THE OFFICIAL WORD ABOUT OUR TORNADO MONDAY

NWS Huntsville Damage Surveys From North Alabama
Elkmont-Ardmore Tornado (Limestone County)
Rating: EF2
Estimated Peak Wind: 125 mph
Path Length (statute): 23.54 miles
Path Width (maximum): 350 yards
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 0
Start Time: 06:08 PM CDT
Start Location: 4 SW Lester / Limestone County / AL
End Time: 06:46 PM CDT
End Location: 3 ESE Ardmore / Limestone County / AL

Summary: The tornado initially touched down just east of the Lauderdale-Limestone county line near the intersection of Union Hill Road and Shelton Road. Nearly all of the damage in northwest Limestone County consisted of snapped or uprooted trees, in a swath extending across Salem Minor Hill Road, Leggtown Road, and the Elk River. Significant tree damage was noted along Alabama Highway 127 and Veto Road north of Elkmont, where likely hundreds of trees were snapped or uprooted. It was in this area where the tornado reached its maximum path width of 350 yards.

The tornado continued east-northeast, narrowly missing the Saturn I rocket at the Alabama Welcome Center on Interstate 65. Tree damage continued on Hardiman Lane east of I-65, but roof damage also occurred to single-family homes. Similar damage was observed on Puckett Lane and Oak Grove Road.

There is evidence (both from radar and ground surveys) to suggest that the tornado had multiple vortices between Oak Grove Road and Valley Drive, as there are two distinct damage paths in this area. Again, much of the damage was to trees and roofs of single-family and manufactured homes, as well as small sheds and barns.
The most severe damage by far occurred along Alabama Highway 251 and Gatlin Road, where one or two houses had their roofs and roofing structures almost completely torn off, and several more had most of their shingles torn off. Fortunately the residents had taken shelter in a nearby basement and none were injured.
The tornado weakened quickly, snapping and uprooting trees as it moved across Mitchell Loop, Old Schoolhouse Road, and Alabama Highway 53. No evidence of damage was found east of Highway 53.

SOURCE LINK: DAMAGE SURVEYS

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