May 8,
2008 Severe Weather |
|
Preliminary
Storm Survey Information |
Five storm surveys have been completed examining
storm damage that occurred on Thursday, May 8th. Information
found in these surveys is described below. All tornado ratings
are using the Enhanced
Fujita Scale. |
|
Lauderdale (Oakland; EF-1) |
Colbert/Lawrence/Lauderdale
(EF-2) |
Limestone/Madison (EF-) |
Cullman (EF-1's) |
Morgan (EF-1) |
|
|
|
Southeastern
Limestone/Southwestern Madison County |
Rating |
EF-1 |
Peak Wind
|
100 mph |
Path Length
|
2.6 miles |
Peak Path
Width |
250 yards |
|
Sporadic minor tree and crop damage was observed
in the vicinity of County Line Road just north of the Tennessee
River, with the most significant damage was observed north
of the Blackwell Swamp area within the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge.
Grass and wheat patterns suggested a small area of convergent
rotation in extreme southeastern Limestone County near New
Hope Road. A larger area of grass and wheat was flattened
along County Line Road, where minor tree damage and roof damage
to one residence was also noted. On the north end of the Blackwell
Swamp east of County Line Road, there were larger areas of
tree damage, with many pine trees snapped or uprooted. |
![This National Weather Service radar from 2:31pm
showed strong rotation just southeast of Mooresville in Southeastern
Limestone County. The base reflectivity product in the left
panel shows rainfall intensity. The storm relative velocity
product in the right panel shows winds toward (in green) and
away (in red) from the radar in Hytop, AL.](radar1931z_thumb.jpg) |
This National Weather Service radar
image from 2:31pm shows strong rotation just southeast of Mooresville
in Southeastern Limestone County. The base reflectivity product
in the left panel shows rainfall intensity. The storm relative
velocity product in the right panel shows winds toward (in green)
and away (in red) from the radar in Hytop, AL. |
![The tornado caused minor tree damage just east of County Line Road in Madison County.](limestone3_thumb.jpg) |
![Minor tree damage caused by the tornado
near Triana.](limestone1_thumb.jpg) |
The tornado caused minor tree damage near County
Line Road in Madison County. |
Minor tree damage caused by the tornado near
Triana. |
![Damage to pine trees within the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge near Blackwell Swamp was extensive.](swamp1_thumb.jpg) |
![A large area of tree damage on the north end of the Blackwell Swamp.](swamp2_thumb.jpg) |
Damage to pine trees within the Wheeler Wildlife
Refuge near Blackwell Swamp was extensive. |
A large area of tree damage on the north end
of the Blackwell Swamp. |
|
|
Central Lauderdale
County |
Rating |
EF-1 |
Peak Wind
|
90 mph |
Path Length
|
5.6 miles |
Peak Path
Width |
200 yards |
|
A tornado touched down near County Road 189
west of Oakland. EF-1 damage was observed at the intersection
of County Roads 14 and 16, about 2 miles northwest of Oakland,
extending northeast to the Central Heights area. The tornado
produced moderate damage to five homes and uprooted several
trees in its path. The path of the tornado began 2 miles northwest
of Oakland and lifted in the Central Heights area. |
![This National Weather Service radar from noon
showed strong rotation northwest of Florence near Central
Heights. The base reflectivity product in the left panel shows
rainfall intensity. The storm relative velocity product in
the right panel shows winds toward (in green) and away (in
red) from the radar at Columbus Air Force Base, MS.](radar1700z_thumb.jpg) |
This National Weather Service radar
image from noon shows strong rotation northwest of Florence
near Central Heights. The base reflectivity product in the left
panel shows rainfall intensity. The storm relative velocity
product in the right panel shows winds toward (in green) and
away (in red) from the radar at Columbus Air Force Base, MS.
|
![This mobile home was flipped by the tornado
that moved through the Oakland/Central Heights area.](central1_thumb.jpg) |
![The tornado caused mostly minor damage to a few homes and downed some large trees.](central2_thumb.jpg) |
This mobile home was flipped by the tornado
that moved through the Oakland/Central Heights area.
|
The tornado caused mostly minor damage to a
few homes and downed some large trees. |
|
|
Northeast
Colbert/Eastern Lauderdale/Extreme Northeast Lawrence |
Rating |
EF-2 |
Peak Wind
|
125 mph |
Path Length
|
9.6 miles |
Peak Path
Width |
250 yards |
|
The tornado path began in the Leighton community.
