4.6 NW Union Chapel - 2.8 SSW Crossroads The tornado track began about 3 miles northeast of Pickensville in Pickens County, and continued northeast along Double Branches Road, near County Road 49. Just northeast of Reform, the tornado destroyed a few chicken houses and tossed grain feed bins up to 100 yards (EF-1). The tornado caused roof damage to houses and destroyed a few outbuildings as it crossed Alabama Highway 159 north of County Road 49. The tornado then moved into Tuscaloosa County. It crossed Alabama Highway 171 just south of County Road 76, with significant tree damage (EF-2) in a narrow path. The tornado clipped a small part of south central Fayette County along County Road 12 just west of U.S. Highway 43, with tree damage and minor structural damage (EF-1). The Tornado then moved back into Tuscaloosa County, crossing U.S. Highway 43 just north of County Road 12, with only a narrow path width of (EF-0 to EF-1) tree damage. The tornado continued east-northeastward across north central Tuscaloosa County causing mostly minor tree and structural damage before crossing into Fayette County along Old Jasper Road. The tornado strengthened as it approached the Boley Springs area. It crossed County Road 83 north of old Jasper Road where it caused considerable damage to trees and completely destroyed at least one mobile home (EF-3). The frame separated and the remaining debris was thrown a considerable distance which resulted in at least two fatalities. The tornado appeared to strengthen even further as it reached Willcut Road and County Road 46. In this area several mobile homes were completely destroyed with debris thrown a considerable distance and frames twisted and thrown. Many trees were downed with at least two fatalities in this area (at least EF-3). A large violent tornado continued its track from Walker County into the Huntsville County Warning Area (CWA) across the very southern tip of Cullman County, from about 3 miles southwest of Arkadelphia to just over 2 miles ESE of Arkadelphia. This tornado then tracked out of the Huntsville CWA into Blount County. In Cullman County, a wide swath of pine and hardwood trees was found snapped at the bases or splintered several feet off the ground, with some debarking of trees. South of Hwy 91 along Washington Loop, several homes were damaged or destroyed. A mobile home was obliterated and the frame was found at least 200 yards to the east up a hill. A cinder block home was wiped out, with the contents landing across the road, while the cars nearby were tossed. A truck landed in a nearby hollow at least 50 yards away while a sedan was smashed as it landed about 130 yards away. Farming equipment in a barn was displaced into the hollow, including a hay baler and a tractor. The storm shelter by the residence was partially lifted and damaged. The person inside received minor injuries. Additional homes and buildings nearby were destroyed and only a few trees were left standing or not debarked. The main damage path was fairly well confined, as a well built home just at the edge of the track only sustained minor roof damage. More information in survey pages and storm data. Start: 33.2506/-88.1814 End: 34.2831/-86.3491

NWS EF Scale: F4

An EF-1 tornado touched down on Crest Hill Road off of Cathedral Caverns Highway on the south side of Grant Mountain. As the tornado skipped along it's short path, several trees were snapped on Crest Hill Road. As it skipped northeast, two very large hardwood trees were snapped and uprooted on Edmonds Road. Minor roof damage was sustained to a house there. Just northeast of this location, the tornado lifted.

A powerful storm system roared across the Southeast United States on Wednesday, April 27, 2011. In the wake of this system, hundreds of people were left injured and/or homeless, along with approximately 100 people who lost their lives in the northern Alabama area alone. Some of the devastation was literally unimaginable with countless homes, neighborhoods and even portions of cities or towns either partially or completely destroyed. This storm system would be responsible for one of the largest and deadliest tornado outbreaks to ever impact much of the southeastern region.| |The powerful storm system that affected the National Weather Service, Huntsville service area would actually occur in three separate waves of severe weather that day. The first occurred during the early morning hours of April 27, 2011 roughly between the hours of 2 AM and 8 AM CDT, while the second occurred during the late-morning to early afternoon period. The third and most devastating wave occurred during the afternoon hours on Wednesday, with some of the most violent and destructive tornadoes to affect the central Tennessee Valley area in recent decades.| |The worst areas impacted by these storms included the towns of Phil Campbell and Oak Grove in eastern Franklin County Alabama, Mt. Hope in western Lawrence County and the Tanner Community in eastern Limestone County. Along a line connecting these areas tracked an EF5 tornado with peak winds around 210 mph, the strongest and most violent on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. ||Other areas impacted by the storms include the city of Cullman, where extensive damage occurred to buildings in the downtown area, and to the town of Fairview, both of which are located in Cullman County. Downstream, further significant damage occurred to the Ruth and Oak Grove communities in Marshall County. In addition, the communities of Rainsville and Sylvania along with the towns of Henagar and Ider in DeKalb County were severely impacted. Fatalities in DeKalb County alone numbered at least 33 people. Furthermore, the towns of Flat Rock, Higdon and Pisgah in Jackson County sustained incredible damage. The tornadoes that affected these areas were rated as an EF4 with maximum winds near 190 mph.||In most of these areas alone, numerous people lost their lives. These represent just several of the communities and towns impacted by the events of April 27, 2011. While the majority of the analysis and survey work conducted by the National Weather Service, Huntsville and its partners have been completed, there will undoubtedly be countless research studies conducted by both academia and operational personnel in order to further evaluate and understand the complex processes associated with this near unprecedented severe weather outbreak.

Part of 59-tornado outbreak on April 27, 2011