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146 NOUS44 KBMX 300110 PNSBMX ALZ011>015-017>050-301315- Public Information Statement National Weather Service Birmingham AL 810 PM CDT Mon Mar 29 2021 ...NWS Damage Survey for 03/25/21 Tornado Event - Update # 4... .Update...Added Nanafalia tornado in Marengo County. Updated survey summaries for Sawyerville-Centreville-Columbiana, Lake Mitchell, and Sikesville-Wehadkee tornadoes. Minor track adjustments. .Overview... Numerous supercells, some producing long track strong tornadoes, tracked along and south of the I-20/59 corridor during the afternoon and evening hours on Thursday, March 25th. The tornadoes produced extensive property damage, many injuries, and multiple fatalities. 11 tornadoes have been confirmed so far. This includes 4 EF3 tornadoes, 3 EF2 tornadoes, 3 EF1 tornadoes, and 1 EF0 tornado. Potential areas left to survey: Northern Jefferson/Blount Counties. .Tornado #1 Elliotts Creek Tornado (Hale and Tuscaloosa Counties)... Rating: EF3 Estimated Peak Wind: 140 mph Path Length /statute/: 11.15 miles Path Width /maximum/: 1400 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 03/25/2021 Start Time: 12:16 PM CDT Start Location: 4 NE Havana / Hale County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 32.9386 / -87.5753 End Date: 03/27/2021 End Time: 12:29 PM CDT End Location: 2 NW Low Gap / Tuscaloosa County / AL End Lat/Lon: 33.0076 / -87.4027 Survey Summary: NWS Birmingham survey personnel found evidence of a tornado damage path in northeast Hale County. The tornado initially began in a heavily wooded area northeast of Gabriel Creek Rd and moved northeast. RADAR imagery suggests the tornado quickly intensified. Farther downstream, significant timber damage was observed on County Rd 50, as well as National Forest Rd 706. This timber damage was quite impressive and very wide at many points with both hardwood and softwood trees snapped and uprooted. The magnitude of timber damage suggested winds of 140 mph after consultation with experts. The tornado continued northeast causing further damage to a large swath of the Talladega National Forest in far northeast Hale County. It is believed the tornado dissipated shortly after crossing National Forest Rd 721, just into Tuscaloosa County, per aerial imagery provided by Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Helicopter footage. .Tornado #2 West Blocton-North Shelby Tornado (Bibb, Shelby, and St. Clair Counties)... Rating: EF3 Estimated Peak Wind: 140 mph Path Length /statute/: 50.36 miles Path Width /maximum/: 1100 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 5 Start Date: 03/25/2021 Start Time: 12:53 PM CDT Start Location: 3 SW West Blocton / Bibb County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 33.1157 / -87.1707 End Date: 03/25/2021 End Time: 02:02 PM CDT End Location: 2 SSE Camp Winnataska / St. Clair County / AL End Lat/Lon: 33.5047 / -86.4381 Survey Summary: This long track tornado formed along Bibb County Highway 24 west of Highway 5. The tornado moved northeastward, crossing Highway 5 northwest of West Blocton, causing tree and shingle damage. The tornado strengthened to EF2 intensity as it moved northeastward into a wooded area where numerous trees were snapped. The tornado weakened to EF0 to EF1 intensity as it crossed into Shelby County south of Shelby County Highway 13, continuing to down trees. It continued to move northeastward through a wooded area along the Cahaba River, paralleling County Highway 13. As the tornado moved into Helena, it caused shingle damage to several homes in the neighborhoods near Old Cahaba Parkway and Hillsboro Parkway. A house that was under construction also collapsed. The tornado intensified again as it crossed Buck Creek near Old Town Helena, snapping numerous trees and causing roof damage. A couple homes near Cunningham Drive suffered partial roof loss. The tornado weakened as it crossed New Hope Mountain near Pelham High School, but reintensified to EF2 intensity along Crosscreek Trail and Wilderness Road in Pelham. Roofs were removed from four homes with collapse of an exterior wall on two of them, with many other homes suffering varying degrees of roof damage. The tornado also caused several trees to fall on homes in the Chandalar neighborhood. The tornado weakened somewhat by the time it crossed Highway 31 but still damaged the roofs of several businesses and mobile homes while uprooting trees. It began to strengthen again after crossing Interstate 65, paralleling Highway 119 through the south side of Indian Springs Village and far northern portions of Oak Mountain State Park. It continued to uproot or snap numerous trees and continued to cause roof damage to residences. Pockets of EF2 damage were found in neighborhoods south of Heardmont Park and near Oak Mountain Elementary and Intermediate Schools, with significant damage to residences