EF2 tornado in Etowah County, Alabama

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in northwest Etowah County, near the Blount County line, and determined that it was consistent with an EF2 tornado, with maximum winds near 115 mph.

This tornado is a continuation from Blount County. It tracked northeast along the ridgeline in northern Etowah County. Sporadic tree damage was noted along Cove Spring Road and Cove Road. The tornado began to strengthen as it moved northeast toward the southern portions of the city of Boaz. Several homes were damaged in this area some from falling trees. At least one home near the intersection of Highway 179 and Glover Road sustained significant structural damage. A large industrial building in this area also sustained significant damage. At this point, the tornado reached its maximum intensity of 115 mph with a width of approximately 350 yards. The tornado continued to track northeast through Boaz with homes and structures damaged along Pleasant Hill Road and Highway 205. Significant tree damage with uprooted and snapped trees were noted in this area. The tornado continued to track northeast and into Marshall County.

An upper-level low over the southwest United States evolved into a negatively-tilted shortwave trough as it moved over the southeastern United States. A warm front steadily moved northward during the morning and afternoon hours on Sunday, April 12. This allowed an unstable air mass to move northward and overspread much of the region. At the same time, very strong wind shear developed over Alabama as the upper trough neared the state.

An initial wave of severe storms affected areas near and north of Interstate 20, involving tornadoes, damaging straight-line winds, and some hail. Through the evening, a second wave of thunderstorms affected the remaining areas of Central Alabama with tornadoes and damaging straight-line winds. Flooding also resulted from training rainfall near and north of Interstate 20. Some roads became impassible or were washed out. This weather event was large in scope and produced severe weather from Oklahoma and Texas, through the southeastern United States, then up the east coast to New York.