. EG 1 0 0.00K 0.00K
BRANCHVILLE ST. CLAIR CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:16 CST-6 Tornado EF2 0 5 865.00K 0.00K
WALNUT GROVE ETOWAH CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:21 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 6.00K 0.00K
LINCOLN TALLADEGA CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:26 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 70 kts. EG 0 0 4.00K 0.00K
RAGLAND ST. CLAIR CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:30 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 70 kts. EG 0 0 15.00K 0.00K
TALLADEGA TALLADEGA CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:31 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
MIDDLETON CALHOUN CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:40 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 70 kts. EG 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
WELLINGTON CALHOUN CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:44 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 70 kts. EG 0 0 3.00K 0.00K
GLENCOE ETOWAH CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:45 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 2 25.00K 0.00K
(ANB)ANNISTON CALHOU CALHOUN CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:47 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 3.00K 0.00K
HOKES BLUFF ETOWAH CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:50 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 10.00K 0.00K
GNATVILLE CHEROKEE CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:55 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 70 kts. EG 0 1 15.00K 0.00K
SLACKLAND CHEROKEE CO. AL 04/27/2011 05:58 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
ASHLAND CLAY CO. AL 04/27/2011 06:00 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 15.00K 0.00K
RICHARDSON CHEROKEE CO. AL 04/27/2011 06:02 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 15.00K 0.00K
COLOMA CHEROKEE CO. AL 04/27/2011 06:02 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 2.00K 0.00K
KEY CHEROKEE CO. AL 04/27/2011 06:06 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 60 kts. EG 0 0 15.00K 0.00K
HACKLEBURG MARION CO. AL 04/27/2011 07:28 CST-6 Hail 1.75 in. 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
HOLLY GROVE WALKER CO. AL 04/27/2011 13:06 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 70 kts. EG 0 0 2.00K 0.00K
HOLLY GROVE WALKER CO. AL 04/27/2011 13:06 CST-6 Thunderstorm Wind 70 kts. EG 0 0 3.00K 0.00K
BARNESVILLE MARION CO. AL 04/27/2011 14:05 CST-6 Tornado EF5 18 100 160.000M 0.00K
HAMILTON MARION CO. AL 04/27/2011 14:38 CST-6 Hail 4.00 in. 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
UNION CHAPEL PICKENS CO. AL 04/27/2011 14:40 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 4 3.800M 0.00K
GEIGER SUMTER CO. AL 04/27/2011 14:57 CST-6 Tornado EF2 0 2 1.000M 0.00K
BEXAR MARION CO. AL 04/27/2011 15:00 CST-6 Tornado EF3 7 100 11.200M 0.00K
VIENNA PICKENS CO. AL 04/27/2011 15:05 CST-6 Tornado EF3 0 0 1.600M 0.00K
MOORES BRIDGE TUSCALOOSA CO. AL 04/27/2011 15:06 CST-6 Tornado EF3 0 0 2.000M 0.00K
NEWTONVILLE FAYETTE CO. AL 04/27/2011 15:15 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 81.00K 0.00K
NEW LEXINGTON TUSCALOOSA CO. AL 04/27/2011 15:18 CST-6 Tornado EF2 0 0 2.500M 0.00K
ALTA FAYETTE CO. AL 04/27/2011 15:29 CST-6 Tornado EF3 4 0 6.600M 0.00K
