Public Information Statement
Issued by NWS Huntsville, AL
Issued by NWS Huntsville, AL
248 NOUS44 KHUN 240013 CCB PNSHUN ALZ001>010-016-TNZ076-096-097-241045- Public Information Statement...CORRECTED National Weather Service Huntsville AL 713 PM CDT Fri May 23 2025 ...NWS Damage Survey for 05/20/2025 Tornado Event - Update #9... .Correction...A correction was made to the path width in the summary of the Killingsworth Cove Tornado. .Update...Added four tracks for three new tornadoes and one waterspout. The Ford City Tornado, The Dement Branch Tornado, The Priceville Tornado, and the Wheeler Lake Waterspout. We removed the thunderstorms wind damage that was previously included for the Ford City area due to the addition of the tornado. Minor corrections to dates and times were made for consistency. .Ford City Tornado ... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 105 mph Path Length /statute/: 17.74 miles Path Width /maximum/: 575 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 1 Start Date: 05/20/2025 Start Time: 05:10 PM CDT Start Location: 5 S Killen / Colbert County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 34.7874 / -87.5347 End Date: 05/20/2025 End Time: 05:39 PM CDT End Location: 3 SE Rogersville / Limestone County / AL End Lat/Lon: 34.7918 / -87.2351 Survey Summary: An NWS Storm Survey team assessed damage across northern Colbert, northern Lawrence, far southeast Lauderdale, and western Limestone county and found numerous trees down. This was initially reported as thunderstorm wind damage due to the widespread nature of the damage with the potential for embedded tornadic damage. Supplemental drone imagery courtesy of Lauderdale and Colbert EMA has led to just that: the addition of this tornado track from Ford City through Red Bank, crossing the Tennessee River at Wheeler Lake, tracking south of Rogersville, and then into far southwest Limestone county. The reason for transitioning into tornadic damage as opposed to thunderstorm wind damage is the drone imagery indicating circular ground scarring, more convergent tree fall patterns, and very concentrated damage paths within the broad tree damage that were difficult to ascertain from the ground survey. The tornado touched down near Ford City where initial tree limbs snapped then rapidly began uprooting numerous trees north of River Road. Several trees were uprooted on River Road, but these were all facing to the east and determined to be inflow winds. One of these trees fell on a home and the drywall fell and scratched a child, resulting in one injury. North of River Road, several trees were found uprooted along with two collapsed silos along Sprout Spring Hollow Rd. These silos had been in place since the 1930s and were completely destroyed, marking the maximum intensity of 105 mph. The tornado then tracked east-southeast toward Foster Mills and Red Bank, uprooting numerous trees along its path and snapping large limbs. After crossing the Tennessee River at Wheeler Lake, the tornado crossed south of Rogersville where both EMA and storm spotter provided drone imagery indicating a narrow path of snapped and uprooted trees. After crossing the Elk River, the tornado began lifting along Snake Road and Little Elk Road in Limestone county where large limbs were snapped and then the tops of trees. An incredible thank you to Lauderdale county EMA for providing the drone imagery, and thank you to EMA in Colbert, Lawrence, and Limestone for their coordination with the several surveys in their area. Darish/Magee ..Wheeler Lake Waterspout... Rating: EFU Estimated Peak Wind: Unknown Path Length /statute/: 2.19 miles Path Width /maximum/: 25 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 05/20/2025 Start Time: 05:51 PM CDT Start Location: 4 NE Hillsboro / Lawrence County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 34.6851 / -87.1256 End Date: 05/20/2025 End Time: 05:57 PM CDT End Location: 6 N Trinity / Limestone County / AL End Lat/Lon: 34.69 / -87.0876 Survey Summary: A waterspout developed over Wheeler Reservoir south of the Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant. The waterspout moved east-northeast towards Round Island Creek Public Use Area. At least two citizen videos from the Black Landing area confirmed the waterspout and its movement. .Dement Branch Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 100 mph Path Length /statute/: 0.87 miles Path Width /maximum/: 65 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 05/20/2025 Start Time: 06:09 PM CDT Start Location: 4 E Rogersville / Limestone County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 34.8125 / -87.208 End Date: 05/20/2025 End Time: 06:10 PM CDT End Location: 5 E Rogersville / Limestone County / AL End Lat/Lon: 34.8075 / -87.194 Survey Summary: An NWS Huntsville Survey team along with Limestone County Emergency Management was able to determine an EF-1 tornado impacting an area between HWY 72 and Cox Rd resulting from the storms on 5/20/25. This brief tornado touched down around 6:09 PM along Dement Rd where drone imagery showed a tree down. The tornado continued east moving over mainly wooded areas. Drone imagery showed multiple trees and large branches down continuing east from Dement Rd, parallel to HWY 72. Based on Drone imagery, the tornado had a maximum intensity of EF-1 with a wind