EF1 tornado in Dekalb County, Alabama

A tornado tracked about 1/3 of a mile just east of County Road (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 EF-1 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 lb) 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.

An outbreak of tornadoes, large hail, wind damage and flash flooding occurred during the afternoon and evening of the 20th. Fourteen tornadoes occurred in north Alabama, including 1 EF-0, 10 EF-1, 2 EF-2, and 1 EF-U (unknown) which was a waterspout on Wheeler Lake. One person was injured in Colbert County. There were also several reports of large hail, including baseball sized and larger in northern Lawrence and southeastern Lauderdale Counties. Damaging winds were also experienced as well with the severe thunderstorms. Lightning sparked a fire which resulted in severe structural and water damage and total loss to the Albertville Public Library which is scheduled to be demolished. There were two reports of flash flooding in Jackson County.