EF3 Tornado — Washington, Alabama

2022-11-30 · near Fruitdale, Washington, Alabama

Event narrative

The tornado began near Highway 57 in Greene County where several softwood tree trunks were snapped. It continued on an east northeast track producing damage along Nursery Road. The track continued into Washington County Alabama. The tornado crossed Highway 45 and hit Fruitdale High School where windows were damaged along with roof damage to the school and nearby houses. Widespread tree and power line damage was also observed in the Fruitdale area. The damage in Fruitdale is estimated to have been in the high EF-1 range with winds 105-110 mph. The tornado continued northeast and strengthened as it approached Baxter McIllwain Road. This is where the tornado reached peak intensity. Based on the ground survey, a nearly 500 yard swath of major tree damage was observed with countless hardwood and softwood trees destroyed. The EF-3 peak intensity (140 mph) is based on this swath of major tree damage. The tornado continued to track eastward through Tibbie with more significant to major tree damage (EF-2 intensity), along with roof damage observed along Leo and Boyd Willie Parnell Road. The tornado weakened as it moved east across Howardtown Road and dissipated east of Clarke Place Road. The tornado path received many cosmetic changes based on high resolution Planet and Worldview satellite imagery. The peak width was updated to be 700 yards.

Wider weather episode

A very warm and moist airmass developed ahead of a strong cold front. Thunderstorms developed ahead of the front and produced damaging winds along with a EF3 tornado that tracked from Greene County Mississippi into Washington County in Alabama.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (31.3390, -88.4440)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1061361. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.