Public Information Statement
Issued by NWS Huntsville, AL

Current Version |  Previous Version |  Text Only |  Print | Product List |  Glossary On
Versions: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
187
NOUS44 KHUN 220159 CCA
PNSHUN
ALZ001>010-016-TNZ076-096-097-221230-

Public Information Statement...CORRECTED
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
859 PM CDT Wed May 21 2025

...NWS Damage Survey for 05/20/2025 Tornado Event - Update #3...

.Update...Added in survey results from Northwest Alabama.


.Madison Tornado...

Rating:                 EF2
Estimated Peak Wind:    125 mph
Path Length /statute/:  13.15 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   380 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             05/20/2025
Start Time:             06:09 PM CDT
Start Location:         5 SSE Athens / Limestone County / AL
Start Lat/Lon:          34.7168 / -86.9489

End Date:               05/20/2025
End Time:               06:35 PM CDT
End Location:           2 NE Madison / Madison County / AL
End Lat/Lon:            34.724 / -86.7197

Survey Summary:
The National Weather Service Huntsville, AL has conducted a
damage assessment following a tornado that impacted areas of
Limestone and Madison Counties. The survey team determined that
the damage observed is consistent with an EF-2 tornado, with
maximum estimated wind speeds of 125 mph.

The tornado was initially observed and filmed by multiple storm
chasers west of Interstate 65 near Tanner, Alabama. As it crossed
I-65 in the vicinity of the Highway 31 intersection, numerous
trees were uprooted or snapped.The tornado tracked eastward,
passing south of Huntsville-Brownsferry Road and moving towards
Greenbrier Parkway. Along Greenbrier Parkway, multiple trees were
uprooted, and several structures sustained minor roof damage.
Sporadic tree damage continued east of Greenbrier Parkway toward
Powell Road and Burgreen Road.

Upon entering Madison County near the County Line Road area, the
tornado caused minor roof damage to several single-family homes
and downed trees onto some residences. One home located west of
County Line Road experienced significant damage to its west-facing
facade.

Further tree damage, predominantly uproots, was observed between
County Line Road and Wall Triana Highway, with several instances
of trees falling on homes.The tornado reached its maximum
intensity as it approached Hughes Road, specifically near Downing
Ridge and Millsford Road. In this area, two single-family homes
suffered major roof damage, with most or all of the roofing
material removed. Numerous trees were also uprooted at this
location.Continuing eastward, the tornado crossed Hughes Road in
the Dublin Circle area. Sporadic tree damage was noted north of
Eastview Drive through the Kensington Drive vicinity. It is
believed the tornado likely dissipated before reaching Slaughter
Road.

Further details and data from this event may be released as they
become available.


.South Athens Tornado...

Rating:                 EF1
Estimated Peak Wind:    105 mph
Path Length /statute/:  2.76 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   160 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             05/20/2025
Start Time:             06:11 PM CDT
Start Location:         3 WSW Athens / Limestone County / AL
Start Lat/Lon:          34.7749 / -87.0065

End Date:               05/20/2025
End Time:               06:13 PM CDT
End Location:           Athens / Limestone County / AL
End Lat/Lon:            34.7824 / -86.9604

Survey Summary:
A National Weather Service Huntsville, AL survey team has
concluded that damage observed in the Athens area resulted from an
EF-1 tornado. The tornado produced maximum estimated wind speeds
of 105 mph.

The tornado likely initiated south of Highway 72, between York
Lane and Lucas Ferry Road. Significant impacts were observed near
the intersection of Lucas Ferry Road and Sanderfer Road, where
numerous wooden power poles were snapped, and cross members were
broken. Uprooted trees and additional snapped power poles were
documented along Sanderfer Road.The tornado tracked in an east-
northeast direction, continuing through the Jefferson Road and
Highway 72 vicinity. It is believed to have lifted shortly after
crossing this area.

Barron/Irwin


.Killingsworth Cove Tornado...

Rating:                 EF2
Estimated Peak Wind:    134 mph
Path Length /statute/:  1.41 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   175 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             05/20/2025
Start Time:             07:07 PM CDT
Start Location:         4 N Gurley / Madison County / AL
Start Lat/Lon:          34.765 / -86.376

End Date:               05/20/2025
End Time:               07:11 PM CDT
End Location:           5 N Gurley / Madison County / AL
End Lat/Lon:            34.7715 / -86.3526

Survey Summary:
The same supercell that marched across North Central Alabama and
produced several tornadoes was responsible for EF2 tornado damage
in the Killingsworth Cove area in Eastern Madison County,
consistent with 134 mph winds along a 1.4 mile long path (pending
additional updates later this week).

