EF1 Tornado — Dale, Alabama

2024-03-09 · near Mabson, Dale, Alabama

Event narrative

An NWS team conducted a combined aerial and ground survey. Aerial imagery indicated that the tornado touched down in a wooded area just west of Mabson Abry Road in Mabson, AL, snapping trees and causing significant damage to the roof of an outbuilding. The ground crew noted extensive tree damage along Mabson Abry Road, Caldonia Way and East County Road 36. A couple of utility poles were also snapped in this area. Aerial photographs indicated tree damage continued through a forested area between Mabson Abry Road and CR 33. The ground crew noted minor roof damage to a manufactured home near the intersection of Herman Strickland Road. Several more trees were snapped or uprooted further north along CR 33. Further east, more tree damage occurred on Herman Strickland Road where most of the structural damage was also noted. One home saw over 50% of its roofing material removed and a well-built outbuilding in the back yard had its doors blown in. The roof suffered some damage as well. Snapped trees were noted extending west into the woods. Further up the road, a home suffered the removal of its roof on the southern end of the house and the destruction of the back porch, much of which wound up on the roof. A large outbuilding in the back yard was shifted off its foundation. A neighboring home suffered similar damage to its house and large outbuilding. The tornado was at its strongest at this point with wind speeds estimated at 105 mph, which is EF-1 strength. Aerial photos indicated that tree damage occurred a bit further north along Herman Strickland Road and then east through a forested area, including the Cedar Creek, and then along CRs 335 and 337. The tornado then lifted before reaching Ward Creek.

Wider weather episode

A line of thunderstorms moved through the tri-state area ahead of a cold front. Severe weather and flash flooding accompanied this line, mainly across southeast Alabama and southwest Georgia, although a few trees were also blown down in northwest Florida. One tornado was reported in Dale County, AL, and another tornado briefly occurred in northeast Leon County, FL extending into Jefferson county, FL.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (31.4718, -85.5663)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1167762. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.