from falling trees and partial roof loss. Significant timber damage with some damage to structures was also noted near the lakes at the north gate to Oak Mountain State Park. The most significant structural damage along the path occurred in the Eagle Point neighborhood just before Highway 280. Several homes suffered complete roof loss, a couple homes suffered collapse of exterior walls, and all walls collapsed for one home on Eagle Valley Drive. The majority of the other homes in the path in this neighborhood suffered varying degrees of roof damage, with numerous trees snapped. After crossing Highway 280, the tornado continued to down numerous trees as it moved over Oak Mountain. It caused roof damage along Highland View Drive and in the Highland Lakes neighborhood, including complete roof loss to a residence on Grove Park Way. Varying degrees of roof damage also occurred in the Greystone Farms neighborhood, with significant roof loss on several homes. The tornado crossed Dunnavant Valley Road and caused significant timber damage at Shoal Creek Country Club, and complete roof loss for another residence. The tornado then moved into a wooded area as it crossed Double Oak Mountain, continuing to down numerous trees and reaching a maximum elevation around 1450 ft. It crossed Highway 25 near Vandiver and then began to parallel Shelby County Highway 43, causing roof damage to residences and completely destroying a manufactured home on Crabapple Lane. The tornado finally dissipated along Wolf Creek Road just past the St. Clair County line after being on the ground for 50 miles. .Tornado #3 Cochrane Tornado (Pickens County)... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 90 mph Path Length /statute/: 5.63 miles Path Width /maximum/: 515 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 03/25/2021 Start Time: 01:36 PM CDT Start Location: 6 SW Cochrane / Pickens County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 33.0207 / -88.3368 End Date: 03/26/2021 End Time: 01:42 PM CDT End Location: 1 WNW Cochrane / Pickens County / AL End Lat/Lon: 33.0701 / -88.2603 Survey Summary: The tornado formed just across the Mississippi state line in Noxubee County where it was observed on video in an open field. Damage mainly consisted of snapped and uprooted trees as it moved northeastward across Boyd Road and Highway 32 as an EF1 tornado. An irrigation pivot was also knocked over. A residence on Perry Long Road sustained partial roof damage right before the tornado dissipated. Special thanks to WFO Jackson for completing this survey. .Tornado #4 Ohatchee-Wellington Tornado (Calhoun County)... Rating: EF3 Estimated Peak Wind: 140 mph Path Length /statute/: 24.31 miles Path Width /maximum/: 1700 yards Fatalities: 5 Injuries: TBD Start Date: 03/25/2021 Start Time: 02:32 PM CDT Start Location: 4 SE Ragland / Calhoun County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 33.7026 / -86.1053 End Date: 03/25/2021 End Time: 03:06 PM CDT End Location: 4 N Jacksonville State University / Calhoun County / AL End Lat/Lon: 33.8859 / -85.7529 Survey Summary: Not yet available. .Tornado #5 Piedmont Tornado (Cherokee County)... Rating: EF0 Estimated Peak Wind: 75 mph Path Length /statute/: 3.57 miles Path Width /maximum/: 200 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 03/25/2021 Start Time: 03:20 PM CDT Start Location: 2 N Piedmont / Cherokee County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 33.9656 / -85.6163 End Date: 03/25/2021 End Time: 03:24 PM CDT End Location: 1 S Spring Garden / Cherokee County / AL End Lat/Lon: 33.9642 / -85.5567 Survey Summary: A brief EF0 tornado moved through far southern Cherokee County just north of Piedmont. Damage consisted of minor tree and shingle damage. The tornado formed along Highway 9 and moves along Cherokee County Road 2, continuing eastward and then a little southward before dissipating along Cherokee County Road 27 just west of Highway 278. .Tornado #6 Clinton Tornado (Greene County)... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 100 mph Path Length /statute/: 12.05 miles Path Width /maximum/: 600 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 03/25/2021 Start Time: 03:57 PM CDT Start Location: 2 WNW I 20 Rest Area Near Eutaw / Greene County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 32.8781 / -87.9756 End Date: 03/27/2021 End Time: 04:16 PM CDT End Location: 1 WSW Knoxville / Greene County / AL End Lat/Lon: 32.9888 / -87.816 Survey Summary: This EF1 tornado formed along County Road 174 and crossed Highway 14 between Clinton and Eutaw. It continued northeastward, snapping numerous trees along County Road 181 and County Road 199. The tornado then weakened with sparse damage, but based on storm chaser reports and tree damage on County Road 218 it did not dissipate until it was southwest of Knoxville. Special thanks to WFO Jackson for completing this survey. ..Tornado #7 Sawyerville-Centreville-Columbiana Tornado (Hale, Perry, Bibb, Chilton and Shelby Counties)... Rating: EF3 Estimated Peak Wind: 150 mph Path Length /statute/: 80.38 miles Path Width /maximum/: 2300 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 13 Start Date: 03/25/2021 Start Time: 4:26 PM CDT Start Location: 3 N Duffys Bend / Hale County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 32.6892 / -87.7387 End Date: 03/25/2021 End Time: 6:04 PM CDT End Location: 3 WSW Wilsonville / Shelby County / AL End Lat/Lon: 33.2209 / -86.5249 Survey Summary: A strong, long-track tornado scarred the landscape across Hale, Perry, Bibb, Chilton, and Shelby Counties during the afternoon of March 25, 2021. It is estimated that the tornado had a 98 minute life span, with a path length of 80 miles and a width upwards of 2,300 yards, or 1.3 miles. It’s impossible to know the exact number but, to put it in perspective, tens and tens of thousands of trees were snapped or uprooted. The volume and extent of snapped trees was incredible, pushing the rating to EF-3, around 150 mph. This is mainly for the portion of the track from Hale to Perry to Bibb Counties. Along the tornado’s path, hundreds and hundreds of residences were damaged or destroyed, either directly by wind or due to fallen trees. At least 13 injuries occurred. Many people we spoke to during the damage survey stated they received the tornado warning and took shelter in a storm pit, interior room, or left their vulnerable residence for a sturdier building. This action certainly saved lives. The tornado began along Highway 17 just south of Sawyerville in Hale County. The tornado rapidly gained strength and widened as it neared and crossed Highway 14. Across Hale County, a swath of hardwood and softwood trees were downed. Some debarking was observed just south of Highway 14, probably from high-velocity debris throwing. Five Y-shaped transmission towers were downed on the north side of Highway 14. These towers are rated for 120+ mph winds according to Alabama Power. It is unknown whether this was due to a domino effect or direct blowdown of each tower. Either way, a powerful tornado occurred. Residential damage included wall collapse, roofing torn off, shifting off of foundation, or total structural loss. There were 6 relatively minor injuries in Hale County. The max rating for the Hale County portion of the track was EF-3. The tornado then crossed far northern Perry County. Just inside the county line, along County Road 51, a mobile home was destroyed with a site-built home on the same property sustaining roof loss and some shifting of the crawl space foundation. Extensive downing of trees continued, and was especially impressive when viewed from the national forest in the eastern part of the county due to visibility from hills. Trees were snapped and uprooted not only in the valley but also along the side of the hills, which really showed the reach of this tornado. Structural damage was most apparent in the vicinity of the confluence of County Road 23, Salem Church Road, and County Road 154 in the north-central part of the county. In this area, mobile homes were destroyed, with 1 site-built home having roof loss and exterior wall failure, with another sustaining roof loss and some warping of the wood framing from wind entry. A nearby church had roof loss with an adjacent metal building sustaining a lot of damage consisting significant peeling of paneling and structure warping from wind entry. Other structural damage occurred along the path as well. The max rating for the Perry County portion of the track was EF-3. Bibb County was next in line. The theme of extensive downed trees carried on. Views atop hills in western Bibb County really captured the breadth of this tornado. There were three primary areas of concentrated structural damage. Along Belcher Road, anchoring to a metal building used for farm equipment failed, sending the structure crashing into an adjacent house. Across the field, a site-built home had sections of roof removed and its open-face garage blown away, with an adjacent farm building collapsed. In Centreville city limits, snapped trees were prevalent near the Cahaba River. Along Montgomery Road east of town, heavy damage occurred. Mobile homes were crushed by fallen trees and site-built homes had roof damage. Interestingly, there was a site-built home, surrounded by snapped trees, that sustained some shingle loss and apparent shifting of the roofline and chimney. Considering the extent of tree damage on all sides, the house held up quite well. In Ashby, along Buzzard Road, several mobile homes were destroyed. Anchoring was not apparent, though at least one of the mobile homes was thrown a fair distance. Site-built homes on the same street suffered light to heavy roof damage but were still standing. The tornado warning was received and several residents