speed of 100 MPH, with a maximum width of 64 yards. After moving across a property north of HWY 72, the tornado lifted just before Cox Rd at around 6:10 PM. Thank you to Limestone County EMA for their drone imagery that supplemented this survey. Darish/Magee .Priceville Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 105 mph Path Length /statute/: 11.02 miles Path Width /maximum/: 540 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 05/20/2025 Start Time: 06:52 PM CDT Start Location: 4 SW Flint City / Morgan County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 34.4683 / -87.0294 End Date: 05/20/2025 End Time: 07:00 PM CDT End Location: 1 NNE Priceville / Morgan County / AL End Lat/Lon: 34.5366 / -86.8782 Survey Summary: An NWS Huntsville Survey team was able to identify an EF- 1 tornado in Morgan county in the Hartselle to Priceville area from the storms on 5/20/25. The tornado started near Rocky Ford Road and continued east toward HWY 31. Several large branches were found down along with trees uprooted along Van Bridge Rd. A tree was found snapped at the trunk along this road (Vaughn Bridge Rd) indicating the location where the tornado reached its maximum intensity of EF-1 with a wind speed of 105 MPH. NE of Vaughn Bridge the tornado reached its maximum width where several large branches were found spanning 540 yards. The tornado continued east crossing HWY 31 and then took a NE turn with several large branches down along Indian Hills Rd. The track continued NE crossing I-65 and ventured into Priceville. Several large branches were again found on various streets north of Point Mallard Pkwy SE eventually lifting along Cove Springs Rd. Of note is the tornado track north of Hartselle is displaced south of the hook echo on radar imagery. Tornadoes this evening had a rope appearance, causing the damage at the ground to be displaced from the circulation in radar imagery. Thank you to Morgan County EMA for their coordination with this survey. Darish/Magee .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. Barron/Irwin .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 .Monte Sano/Moontown Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 107 mph Path Length /statute/: 8.68 miles Path Width /maximum/: 280 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 05/20/2025 Start Time: 06:51 PM CDT Start Location: 4 NE Huntsville / Madison County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 34.7355 / -86.5645 End Date: 05/20/2025 End Time: 06:57 PM CDT End Location: 3 NW Gurley / Madison County / AL End Lat/Lon: 34.743 / -86.4145 Survey Summary: A tornado produced EF1 damage with 107 mph winds and was on the ground for 8.7 miles from the east side of the Blossomwood neighborhood, across Monte Sano Mountain, and then continuing on through Moontown and ending briefly in Brownsboro. This same supercell then produced the Killingsworth Cove tornado. Both satellite NVDI Difference Imagery concurrent with ALEA-provided aerial imagery of the damage path confirms that there was indeed a break in the two tracks, though they both spawned from the same supercell storm. The tornado began by snapping several hardwood and softwood trees on the Eastern side of Blossomwood in Huntsville, at the base of Monte Sano Mountain. Trees were downed and witness statements confirmed the tornado touchdown near the intersection of Randolph Avenue and Toll Gate Road. Further east, more widespread tree damage was noted on satellite imagery up the mountain at the end of Cleermont Drive near the Wildflower Hiking Trail. NVDI satellite imagery here shows that the tornado was about 400 yards wide at its widest point crossing overtop Monte Sano, snapping and uprooting large swaths of trees in Monte Sano State Park. The tornado traversed the leeward side of the mountain and continued producing tree damage in Moontown, south of the Moontown Airport along Moontown and Bob Hunt Roads, just west of the Flint River. After crossing the Flint River south of Hwy 72, the tornado began to weaken as it approached Madison County High School, downing several power poles to the east of the school on Brock Road. The tornado was then disrupted while crossing the terrain at this location, finally roping out and producing minor tree damage and minor damage to a barn in fields in the 1000-block of Salty Bottom Road. Radar data then shows the supercell then began to produce a secondary area of rotation to the northeast as it cycled once again, and this track would eventually become the Killingsworth Cove Road tornado that tracked into Jackson County. Amin/Saari .Killingsworth Cove Tornado... Rating: EF2 Estimated Peak Wind: 134 mph Path Length /statute/: 7.05 miles Path Width /maximum/: 400 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: 34.7649 / -86.3811 End Date: 05/20/2025 End Time: 07:17 PM CDT End Location: 8 WSW Skyline / Jackson County / AL End Lat/Lon: 34.7815 / -86.2609 Survey Summary: The same supercell that marched across North Central Alabama and produced several tornadoes was responsible for tornado damage in the Killingsworth Cove area in Eastern Madison County. 