EF1 tornado in Etowah County, Alabama

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in Etowah County and determined that it was consistent with an EF1 tornado, with maximum sustained winds near 95 mph. This tornado began near Taylor Road where a large tree was uprooted and light trim damage was done to a house. Damage intensity rapidly increased as the tornado crossed Rabbittown Road. One residence had significant damage done to its roof and an exterior wall, along with broken windows. A car was also picked up/shifted. A second residence, which appeared to have very little/no anchoring, was greatly shifted from its foundation with heavy roof damage and broken windows. Across the street, a third residence had significant roof and wall damage, along with broken windows. The pattern of fallen trees in this vicinity indicated a cyclonic wind pattern, helping to confirm tornadic winds despite the storm`s presentation on radar.

The tornado continued northeastward, knocking down additional trees as it crossed Highway 278. Several outbuildings were destroyed and tossed downwind at a residence located along Tidmore Bend Road. The tornado then crossed the Coosa River and caused light roof damage to a dock as well as knocked down some trees before dissipating just before Alford Bend Road.

A very potent storm system moved out of the Southern Plains States and into the Central Gulf Coast Region Saturday and into Sunday morning. This system produced widespread severe weather from Texas to Alabama, including numerous tornadoes. A line of severe storms moved into West Alabama shortly before midnight Saturday night and progressed eastward across all of Central Alabama. The line of storms produced pockets of damaging straight line winds, localized flooding, and several tornadoes.