The tornado touched down on Acuff Road, downing a large swath of
hardwood trees just east of Boulder Trail. A barn sustained roof
damage here as well, with some uplifting of the roof and peeling
back of a few pieces of tin. From here, the tornado snapped and
uprooted numerous hardwood trees as it moved across the field
toward structures on Killingsworth Cove Road. Here, the tornado
had its strongest winds and was at its widest point: 134mph winds
and 175 yards. A mobile home was completely destroyed at this
location, hurling the mangled frame 150-200 yards from its
original location. Thankfully, the family got the tornado warning
and left the home to take shelter in the community shelter at the
KCVFD less than a mile away. Debris from the destroyed mobile home
was strewn about 225-250 yards across the street and into the
field leading to JB Hawkins Road. Two other structures at this
location sustained damage. The home next door was just outside the
funnel and had significant roof damage, as well as projectiles
that penetrated the side of the home in two locations. A resident
was inside at the time and sheltered after receiving the warning,
and thankfully was not injured. On the other side of the path on
the corner of Killingsworth Cove Road and JB Hawkins Road, another
home sustained major structural damage. Only portions of walls
were left standing of the home, but survey teams discovered that
no anchor bolts were used to attach the home to the foundation.
All portions of the bases of walls that were investigated were toe
nailed down, owing to the damage sustained at this location.
Further to the northeast, widespread tree damage was noted on JB
Hawkins Road as the tornado dissipated briefly climbing the
elevated terrain behind the home at the end of the path here.

The tornado most likely continued into Jackson County, but survey
teams weren`t able to continue the path into the neighboring
county today. Additional changes and extensions to this track are
likely in the coming days. While the strength of the tornado
likely won`t change, the extent of the path is still being
investigated via drone footage being sent to NWS Huntsville, and
subsequent updates are expected later this week.

Special thanks to Madison County EMA, linemen from Huntsville
Utilities, and members of the Madison County Sheriffs Office for
their assistance on the storm survey today.

Amin/Saari


.Ford City, Red Bank, and Lake Wheeler Survey...

Assessment:             Straight-line wind damage
Estimated Peak Wind:    105 mph
Average Wind Speeds:    70-90 mph
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               2

Survey Summary:

A storm survey team from the NWS Huntsville office traveled across
far western Limestone, southeastern Lauderdale, northern Lawrence,
and northern Colbert county to assess reported damage from storms
on May 20th, 2025. An initial area of damage was sporadic uprooted
trees in Sheffield. Additional trees were uprooted in the TVA
Reservation northeast of Muscle Shoals, where one tree fell on a
moving vehicle and injured the driver. No consistent track was
present before additional uprooted trees were found along E 2nd
Street in Nitrate City. Continued sporadic tree damage was found
north and east going up County Line Road toward Ford City, at
which point a concentrated area of uprooted trees all facing
eastward was identified along River Road. North of River Road, a
large swath of uprooted trees was noted along Gargis Hollow and
Sprout Springs Hollow Roads. The peak wind intensity of 105 mph
occurred on Sprout Springs Hollow Road where two silos collapsed.
One injury occurred along Gargis Hollow road when a tree fell on a
home, causing sheet rock to fall on an 8-year-old girl, resulting
in minor injuries that did not require hospitalization.

Farther east, a large swath of uprooted trees and snapped limbs
was identified along Mount Stanley Road, a much larger north to
south spread than damage identified elsewhere. All tree damage
was pointing eastward. Sporadic tree damage continued to the east
south of Wheeler Lake Dam and into the Red Bank community with no
consistent path easily identifiable. Other pockets of damage were
noted in Limestone County along Snake and Elk River Roads, and
then in Lauderdale County near Elgin. Again, no identifiable track
was noted.

Comparing this damage to radar imagery, the hook echoes of the
supercells and potential tornadic circulations passed south of
these aforementioned damage areas. As a result, the conclusion is
that all of this damage is the result of an enhanced forward flank
downdraft from the multiple supercells that tracked across the
region on Tuesday evening. This remains preliminary and subsequent
drone and satellite imagery will supplement additional ground
survey efforts to identify if any tornado tracks are embedded
within the broader thunderstorm wind damage.

Darish/Magee

&&

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.



$$