Lightning — Marshall, Alabama

2025-05-20 · near Saratoga, Marshall, Alabama

Event narrative

Lightning struck the Albertville Public Library building sparking a fire causing significant roof damage resulting in severe water damage to the structure and inventory of books and furniture. As a result, the building is scheduled to be demolished.

Wider weather episode

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.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (34.2641, -86.2031)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1279114. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.