Public Information Statement
Issued by NWS Huntsville, AL
Issued by NWS Huntsville, AL
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. $$