Public Information Statement
Issued by NWS Huntsville, AL
Issued by NWS Huntsville, AL
022 NOUS44 KHUN 102235 PNSHUN ALZ001>010-016-TNZ076-096-097-111045- Public Information Statement National Weather Service Huntsville AL 535 PM CDT Fri May 10 2024 ...NWS Damage Survey for 05/08/2024 Tornado Event Update #3... .Update...Upgraded Henagar Tornado to EF-3... .Henagar Tornado... Rating: EF3 Estimated Peak Wind: 140 mph Path Length /statute/: 12.34 miles Path Width /maximum/: 880 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 7 Start Date: 05/08/2024 Start Time: 10:57 PM CDT Start Location: 3 S Pisgah / Jackson County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 34.6407 / -85.8578 End Date: 05/08/2024 End Time: 11:24 PM CDT End Location: 2 NNW Hammondville / DeKalb County / AL End Lat/Lon: 34.5998 / -85.6497 Survey Summary: The tornado touched down on Hwy 71 in Jackson County, snapping hard and softwood trees to begin its path. The tornado continued between County Road 425 and 322, producing minor damage to the roof of a small farm building. The tornado then overturned a camper and injured two people downstream along County Road 422. Also at this location, a well-built home was partially destroyed. A mobile home was moved off its foundation here as well, with a third of the roof of a hay barn and a horse trailer destroyed. Projectiles were found in the field across the street from this home, with 2x4s impaled a foot to 18" in the ground at this location. Further south and east along State Road 40, large 100+ year old oak trees that were 4-5 foot in diameter were blown down onto a house, collapsing two exterior walls. Windows were sucked out at this location as well prior to the trees falling when the tornado passed just north of the house. Up the street, a well- built home sustained major damage when the tornado ripped the garage off of the house and sheared it to the north and east into the rest of the dwelling. It was at this location that the highest wind speed was rated for this tornado, 135mph, which is the top windspeed for an EF-2 tornado. Had anchor bolts been found in the foundation anchoring of the walls (in lieu of the nails that were found attaching the walls to the foundation), the tornado would have been upgraded to an EF-3 tornado. What was left of the house was in relatively good condition, all things considered, and it was noted that the attic framing was anchored with strongties, and so the roof remained intact over a good portion of the house otherwise. At this point, the tornado was likely at its widest point, measuring 1.13 miles wide. NWS representatives returned to the track the following day to access several roadways that were completely blocked from widespread fallen trees south of State Road 40. Surveyors found damage indicators and degrees of damage consistent with EF3 (140mph) tornado damage. The tornado was the strongest at this point along the path. Along County Road 125, a well built shop building was completely destroyed. The metal building structure was well-anchored with H-beams anchored with large bolts and plates at the bases to the foundation. The bolts were snapped and severely bent, along with the plates. On one corner, a large 4-5 foot section of the foundation was ripped off the ground and strewn about 10 feet away with the column anchoring still intact. More shocking was the 20,000 pound 18-wheeler cab that was tossed more than 150 yards into the field across CR 125. Other nearby semi-trailers that were parked on the property were strewn in the same direction as well, though most only were shifted 50-100 feet. The tornado continued snapping and uprooting softwood trees over the relatively rural landscape along Melton Drive and Elliot Road. It was at this location where the road was impassable due to numerous trees covering the roadway, and it was actively being removed during our survey. Further east/southeast, the tornado moved across the intersection of Culver/Keith/Lacey Roads, snapping and uprooting more softwood trees. The tornado crossed State Road 40, peeling back tin on several chicken houses between SR40 and Valley Road, causing the structural integrity of one of the houses to be compromised. Additional softwood trees were uprooted and snapped near the intersection of County Road 714 and 120 along State Road 40 as well, with the loss of several roof panels to a shed structure at a house located here. Continuing on toward the latter part of the tornado track, a large oak tree fell onto a house on CR665 and 670. The tornado skipped along uprooting and snapping more hard and softwood trees between this location and the terminal point on Hwy 117 on the cusp of Hammondville, mainly in rural Dekalb County. No additional damage points were found beyond Hwy 117 and Interstate 59. Thanks to both Jackson and Dekalb County EMA Offices, as well as several Fire Departments in both counties for the support and aid in completing these surveys. Ravenscraft/Amin/Darish Update #1: updated for additional survey results from Madison County .Old Town Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 105 mph Path Length /statute/: 2.38 miles Path Width /maximum/: 600 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 05/08/2024 Start Time: 09:28 PM CDT Start Location: 3 NE Huntsville / Madison