HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — 14 years ago, one of the deadliest tornado outbreaks struck Alabama when 62 tornadoes tore through the state. The tornadoes left scars on the land, and the damage left behind still lives on.
A storm system that tracked through the region supported the development of severe storms beginning in the early morning hours of April 27th, 2011. The 2011 outbreak impacted 26 states, but Alabama was hit the hardest. 62 tornadoes ripped through the state of Alabama, of which 19 were violent long-track tornadoes.
Thousands of individuals were injured, and 253 lives were taken by these storms.
For Alabamians, the 18-hour period when the storms were striking seemed never-ending. More than 1,200 miles and $4.2 billion worth of damage were spread across the state. The extent of the devastation was unparalleled, with countless homes and neighborhoods either partially or destroyed.
North Alabama saw three rounds of severe weather that day, compared to the rest of the state, which just saw two rounds. During the morning and midday hours, squall lines tracked eastward, but it was the afternoon supercells that produced the violent tornadoes.
The NWS in Huntsville issued 93 Tornado Warnings for the 14 counties they cover during those 24 hours. Every city and town was under a warning multiple times that day. From 2 p.m. and 10 p.m., the violent tornadoes ripped through communities.
During the afternoon period, the EF5 and EF4 tornadoes tore through communities. Seven violent tornadoes, 3 EF5s and 4 EF4s, impacted North Alabama. Along with the violent tornadoes, there were four weaker tornadoes.
One destructive EF5 tornado ripped through multiple counties in both northern Alabama and southern Middle Tennessee. The worst damage associated with this tornado was near the Hackleburg and Phil Campbell communities; this is where damage associated with 210 mph winds was found. This tornado was on the ground consistently for two hours, producing a nearly 107-mile-long damage path.
A second EF-5 tornado moved through Rainsville, Alabama. This destructive tornado was on the ground for just under forty minutes, producing a nearly 34-mile-long damage path. Along this path, extensive damage occurred in the Rainsville and Sylvania communities.
Although it has been 14 years since this event, it will forever hold a place in the hearts of Alabamians as we remember those who lost their lives that day.
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