Shortly after its touchdown, the tornado was captured on a
surveillance camera from an equipment company northeast of
Leighton captured a tornado picking up at least 2 cars and
throwing them nearly 40 feet. The tornado continued northeast
snapping and uprooting large trees near Fosters Mill, along
County Road 40. Just to the northeast of Fosters Mill, significant
structural damage occurred at the Doublehead Resort and Lodge.
A two-story house was completely lifted off its foundation
and moved nearly 20 feet. The entire west facing side of this
house was ripped off and significant roof damage occured.
Additional sporadic damage occurred to a garage and other
large trees from Joe Wheeler State Park to Rogersville, where
the tornado lifted.
|
![This National Weather Service radar from 12:46pm
showed strong rotation over northeastern Colbert County between
Leighton and Rogersville. This was the approximate time the
tornado was at EF-2 strength. The base reflectivity product
in the left panel shows rainfall intensity. The storm relative
velocity product in the right panel shows winds toward (in
green) and away (in red) from the radar at Columbus Air Force
Base, MS.](radar1746z_thumb.jpg) |
This National Weather Service radar
image from 12:46pm shows strong rotation over northeastern Colbert
County between Leighton and Rogersville. This was the approximate
time the tornado was at EF-2 strength. The base reflectivity
product in the left panel shows rainfall intensity. The storm
relative velocity product in the right panel shows winds toward
(in green) and away (in red) from the radar at Columbus Air
Force Base, MS. |
![Shortly after touching down, the tornado passed near this equipment company. Surveillance equipment captured dramatic footage of the tornado tossing cars around this parking lot.](leighton3_thumb.jpg) |
![Several large trees were downed along the path of the tornado.](leighton2_thumb.jpg) |
Shortly after touching down, the tornado passed
near this equipment company. Surveillance equipment captured
dramatic footage of the tornado tossing cars around this parking
lot. |
Several large trees were downed along the path
of the tornado. |
![This home at the Doublehead Resort in northwestern Lawrence County was pushed off its foundation. An entire wall on the side of the house was removed by the tornado.](leighton1_thumb.jpg) |
![This tornado continued to produce sporadic damage after crossing the Tennessee River into Lauderdale County near Rogersville.](leighton4_thumb.jpg) |
This home at the Doublehead Resort in northwestern
Lawrence County was pushed off its foundation. An entire wall
on the side of the house was removed by the tornado.
|
This tornado continued to produce sporadic
damage after crossing the Tennessee River into Lauderdale County
near Rogersville. |
|
|
Cullman County |
Rating |
EF-1 |
Peak Wind
|
100 mph |
|
|
Peak Path
Width |
100 yards |
|
There were three distinct tornado tracks that
were non-continous and developed from the same parent thunderstorm.
Each tornado was found to be an EF-1 with path widths of 100
yards.
The first tornado affected locations 3 miles in and around
Smith Lake. The second tornado occured from 7 miles from Sulpher
Springs to Trimble. The third tornado track occured 5 miles
from east of Cullman to Simcoe.
Predominantly tree damage was observed, with many trees snapped
and uprooted, including several large old oak trees just to
the east of the city of Cullman. The most severe damage occurred
northeast of Cullman at a pair of chicken houses. One chicken
house completely collapsed and the central portion of the
structure was twisted and gnarled. It also had its metal roofing
torn and twisted in the fields nearby. In addition, pockets
of straight line wind damage were noted south of the tornado
tracks, including within southern portions of the city of
Cullman.
