EF2 Tornado — Jackson, Alabama

2016-11-30 · near Roslie, Jackson, Alabama

Event narrative

Sporadic damage was first observed along CR-71, north of Pisgah with much more widespread tree and structure damage observed CR-71 and CR-60, entering into Rosalie, where the tornado was suspected to touch down. Numerous hardwood and pine softwood trees were observed to be uprooted or snapped along with several wooden power line poles snapped. As the tornado moved east-northeast, nearly on top of CR-71, roof damage was reported to a brick church. Additionally, a large two story wooden structure (used for church related receptions) was heavily damaged. Damage indicators for that structure were related to a small barn. EF-1 damage was recorded for the area around the church with winds approximately 100 mph.

EF-2 damage was observed nearly one quarter mile further ENE along CR-71. A long, one story strip mall was destroyed (Rosalie Plaza Grocery). The assessment team noted that the roof was not strapped down and that cinder blocks were only held together by mortar. It was determined that the tornado likely blew the roof off the structure which quickly led to the block walls to collapse. Winds of 125 mph were estimated.

Additional EF-2 damage was reported one quarter to one third mile further ENE along CR-71. Several mobile homes, with at least one mobile home noted to have been tied down, were completely destroyed. Three fatalities were reported from this section of damage. Additionally, numerous softwood trees were either uprooted or snapped along with several wooden power poles snapped.

Wider weather episode

A tornado outbreak occurred during the evening hours of the 29th into the early morning hours of the 30th. A very mild and unstable air mass was in place along with a strong southwesterly upper level jet. These ingredients combined with a cold front and pre-frontal trough sweeping from west to east across the area sparked scattered supercell thunderstorms during the evening, a few of which were tornadic. This was followed by a quasi-linear convective system (QLCS) that occurred with the trough, which also was responsible for severe weather. Beneficial rainfall occurred with this system with 2-5 inches reported. Some of the rainfall fell fast enough to produce brief flash flooding in the Florence area during the evening.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (34.6900, -85.7800)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 665859. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.