along this road took shelter in a brick home, which had relatively light damage. Other structural damage occurred along the path. There were 5 relatively minor injuries in Bibb County. The max rating for the Bibb County portion of the track was EF-3. The tornado then moved through far northwest Chilton County, crossing County Road 73 and Highway 155. Trees were downed and structures damaged. The max rating for the Chilton County portion of the track was EF-1. Shelby County was the last county to be affected by this tornado. The tornado moved into southern Calera, downing trees and blowing away an unanchored mobile home along County Road 67. Residents at this location left their mobile home after hearing of the tornado warning. This action likely saved their life as nothing was left. The tornado then crossed Interstate 65 and moved into a large neighborhood along and northeast of Timberline Drive. The majority of structural damage was confined to shingle and siding loss; however, at least 3 homes had portions of their roof removed, 2 of them significant in nature. Next, mostly rural areas were hit between Columbiana and Calera, south of Highway 70. The last area of notable damage was in Columbiana. Locations from Mooney Road to Mardis Ferry Road / adjacent roads had many trees downed. Numerous homes were heavily damaged by fallen trees more-so than directly from wind. There were a couple of exceptions, such as a site-built home just east of the intersection of Looney Road and Shelby Road that had a section of roofing removed and the garage blown away, probably enhanced by wind entry in a vulnerable location. Several mobile homes were impacted near the intersection of Alston Farm Road and Mardis Ferry Road. Most sustained roofing damage or were crushed by fallen trees. One unanchored mobile home was blown away, with 2 injuries that required hospitalization. Other structures were damaged along the path as well. The tornado then quickly weakened, and seems to have ended as it approached Highway 25 after crossing County Road 7. The max rating for the Shelby County portion of the track was EF-1. .Tornado #8 South Roebuck Tornado (Jefferson County)... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 90 mph Path Length /statute/: 4.78 miles Path Width /maximum/: 700 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 03/25/2021 Start Time: 04:48 PM CDT Start Location: 1 NW Ruffner Mountain / Jefferson County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 33.5686 / -86.707 End Date: 03/25/2021 End Time: 04:53 PM CDT End Location: 1 N Alton / Jefferson County / AL End Lat/Lon: 33.6015 / -86.6361 Survey Summary: An EF1 tornado formed near the intersection of 8th Ave S and 85th St S in the South Eastlake and South Highlands neighborhoods of northeast Birmingham. It continued northeast into the South Roebuck neighborhood uprooting numerous trees. It made a jog eastward as it crossed the northern end of Ruffner mountain, continuing to uproot and snap numerous trees as it traveled between Highway 11 and Interstate 59 in the Roebuck Plaza neighborhood. The tornado crossed Interstate 459 and dissipated as it reached the Jefferson Memorial Gardens on the southwest side of Trussville. Around 42 homes were damaged, almost all by falling trees. .Tornado #9 Nanafalia Tornado (Marengo County)... Rating: EF2 Estimated Peak Wind: 115 mph Path Length /statute/: 9.54 miles Path Width /maximum/: 250 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 03/25/2021 Start Time: 07:14 PM CDT Start Location: 2 ESE Lavaca / Marengo County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 32.1233 / -88.0426 End Date: 03/25/2021 End Time: 07:26 PM CDT End Location: 1 ESE Half Acre / Marengo County / AL End Lat/Lon: 32.1834 / -87.8964 Survey Summary: The tornado crossed the Tombigbee River from Choctaw County and widened and intensified. It produced significant damage on S Riverview Ln, just south of AL Highway 10. In this area, an older single wide mobile home was destroyed with the frame tossed at least 50 yards to the east. The river camp owner called the three residents of the mobile home and told the residents to shelter in a sturdier building which they did. In addition, a large storage building was also destroyed. Significant tree damage was noted in the area with several hardwood and softwoods snapped and uprooted. In this area, the tornado is estimated to have been at low end EF-2 intensity with winds around 115 mph. The tornado continued northeast and crossed Highway 10, producing substantial tree damage and also heavily damaging one barn and destroying another. The tornado continued to produce substantial tree damage as it crossed Highway 69. As the tornado moved east of Highway 69, the road network did not allow the survey team to assess the damage over a large forested area. However, damage was noted along Highway 17, north of Beaver Creek