|
![This National Weather Service radar from 2:14pm
showed strong rotation over western Cullman County just south
of Crane Hill. This was around the time the second tornado
touched down. The base reflectivity product in the left panel
shows rainfall intensity. The storm relative velocity product
in the right panel shows winds toward (in green) and away
(in red) from the radar in Shelby County, AL.](radar1914z_thumb.jpg) |
This National Weather Service radar
image from 2:14pm shows strong rotation over western Cullman
County just south of Crane Hill. This was around the time the
second tornado touched down. The base reflectivity product in
the left panel shows rainfall intensity. The storm relative
velocity product in the right panel shows winds toward (in green)
and away (in red) from the radar in Shelby County, AL.
|
![This National Weather Service radar from 2:50pm
showed strong rotation over northeastern Cullman County between
Cullman and Baileyton. This was around the time the third tornado touched down. The base reflectivity product
in the left panel shows rainfall intensity. The storm relative
velocity product in the right panel shows winds toward (in
green) and away (in red) from the radar in Hytop, AL.](radar1950z_thumb.jpg) |
This National Weather Service radar
image from 2:50pm shows strong rotation over northeastern Cullman
County between Cullman and Baileyton. This was around the time
the third tornado touched down. The base reflectivity product
in the left panel shows rainfall intensity. The storm relative
velocity product in the right panel shows winds toward (in green)
and away (in red) from the radar in Hytop, AL. |
![The first of the three tornadoes crossed into Cullman County from Walker County. In this image, you can see several trees downed near Smith Lake, close to the end of the first tornado track.](cullman4_thumb.jpg) |
![These chicken houses in northeastern Cullman County were destroyed by the tornado. The one on the left was blown apart. Though the one on the right may appear to be in tact, it was actually found to be structurally unsound. Image courtesy Cullman County EMA.](cullman1_thumb.jpg) |
The first of the three tornadoes crossed into
Cullman County from Walker County. In this image, you can see
several trees downed near Smith Lake. |
These chicken houses in northeastern Cullman
County were destroyed by the tornado. The one on the left was
blown apart. Though the one on the right may appear to be in
tact, it was actually found to be structurally unsound. Image
courtesy Cullman County EMA. |
![A tree fell on the roof of this apartment complex, nearly splitting it in half. Image courtesy Cullman County EMA.](cullman3_thumb.jpg) |
![Extensive tree damage occurred across Cullman County with all three of the tornadoes.](cullman2_thumb.jpg) |
A tree fell on the roof of this apartment complex,
nearly splitting it in half. Image courtesy Cullman County EMA. |
Extensive tree damage occurred across Cullman
County with all three of the tornadoes. |
|
|
West-Central
Morgan County |
Rating |
EF-1 |
Peak Wind
|
95 mph |
Path Length
|
3/4 miles |
Peak Path
Width |
50 yards |
|
A tornado touched down in the vicinity of Norris
Mill Road, northwest of Hartselle, where extensive tree damage
was observed over a relatively short distance and width. Multiple
medium to large trees were uprooted, including a 4-foot diameter
tree, and several smaller trees and large branches were snapped.
|
![This National Weather Service radar from noon
showed strong rotation northwest of Florence near Central
Heights. The base reflectivity product in the left panel shows
rainfall intensity. The storm relative velocity product in
the right panel shows winds toward (in green) and away (in
red) from the radar at Columbus Air Force Base, MS.](radar1912z_thumb.jpg) |
This National Weather Service radar
image from noon shows a broad area of rotation northwest of
Hartselle. The base reflectivity product in the left panel shows
rainfall intensity. The storm relative velocity product in the
right panel shows winds toward (in green) and away (in red)
from the radar at Hytop, Alabama. |
![The most extensive tree damage was observed off Macabee Drive, where many trees fell in a convergent pattern.](morgan1_thumb.jpg) |
![The tornado toppled a 4-foot diameter tree off Goose Pond Road and snapped off several medium to large branches.](morgan2_thumb.jpg) |
The most extensive tree damage was observed
off Macabee Drive, where many trees fell in a convergent pattern.
|
The tornado toppled a 4-foot diameter tree
off Goose Pond Road and snapped off several medium to large
branches. |
|
To see all storm reports from this event, click
here.
|