National Weather Service Raw Text Product

960 
NOUS44 KHUN 011902
PNSHUN
ALZ001>010-016-TNZ076-096-097-020715-

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
202 PM CDT Sat Apr 1 2023


...NWS Damage Survey for 4/1/2023 Tornado Event...

.Borderline Rd. Tornado...

Rating:                 EF3
Estimated Peak Wind:    160 mph
Path Length /statute/:  12.10 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   215.0 yards
Fatalities:             1
Injuries:               5

Start Date:             04/01/2023
Start Time:             03:09 AM CDT
Start Location:         3 NNW Hazel Green / Madison County / AL
Start Lat/Lon:          34.9746 / -86.5738

End Date:               04/01/2023
End Time:               03:25 AM CDT
End Location:           6 SW Huntland / Lincoln County / TN
End Lat/Lon:            35.0039 / -86.3648

Survey Summary:

A National Weather Service, Madison County EMA, and Lincoln
County EMA damage assessment team found evidence of an
EF3 tornado in Northern Madison County and Southeastern Lincoln
County. Peak winds were estimated at 160 mph on Borderline Rd.

The tornado began west of Highway 431 and south of Elkwood
Section Rd where multiple trees were uprooted and several trees fell
on homes. On the eastside of HWY 431, near the Lincoln Rd.
intersection, numerous structures were heavily damaged including multiple 
stores which sustained major damage. This includes a
collapse of walls and roofs displaced with debris
thrown eastward. Given the degree of damage at this location, a
mid-range EF3 rating was reported. The tornado tracked east-
northeast through Mulberry Rd. Along this path, the tornado
uprooted and snapped numerous trees and caused significant roof
damage to a single-family home. Unfortunately, the tornado
continued to intensify on route to Borderline Rd. which is along
the Alabama and Tennessee border. At this location, heavy damage
was noted where houses were heavily damaged and two homes
experienced a complete collapse of walls, destroying the
structures. One fatality was reported at a single-family home
along Borderline Rd. where the structure was destroyed. The
tornado's estimated peak wind of 160 mph was noted at the
intersection of Borderline Rd and Myers Rd where a newly
constructed, however not completed, home was destroyed with a
complete collapse of walls. The degree of damage at this location
was slightly lowered below expected values due an uncertainty in
the status of the garage, which was facing west. The tornado
continued eastward just north of the Stateline, paralleling
Borderline Road as it continued north/east. Sporadic trees were
uprooted and snapped south of Vanntown, crossing Hester Creek.
The tornado destroyed several farm/outbuildings housing farm
equipment from Mason Road eastward onto Echols Road. The tornado
was weakening at this point, and finally lifted just after it
crossed John Hunter Highway/Hwy 122 just south of Elora in far
southeastern Lincoln County. Tin was strewn into an open field in
this location, but no further tree/structural damage was noted
beyond the tree line near Collins Road and Mountain Road. 


&&

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 event and publication in NWS
Storm Data.

$$

Barron/Amin