Road. It is not known how much further to the northeast the tornado continued due to no road access, but the tornado did not reach Highway 43. Special thanks to NWS Mobile for completing this survey. .Tornado #10 Lake Mitchell Tornado (Chilton and Coosa Counties)... Rating: EF2 Estimated Peak Wind: 115 mph Path Length /statute/: 14.73 miles Path Width /maximum/: 800 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 03/25/2021 Start Time: 09:01 PM CDT Start Location: 2 NNW Cooper / Chilton County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 32.8086 / -86.5578 End Date: 03/25/2021 End Time: 09:21 PM CDT End Location: 1 ENE Lyle / Coosa County / AL End Lat/Lon: 32.8913 / -86.3254 Survey Summary: A tornado touched down in Chilton county on the eastern side of Clanton last Thursday evening. The tornado first touched down along CR 495 with minor tree damage. The tornado moved east northeast producing mainly minor tree damage and some structural damage as it crossed CR 97. The tornado then tracked across mainly inaccessible forest land before producing notable tree damage along CR 480 and then crossing Lake Mitchell into Coosa County. Substantial tree damage, with many hardwood and softwood trees snapped, was noted along Little Airplane Road, CR 121, and Bluff Road. Several houses along Little Airplane Road had roof and structural damage with one right along the lakefront sustaining more substantial damage. A home along Bluff Road appeared to lose much of its roof, top floor, and walls. At this point, the tornado reached its maximum intensity of EF-2 at 115 mph. The tornado continued to move northeast along the far southern extent of Lake Mitchell producing tree damage and some structural damage along the lakeshore. The tornado weakened notably as it moved east of Lake Mitchell with more minor tree damage noted along CR 29. The tornado snapped some limbs along CR 188 before lifting just east of Herb Valley Drive. .Tornado #11 Sikesville-Wehadkee Tornado (Clay and Randolph Counties)... Rating: EF2 Estimated Peak Wind: 125 mph Path Length /statute/: 27.39 miles Path Width /maximum/: 1000 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 03/25/2021 Start Time: 09:59 PM CDT Start Location: 3 WSW Motley / Clay County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 33.1102 / -85.7074 End Date: 03/25/2021 End Time: 10:33 PM CDT End Location: 1 W Waresville / Randolph County / AL End Lat/Lon: 33.2296 / -85.2634 Survey Summary: A strong tornado touched down in extreme southeast Clay county last Thursday evening. The tornado first touched down along Hodge Creek Road producing extensive timber damage including snapping and uprooting of large swaths of trees. Some minor structural damage was also noted in this area. The tornado moved northeast producing extensive tree damage in the Sikesville community. Numerous homes here also received minor to moderate roof damage. One home sustained major damage with all but one wall collapsed. The tornado nearly paralleled County Line Road as it moved into Randolph County. All along CR 836, swaths of hardwood trees were either uprooted or snapped. The tornado widened once again as it approached CR 77. Here the tornado carved a wide path over mainly forested areas with some damage to barns and agricultural buildings. A chicken house on CR 845 was completely destroyed. Substantial damage was noted in the Corinth community in southwest Randolph county. Along CR 43, a row of conventional homes had minor to moderate damage. Many homes in this area sustained complete loss of roof structure and blown out windows. The Corinth Fire Department was also damaged in this area. The tornado continued to move northeast, snapping trees and powerlines along CR 33 and CR 26. Homes in this area also received damage, mostly to roof structures. Homes were damaged along CR 65 just west of US Highway 431. Once the tornado crossed Highway 431, it produced extensive damage to homes and structures along CR 61 and CR 700. Several homes here had their roofs removed and trees were snapped near the base. Further east near CR 59, a 100 year old log cabin was mostly destroyed with only a couple of walls left standing. Tree damage in this area was also extensive.Additional trees and power lines continued to be snapped along CR 16 and CR 87. A large farm building was destroyed near CR 701 and several chicken houses were also destroyed in this area. The tornado weakened notably east of CR 87 before lifting near CR 296 just west of the state line. && EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories: EF0...Weak......65 to 85 mph EF1...Weak......86 to 110 mph EF2...Strong....111 to 135 mph EF3...Strong....136 to 165 mph EF4...Violent...166 to 200 mph EF5...Violent...>200 mph NOTE: The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to change pending final review of the events and publication in NWS Storm Data. $$