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Storm Events Database
Event Details:
| Event | Tornado |
| -- Scale | EF1 |
| -- Length | 9.96 Miles |
| -- Width | 175 Yards |
| State | ALABAMA |
| County/Area | MOBILE |
| WFO | MOB |
| Report Source | NWS Storm Survey |
| NCEI Data Source | CSV |
| Begin Date | 2021-08-30 11:20 CST-6 |
| Begin Location | 2S SARALAND |
| Begin Lat/Lon | 30.7951/-88.0731 |
| End Date | 2021-08-30 11:34 CST-6 |
| End Location | 2ESE AXIS |
| End Lat/Lon | 30.9212/-87.9919 |
| Deaths Direct/Indirect | 0/0 (fatality details below, when available...) |
| Injuries Direct/Indirect | 3/0 |
| Property Damage | |
| Crop Damage | 0.00K |
| Episode Narrative | Hurricane Ida rapidly intensified overnight on August 28th into the morning of August 29th into strong category 4 Hurricane as it approached the northern Gulf coast. Ida made landfall across southeast Louisiana during the late morning on August 29th. Ida turned north and northeast across central Mississippi during late afternoon and evening on Monday, August 30th. The core of the hurricane force winds was relatively small, only extending out from the center about 50 miles. However tropical storm force winds extended outward over 150 miles from the center. This brought tropical storm force wind gusts to southeast Mississippi and much of southwest Alabama, with a brief period of sustained tropical storm force winds to coastal Alabama. Wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph were recorded across southeast Mississippi and southwestern Alabama. The tropical storm force winds also downed several trees across the area. The highest storm surge inundation values observed were between 3 to 4.5 feet MHHW across southern Mobile county up into the far north end of Mobile Bay. Storm surge surveys indicated the highest water levels were in the Bayou La Batre area along and near Shell Belt Road where peak water levels were in the 4 to 4.5 feet MHHW range. The slow movement of the storm caused widespread flooding especially across southeast Mississippi and portions of southwest Alabama. Rainfall amounts of anywhere from 7 to 12 inches were recorded across southeast Mississippi and portions of southwest Alabama. This led to significant flash flooding along with significant river flooding. Two tornadoes during the afternoon on August 30th. An EF-1 in northern Mobile County and an EF-1 in southern Clarke County. Here is a breakdown of county impacts: Stone County MS: Tropical storm force wind gusts downed several trees in Stone County. Seven to ten inches of rain was recorded and one road had to be barricaded due to flooding. The low lying red creek and mill creek areas experienced flooding, impacting two RV parks. George County MS: Eight to twelve inches of rain fell across George county which resulted in significant flash flooding. A portion of Highway 26 collapsed just west of Lucedale, killing three people and injuring seven others. Eleven other roads were significantly flooded and had some form of washout or damage. Mobile County AL: The west end of Dauphin Island was significantly impacted by Ida from a combination of high surf, storm surge, and tropical storm force winds. Three miles of Bienville boulevard was impassable due to surge flooding and sand up to four feet deep. The high surf also produced minor damage to a few homes on the west end. Power poles were also knocked down on the island. Storm surge inundation peaked between 3 and 4.5 feet MHHW across southern Mobile county up into the far north end of Mobile Bay. The highest tidal gauge readings were 3.78 feet MHHW at Coast Guard sector Mobile and 3.82 feet MHHW at the Bayou La Batre bridge. Storm surge surveys along Shell Belt road in Bayou La Batre indicated water lines that reached between 4-4.5 feet. This surge flooding resulted in closures of low lying coastal roads, such as Shell Belt road, the US Highway 90 causeway, the foot of the Dog river bridge, and the Dauphin Island causeway. Coastal flooding persisted across three high tide cycles which resulted in prolonged closures. Observations at Dauphin Island and Buccaneer Yacht Club on Mobile Bay measured brief sustained periods of tropical storm force winds between 40-45 mph. Gusts of 50 to 60 mph were recorded in heavier rain bands across central and southern Mobile county. An EF-1 tornado impacted parts of Saraland, Satsuma, and Creola early in the afternoon on August 30th, resulting in three injuries. Rainfall totals of 8 to 11 inches were recorded across the county, especially in southern and central portions. This heavy rainfall led to some urban flooding in neighborhoods and damaged some drainage culverts. Baldwin County AL: Storm surge inundation of 3 to 4 feet above normally dry ground was recorded from Weeks Bay northward. This resulted in flooding of low lying areas and closure of the US Highway 90 Causeway. Five to nine inches of rain was measured across Baldwin county, which resulted in areas of flash