County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 34.7377 / -86.5817 End Date: 05/08/2024 End Time: 09:32 PM CDT End Location: 4 ENE Huntsville / Madison County / AL End Lat/Lon: 34.7206 / -86.5468 Survey Summary: An NWS storm survey determined a tornado touched down near Walker Ave NE. The initial touchdown point was indicated by snapping of large branches and significant leaf litter. The tornado continued generally southeast resulting in several large trees uprooted between Walker Ave NE and Randolph Ave SE. This track continued southeast just north of Governors Dr SE with several additional trees both uprooted and snapped. Between Holmes Ave and near Sun Valley Rd SE appears to be the location where the tornado reached its peak intensity of EF1 as indicated by the various uprooted and snapped trees near SE California St and through the Maple Hill Cemetery. Further along this southeast track, the tornado weakened slightly as it tracked north of the Medical District with additional damage of large branches down and leaf litter observed. While our last damage point is just north of Governors Dr SE, radar data indicates the tornadic debris signature continued southeast over Monte Sano. We have requested additional drone and satellite data to further refine the ending of this tornado track and supplement this survey. Some tree damage was noted just south of Governors Dr SE however this was identified as wind damage from inflow winds into the supercell. Thank you to Madison County EMA for their assistance during this survey. Darish/Carmer/Magee .McMullen Cove Tornado ... Rating: EF2 Estimated Peak Wind: 122 mph Path Length /statute/: 0.87 miles Path Width /maximum/: 275 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 05/08/2024 Start Time: 09:44 PM CDT Start Location: 4 W Gurley / Madison County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 34.6996 / -86.4389 End Date: 05/08/2024 End Time: 09:48 PM CDT End Location: 3 W Gurley / Madison County / AL End Lat/Lon: 34.7015 / -86.4245 Survey Summary: An NWS storm survey determined that a tornado touched down just north of Little Cove Road. Our initial points for the touchdown were indicated by siding peeled off of a garage and shearing of limbs off of tree tops. The tornado then tracked generally east and continued to distribute leaf litter and snap small branches before beginning to peel some siding on single family homes. The tornado then intensified and caused partial uplift of roofs on the eastern side to four houses on Kenhurst Ln SE. The source of roof failure for these homes came from the eastern portion of the roof. The tornado was able to lift the roof from overhangs facing eastward and then further lift additional portions of the roof. Roof construction appeared primarily via nails and 2x4 with Simpson Strong Ties noted along the base of the roof. Based on these points of strongest intensity, the tornado was deemed a low- end EF2. Roofing material was lofted one block east on Abby Glen Way, where there was also additional scattered shingle damage. No additional damage was noted in this neighborhood. Beyond this neighborhood to the east lies unaccessible rural areas which we could not survey. Additional satellite data has been requested to further analyze the extent of this tornado track and further updates to the end point may be required. Thank you to Madison County EMA for their assistance during this survey. Darish/Carmer/Magee .Brigadoon Tornado... Rating: EF3 Estimated Peak Wind: 136 mph Path Length /statute/: 2.22 miles Path Width /maximum/: 0.13 miles Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 05/08/2024 Start Time: 08:23 PM CDT Start Location: 7 SE Rogersville / Limestone County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 34.7499 / -87.1944 End Date: 05/08/2024 End Time: 08:30 PM CDT End Location: 8 N Hillsboro / Limestone County / AL End Lat/Lon: 34.7556 / -87.1561 Survey Summary: A tornado touched down on the Tennessee River just east of where the Elk River meets the Tennessee River and proceeded to move inland at the Brigadoon neighborhood. Public photos and videos confirm the tornado was over water before it moved on land. It first caused damage at Inverness Place and this is where the homes with the largest amount of damage was found. The home that had the greatest damage had all exterior walls facing the river collapsed, the roof of the main part of the house completely gone and the two story four car garage was collapsed with the roof also gone. The front of the house and interior rooms remained in tact. This damage is correlated with low end EF3 damage. Homes nearby had substantial roof damage, damaged vehicles, and other various exterior damage. Numerous large trees throughout the neighborhood were uprooted or snapped. Moving further into the subdivision, there was roof and exterior home damage to a lesser extent, fences knocked over by other debris and broken windows. The tornado lifted in a field outside of the subdivision. Saari/Smith && EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories: EF0.....65 to 85 mph EF1.....86 to 110 mph EF2.....111 to 135 mph EF3.....136 to 165 mph EF4.....166 to 200 mph EF5.....>200 mph NOTE: The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to change pending final review of the event and publication in NWS Storm Data. $$