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 Killingworth Cove Road. Here, the tornado had its strongest winds and was at its widest point: 134 mph winds and 400 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. From this location, the tornado climbed the elevation behind the homes on JB Hawkins, snapping and uprooting large swaths of hardwood trees. The track was extended thanks to NVDI Difference Imagery that shows changes in vegetation in hard-to-reach places such as those without ample road networks. Aerial imagery was also utilized to confirm these findings, therefore extending the track by just over 5 miles in distance into Western Jackson County, AL (path length total of 7.06 miles). This tornado was a separate track from the Trenton tornado that survey teams also confirmed in the area this afternoon. Special thanks to Madison County EMA, Jackson County EMA, Alabama State EMA (ALEA) for flight imagery, linemen from Huntsville Utilities, and members of the Madison County Sheriffs Office for their assistance on the storm survey yesterday and today. Amin/Saari .Trenton Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 110 mph Path Length /statute/: 10.46 miles Path Width /maximum/: 275 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 05/20/2025 Start Time: 07:14 PM CDT Start Location: 7 WSW Skyline / Jackson County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 34.7522 / -86.2435 End Date: 05/20/2025 End Time: 07:28 PM CDT End Location: 3 ESE Skyline / Jackson County / AL End Lat/Lon: 34.7814 / -86.0666 Survey Summary: The tornado touched down just southeast of Hwy 65 in Trenton in Jackson County, AL, producing large limb damage on County Road 20. The tornado continued and strengthened along CR20, producing sporadic hardwood/softwood tree damage just north of Little Nashville. Trees were snapped and uprooted along the path, with several broken power poles observed about 2-2.5 miles down CR20. Tree damage and power pole damage here was the highest wind speed, 110 mph, at this location, concurrent with an EF1 tornado. Further northeast along the path, the tornado widened near an old community center near Guess Creek, maintaining the 110 mph wind speeds here. Several projectiles were noted impaled into the ground at this location, some of which were 2-3 feet into the ground. Large swaths of hardwood and softwood trees were also downed here, with a width estimated at 275 yards. Minor roof damage was also noted here, as well as an older outbuilding with the roof removed at this location. The tornado produced additional tree damage at a cemetery at the end of CR20 before traversing more terrain, producing additional damage at a farm downstream on County Road 17. Sporadic tree damage was found along CR 17 on Sleepy Lane, Wilkins Drive, and Pace Drive before crossing Hwy 79. Beyond Hwy 79, the tornado snapped and uprooted a few more isolated trees south of Maynard Cove before dissipating by County Road 28. Special thanks to Jackson County EMA, AL State EMA (ALEA) for flight imagery, and NVDI Difference Satellite imagery for confirmation of trees downed in hard-to-access locations without ample road networks. This aided survey teams tremendously this afternoon and was much appreciated. Amin/Saari .Section Tornado... Rating: EF0 Estimated Peak Wind: 80 mph Path Length /statute/: 6.09 miles Path Width /maximum/: 105 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 05/20/2025 Start Time: 08:47 PM CDT Start Location: Section / Jackson County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 34.5794 / -85.9819 End Date: 05/20/2025 End Time: 08:52 PM CDT End Location: 3 ESE Dutton / Jackson County / AL End Lat/Lon: 34.5837 / -85.8765 Survey Summary: A survey team from the NWS in Huntsville, AL, and the Jackson County EMA has concluded that an EF-0 tornado, with estimated peak winds of 80 mph, was responsible for minor damage in Section, AL. The tornado initiated its path near the HWY 71 and HWY 35 intersection, close to the Section baseball fields. Throughout its duration, the primary damage indicators included downed small and large tree branches. While two trees were uprooted, their expected wind resistance was reduced due to suspected rot. The tornado continued on an eastward trajectory, passing near CR 395 and subsequently crossing CR 372. It is believed to have lifted just west of the CR 123 and CR 47 intersection, near the border of Jackson and DeKalb counties. Barron .Allens Crossroads Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 100 mph Path Length /statute/: 3.39 miles Path Width /maximum/: 150 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 05/20/2025 Start Time: 08:46 PM CDT Start Location: 7 W Union Grove / Marshall County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 34.4243 / -86.5686 End Date: 05/20/2025 End Time: 08:50 PM CDT End Location: 4 WNW Union Grove / Marshall County / AL End Lat/Lon: 34.44 / -86.513 Survey Summary: An NWS Huntsville, AL survey team confirmed an EF-1 tornado in western Marshall County, near the Allens Crossroads area. Maximum estimated winds reached 100 mph. The tornado likely first touched down east of the Morgan County/Marshall County border, on the northern portion of the Cherokee Ridge Golf Course. Multiple uprooted hardwood trees were observed on several holes in this area. The tornado then progressed eastward, crossing Highway 431 and uprooting numerous trees along Allens Cross Road. Similar tree damage was documented further to the northeast along Quarry Road. The survey indicates the tornado lifted