flooding. A portion of River Road along Styx River was washed out due to heavy rainfall and flooding. A few drainage culverts were also significant damaged in the county. Tropical storm conditions were confined primarily to immediate coastal areas, particularly along the Fort Morgan peninsula. Clarke County AL: An EF-1 Tornado impacted portions of southern Clarke County, significantly damaging a couple of structures. Escambia County FL: High surf of at least ten feet resulted in significant flooding and sand on coastal roadways along the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Portions of the road and access areas were closed for an extended period of time. Santa Rosa County FL: High surf of at least ten feet resulted in significant flooding and sand along the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Portions of the road and access areas were closed for and extended period of time. Okaloosa County FL: Strong rip currents produced by Ida resulted in two rip current fatalities in the wake of the storm. One occurred on September 1st when a 14 year old teen drowned off a Destin Beach. The other fatality occurred on September 4th when a 58 year old man drowned off Henderson Beach State Park. |
| Event Narrative | The tornado began at approximately 12:20 PM at the intersection of highway 158 and highway 43 where trees were uprooted and a few pines snapped. As the tornado moved northeast along highway 43 it produced sporadic damage to trees. The roof of a motel on the west side of highway 43 was uplifted and partially removed. As the tornado crossed 43 the most intense damage occured where several sections of another motel`s roof was removed, one person had minor injuries at the motel. Due to the roofs older build and lack of tree damage, a lower bound estimate was used. The tornado continued northeast and crossed Jackintoport Blvd. where the roof of an open sided industrial building was partially removed and an 18 wheeler was overturned. Another injury occured with the overturned tractor trailer. Tree damage became sporadic and the path may have been discontinuous until several softwood trees were uprooted or snapped along Bayou Sara Ave. The tornado likely, continued northeast along Gunnison Creek and damage was found as the tornado crossed near Boboshilly Cir. This was where the most significant tree damage was noted with several snapped softwood pines. The tornado continued northeast towards I-65 where a couple trees were uprooted onto a home along Ellison Ave before likely dissipating north of Dead Lake Marina Rd. Most of the damage indicators appeared right of the track and based off radar estimates the tornado could have possibly continued further into the Mobile delta. |
Event Map:
Note: The tornado track is approximate based on the beginning (B) and ending (E) locations. The actual tornado path may differ from a straight line.
All events for this episode:
| Location | County/Zone | St. | Date | Time | T.Z. | Type | Mag | Dth | Inj | PrD | CrD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Totals: | 0 | 3 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |||||||
| BALDWIN COASTAL (ZONE) | BALDWIN COASTAL (ZONE) | AL | 08/29/2021 | 05:00 | CST-6 | Tropical Storm | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| MOBILE COASTAL (ZONE) | MOBILE COASTAL (ZONE) | AL | 08/29/2021 | 05:00 | CST-6 | Tropical Storm | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| BALDWIN COASTAL (ZONE) | BALDWIN COASTAL (ZONE) | AL | 08/29/2021 | 07:00 | CST-6 | Storm Surge/tide | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| MOBILE CENTRAL (ZONE) | MOBILE CENTRAL (ZONE) | AL | 08/29/2021 | 07:00 | CST-6 | Storm Surge/tide | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| MOBILE COASTAL (ZONE) | MOBILE COASTAL (ZONE) | AL | 08/29/2021 | 07:00 | CST-6 | Storm Surge/tide | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| BALDWIN CENTRAL (ZONE) | BALDWIN CENTRAL (ZONE) | AL | 08/29/2021 | 07:00 | CST-6 | Storm Surge/tide | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| MOBILE CENTRAL (ZONE) | MOBILE CENTRAL (ZONE) | AL | 08/30/2021 | 05:00 | CST-6 | Tropical Storm | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| (MOB)MOBILE BATES FL | MOBILE CO. | AL | 08/30/2021 | 10:33 | CST-6 | Flash Flood | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| SARALAND | MOBILE CO. | AL | 08/30/2021 | 11:20 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF1 | 0 | 3 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| CHOCTAW BLUFF | CLARKE CO. | AL | 08/30/2021 | 12:25 | CST-6 | Tornado | EF1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| SEVEN HILLS | MOBILE CO. | AL | 08/30/2021 | 13:03 | CST-6 | Flash Flood | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| TILLMANS CORNER | MOBILE CO. | AL | 08/31/2021 | 04:17 | CST-6 | Flash Flood | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| Totals: | 0 | 3 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