MARIETTA WALKER CO. AL 04/27/2011 15:35 CST-6 Tornado EF4 9 40 115.000M 0.00K
MANTUA GREENE CO. AL 04/27/2011 15:43 CST-6 Tornado EF2 0 0 2.500M 0.00K
CORDOVA WALKER CO. AL 04/27/2011 15:48 CST-6 Hail 2.75 in. 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
RALPH TUSCALOOSA CO. AL 04/27/2011 15:48 CST-6 Tornado EF4 44 800 1.500B 0.00K
GUIN MARION CO. AL 04/27/2011 16:10 CST-6 Tornado EF3 0 0 5.500M 0.00K
BLOUNT SPGS BLOUNT CO. AL 04/27/2011 16:11 CST-6 Tornado EF2 0 0 480.00K 0.00K
BLOUNT SPGS BLOUNT CO. AL 04/27/2011 16:16 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 230.00K 0.00K
BLOUNT SPGS BLOUNT CO. AL 04/27/2011 16:20 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 153.00K 0.00K
BANGOR BLOUNT CO. AL 04/27/2011 16:23 CST-6 Tornado EF3 0 10 19.500M 0.00K
HALEYVILLE WINSTON CO. AL 04/27/2011 16:30 CST-6 Tornado EF3 0 25 11.500M 0.00K
TISHABEE GREENE CO. AL 04/27/2011 16:30 CST-6 Tornado EF2 0 0 5.000M 0.00K
WELLER JEFFERSON CO. AL 04/27/2011 16:35 CST-6 Tornado EF4 20 700 700.000M 0.00K
SAWYERVILLE HALE CO. AL 04/27/2011 16:43 CST-6 Tornado EF3 6 40 17.000M 0.00K
HUBERTVILLE FAYETTE CO. AL 04/27/2011 17:06 CST-6 Tornado EF3 0 0 3.000M 0.00K
MERTZ BIBB CO. AL 04/27/2011 17:20 CST-6 Tornado EF3 1 10 14.000M 0.00K
CLAY JEFFERSON CO. AL 04/27/2011 17:28 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 105.00K 0.00K
SANIE ST. CLAIR CO. AL 04/27/2011 17:32 CST-6 Tornado EF4 13 30 200.000M 0.00K
HOGGLESVILLE HALE CO. AL 04/27/2011 17:50 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 350.00K 0.00K
MERTZ BIBB CO. AL 04/27/2011 17:57 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 275.00K 0.00K
SCOTROCK SHELBY CO. AL 04/27/2011 18:00 CST-6 Hail 1.00 in. 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
MIDDLETON CALHOUN CO. AL 04/27/2011 18:04 CST-6 Tornado EF4 8 25 122.000M 0.00K
GADSDEN ETOWAH CO. AL 04/27/2011 18:05 CST-6 Hail 1.00 in. 0 0 0.00K 0.00K
HOKES BLUFF ETOWAH CO. AL 04/27/2011 18:22 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 9.400M 0.00K
MAXWELLBORN CALHOUN CO. AL 04/27/2011 18:24 CST-6 Tornado EF1 1 1 4.000M 0.00K
GNATVILLE CHEROKEE CO. AL 04/27/2011 18:25 CST-6 Tornado EF3 0 25 19.000M 0.00K
GARNSEY BIBB CO. AL 04/27/2011 18:32 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 9.00K 0.00K
PEA RIDGE SHELBY CO. AL 04/27/2011 18:35 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 11.00K 0.00K
PERSIMMON GROVE SUMTER CO. AL 04/27/2011 18:47 CST-6 Tornado EF2 0 0 268.00K 0.00K
MYRTLEWOOD MARENGO CO. AL 04/27/2011 18:54 CST-6 Tornado EF2 0 3 14.000M 0.00K
WALLSBURG ELMORE CO. AL 04/27/2011 19:12 CST-6 Tornado EF3 6 20 50.000M 0.00K
VINCENT SHELBY CO. AL 04/27/2011 19:15 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 44.00K 0.00K
COOSA PINES TALLADEGA CO. AL 04/27/2011 19:18 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 1.000M 0.00K
UNIONTOWN PERRY CO. AL 04/27/2011 19:31 CST-6 Tornado EF2 0 0 645.00K 0.00K
BARNESVILLE TALLAPOOSA CO. AL 04/27/2011 19:36 CST-6 Tornado EF4 1 10 115.000M 0.00K
MARION PERRY CO ARPT PERRY CO. AL 04/27/2011 19:50 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 1.300M 0.00K
JUDSON CHAMBERS CO. AL 04/27/2011 20:01 CST-6 Tornado EF3 0 0 2.000M 0.00K
BUFFALO CHAMBERS CO. AL 04/27/2011 20:19 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 5.00K 0.00K
FIVE PTS CHAMBERS CO. AL 04/27/2011 20:29 CST-6 Tornado EF1 0 0 10.00K 0.00K
COOPER CHILTON CO. AL 04/27/2011 20:48 CST-6 Tornado EF0 0 1 102.00K 0.00K
Totals: 140 2001 3.184B 0.00K