before reaching the community of Union Grove. Barron/Guillet/Pankratz .Crossville Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 93 mph Path Length /statute/: 6.00 miles Path Width /maximum/: 700 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 05/20/2025 Start Time: 09:33 PM CDT Start Location: Crossville / DeKalb County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 34.2848 / -85.991 End Date: 05/20/2025 End Time: 09:42 PM CDT End Location: 2 WNW Collinsville / DeKalb County / AL End Lat/Lon: 34.2835 / -85.8923 Survey Summary: This tornado began just east of Graves Street in the Crossville area, where a large tree was uprooted and a large branch (8 to 12 inches in diameter) was broken off of a tree 20 yards away. Additionally, a small porch on a nearby residence was damaged and lost most of its roofing. The tornado continued east just south and paralleling highway 68, uprooting sporadic trees and breaking off large tree branches along its way. More substantial roof damage occurred at a building associated with the Sand Mountain Research Extension Center off of CR 190. The tornado intensified at this location to EF1 intensity, collapsing the entire roof of the structure. Maximum peak winds of 93 mph were seen at this location. Here, the tornado continued on a eastward path and uprooted one very large tree and snapped another one from its base (though it had some rot to it). The tornado seemed to widen a bit more as it pushed east, but weakened again to EF0 intensity as it crossed CR 37. At this location, it did pick up a covering structure for hay and tossed it across a field. On the south end of the field, a small portion of one side of a barn was torn apart. The tornado then moved a bit more to the east northeast paralleling highway 68 as its path width decreased significantly to less than 300 yards. The EF0 tornado continued its path east to east-Southeast uprooting trees or snapping off large branches of trees before lifting just east of CR 84. Dixon/Weber .Mount Vernon Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 100 mph Path Length /statute/: 0.37 miles Path Width /maximum/: 250 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 05/20/2025 Start Time: 09:49 PM CDT Start Location: 4 NNW Sand Rock / DeKalb County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 34.2941 / -85.7893 End Date: 05/20/2025 End Time: 09:52 PM CDT End Location: 4 NNW Sand Rock / DeKalb County / AL End Lat/Lon: 34.2972 / -85.7839 Survey Summary: The supercell that produced a tornado earlier in Crossville produced another EF1 tornado that affected the Mount Vernon area. This tornado began just east of CR 83. At this location, one large tree was uprooted and a 3 to 5 inch branch was broken off of a tree 10 yards away. The tornado quickly moved northeast and strengthened to EF1 intensity as it approached highway 176. Near one residence, three healthy and large pine trees were partially uprooted and another was broken off in a different direction and fell onto a mobile home nearby. At this location, the snapped tree heavily damaged the roof of the residence and destroyed a carport. Just one house further northeast, a camper trailer (weighing approximately 5000 lbs) was lifted off its foundation and dragged 15 yards, before being flipped on its side. Peak winds of 100 mph were reached at this location. Additional minor tree limbs were seen snapped in the distance. Dixon/Weber .Monte Sano Thunderstorm Wind Damage... Assessment: Straight-line wind damage Estimated Peak Wind: 94 mph Average Wind Speeds: 80-90 mph Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Survey Summary: Just south of the tornado track that traversed Monte Sano Mountain, numerous trees were downed along Monte Sano Boulevard, Panorama Drive, Wildwood Drive, and Hutchens Avenue. Though this area sustained widespread tree damage with several falling onto houses, this area was not in the tornado path, but was in the inflow/rear flank downdraft (RFD) area of the supercell instead. Wind speeds in these locations were estimated around 90 mph. These inflow winds and RFD winds are very strong southerly winds flowing into the tornado path, which was just to the north. Several distance measurements were made and investigated between the tornado path itself, and this area of thunderstorm wind damage. Given that the combined distance was over a mile in width, this gives credence to two separate causes of the damage: one tornadic and one with very strong inflow. Weak tornadoes rarely exceed a few hundred yards in width, with thunderstorm wind damage swaths typically producing wider damage paths like the one that was surveyed along the aforementioned streets above. The average wind speeds of 80-90 mph with this damage is very similar to the average wind speeds of 80-100 mph with the tornado assessed to the north. This explains the similar nature of the damage and why there was some confusion as to whether or not the snapped and uprooted trees in these areas was the result of the tornado. Special thanks to Madison County EMA, NVDI Difference Satellite imagery, as well as numerous photos and videos from other partners and the public that aided survey crews in their investigation of these areas. Amin/Saari && 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 events and publication in NWS Storm Data. $$