November 10, 2002
These pictures were taken during a damage survey in Cullman County
on November 12, 2002 by NWS Huntsville personnel. (The actual tornado
struck the area on November 10.) The tornado entered the southwest
part of Cullman County near Smith Lake and continued to the Cullman
Golf Course before briefly lifting. Sporadic damage was found thereafter
before the tornado dissipated near Holly Pond. The tornado was rated
an F-3 at its strongest point just northwest of the town of Bremen.
![](images/smithlake1.png)
F-1 damage occurred as the tornado moved across Smith Lake just
to the northeast of Ardell. Wind speeds in this area were estimated
to be near 110 mph.
Numerous boats were missing and/or destroyed by the tornado as it
crossed Smith Lake, northeast of Ardell.
![](images/walkway2.png)
This home was damaged as the F-1 tornado came onshore.
![](images/walkway.png)
Tornadic activity is evident by the random position of the fallen
trees. A metal walkway which extended into the lake lies up behind
the house.
![](images/mobilehome.png)
The F-2 tornado destroyed this 14 ft x 65 ft mobile home along County
Road 97, approximately 1/2 mile east of Smith Lake.
An extensive amount of large trees were snapped in half, along County
Road 97 in Bremen. Wind speeds were estimated at 150 mph.
![](images/foundation.png)
F-3 damaged occurred along County Road 211 with estimated wind speeds
of 180 mph. The picture taken was of the foundation of the house
which was blown approximately 20 feet into the yard behind.
![](images/cars.png)
In addition to blowing the house off its foundation, the F-3 tornado
also picked up the resident's vehicles and deposited them in trees
75 yards away.
![](images/f3.png)
Final location of the house. The resident's belongings, including
furniture, were found 1/2 mile away in and around a pond. All six
people in the house at the time the tornado struck took shelter
in a bathroom and escaped with only minor scratches.
F-2 damage occurred as the tornado approached another branch of
Smith Lake, with wind speeds estimated at 130 mph. The path width
at this point was approximately 400 yards. Numerous trees were flattened
along with several lake houses.
![](images/trees1.png)
More tornado damage evident by the position of the fallen trees.
![](images/roll2.png)
This mobile home off of County Road 212 survived intact as trees
all around were snapped in half. The wind speeds at this point were
approximately 130 mph.
![](images/roll.png)
This mobile home was shifted five feet off its foundation. It was
kept from rolling down the hill by a tree that had fallen in front
of it moments before.
![](images/west65.png)
Large pieces of sheet metal were flung into trees as the F-2 tornado
continued toward Interstate 65.
![](images/sheetmetal.png)
The mobile home was located on County Road 437 and was completely
destroyed as the tornado crossed its path.
![](images/east65.png)
This brick home was hit with wind speeds of approximately 100 mph,
taking the roof off of the corner section along County Road 616.
The path width had dwindled to 100 yards after crossing Interstate
65.
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