Power Outage in Athens, AL

Power lines were blown down near the intersection of CR 58 and County Line Road. Time was estimated from radar.

A power pole and lines were knocked down at 3025 U.S. Highway 31.

Very windy conditions developed ahead of and immediately behind a line of severe thunderstorms. Sustained wind speeds of 30-40 mph gusted frequently from 45-60 mph at times, peaking at 60 mph at Pryor Field in Decatur. Numerous trees and power poles and lines were knocked down.

A peak gust of 59 mph was recorded at Pryor Field. Multiple trees were snapped or knocked down in the Athens area. Power outages were reported.

A tree was knocked down on power lines.

Trees and power lines were knocked down.

Sustained winds of 25 to 40 mph with some gusts between 50 and 55 mph in some locations were were observed. The sustained wind of 40 mph (7:30 PM) and the highest measured wind gust of 54 mph (7:30 PM) were recorded at Pryor Field Airport (southeast of Athens). These winds knocked down trees, some power lines, and least two utility poles. One tree fell on a mobile home in Athens. Another home in the Athens area experienced roof damage from the strong winds as well. Substantial roof damage to a strip mall occurred in the Athens's area and affected three separate businesses.

The awning of a building was ripped off and blown onto a car with passengers inside. No injuries were reported. Power lines were also knocked down.

Trees and powerlines were knocked down along Persimmons Tree Road.

Trees were knocked down into power lines along Market Street, between Shannon Street and Hine Street. Time estimated by radar.

Trees and power poles were knocked down on Congress Drive. Time estimated by radar.

A strong gust front pushed southeast through the county knocking down several trees and power lines across the northern and portions of central Limestone County, including near the Elk River, Tanner, Elmont and Athens.

Trees and power lines were knocked down in many locations in southwest Limestone County. Power was knocked out in portions of Athens.

A tornado started right onshore of the Wheeler Lake / Tennessee River just east of the Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant. The worst damage was east of the Power Plant, with snapped tree trunks, and also near Neely Hill Loop, where the roof of a home was taken off. The tornado periodically snapped or uprooted trees in between these locations before destroying a large shed just north of Tanner along U.S. Highway 31. The tornado finally lifted near Hatfield Lake Road.

A tornado started right onshore of the Wheeler Lake / Tennessee River just east of the Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant. The worst damage was east of the Power Plant, with snapped tree trunks, and also near Neely Hill Loop, where the roof of a home was taken off. The tornado periodically snapped or uprooted trees in between these locations before destroying a large shed just north of Tanner along U.S. Highway 31. The tornado finally lifted near Hatfield Lake Road.

Power lines were knocked down in Athens.

A tree was knocked down onto a power line on Harvest Road.

The remnants of Tropical Storm Alberto produced sustained winds of 20-35 mph with gusts over 45 mph. The peak wind at Pryor Field (KDCU) was 47 mph between 1400 and 1500 LST. Trees, a power pole, and power lines were knocked down at two locations in the county about 4 miles west and west northwest of Harvest.

Strong and gusty winds of 30-35 mph with gusts around 50 mph occurred during the evening hours of the 22nd into the early morning hours of the 23rd. A wake low event enhanced the winds and wind gusts between 8 pm and Midnight in Limestone County. A newspaper reported numerous reports of trees and power lines down across the county during this event causing power outages for at least 6700 residents. A Sheriff Deputy dispatched to one of the trees blocking Elkton Road. In doing so, another large tree fell during the event onto the vehicle causing a minor injury. Thankfully, the roll cage behind the seat of the passenger protected him from serious injury or worse. The vehicle is a total loss. Another large tree fell across Piney Creek Bridge. Another fell onto a fence of a farm allowing a number of cattle to get loose.

Trees and power lines were knocked down at the intersection of Newby Road and U.S. Highway 72.

Trees and power lines were knocked down near the intersection of Wooley Springs Road and Holt Road.

A tree was knocked down onto power lines on Barksdale Road in eastern Limestone County.

Power lines reported down. Relayed by Limestone County EMA.

A few trees and power lines were knocked down by thunderstorm winds at Highway 70A between Highway 251 and Sharp Road.

Several trees were downed by thunderstorm winds in the Lentzville, Alabama community, a tree was downed onto a roof on Blue Springs Drive and trees and power lines were downed on Davis and Beechwood road. A few trees were also downed in the Blackburn and Owens communities and along Easter Ferry road. In the Piney Chapel community, minor roof damage and several trees were downed on Loggins road. There was also major damage to a home from two large trees being downed onto the home. One shed was also destroyed by the thunderstorm winds.

A tree and a few power lines were downed by thunderstorm winds on Wooley Springs road in Limestone county, Alabama.

Several trees were downed by thunderstorm winds in the Lentzville, Alabama community, a tree was downed onto a roof on Blue Springs Drive and trees and power lines were downed on Davis and Beechwood road. A few trees were also downed in the Blackburn and Owens communities and along Easter Ferry road. In the Piney Chapel community, minor roof damage and several trees were downed on Loggins road. There was also major damage to a home from two large trees being downed onto the home. One shed was also destroyed by the thunderstorm winds.

An unoccupied mobile home was moved off of its foundation by thunderstorm winds. There were also a few trees and power lines downed by thunderstorm winds on Hayes Mill Road near Piney Chapel, Alabama.

One to two tenths of an inch of ice accumulation occurred due to freezing rain. Trees and power lines experienced accumulation and hazardous roadways were reported.

Several trees and power lines were knocked down between Tanner and Madison.

Thunderstorm winds snapped power pols along Bowers and Greenbrier Roads just south of Huntsville Browns Ferry Road.

A six foot diameter oak tree was blown over and power lines were knocked down.

A tornado rapidly intensified over Wheeler Lake resulting in extensive damage across southwest Limestone County.||Significant damage occurred at the Bay Hill Marina in Limestone County where a 2-story condominium was destroyed and a large metal building structure (used to store boats) sustained nearly complete failure of its exterior frame. Additional residences and condos had roof and exterior wall/siding damage and numerous large trees were snapped or uprooted. Several docks with metal protective coverings were destroyed. The tornado was near its peak intensity across this area, with winds between 120 and 140 mph.||The tornado continued east-northeast snapping numerous power poles near their bases along Snake Road. Along Log Cabin Road, just South of Highway 72, several homes sustained significant (if not complete) roof loss along with partial collapse of exterior walls. One single-family residence slid several feet off its concrete slab foundation. A trailer was also completely destroyed. The tornado maintained high-end EF-2/low-end EF-3 strength as it crushed Billy Barb's Trailer Park on Highway 72 in the Coxey community. 25 units were completely destroyed or uninhabitable. Two confirmed fatalities occurred at this location, with at least a dozen others injured. Debris was thrown across Highway 72 near Gordon/New Cut Road. The tornado crossed Highway 72 entering a mainly rural area of Limestone County. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted on either side of Highway 72 between Blue Springs Road and Parker Road.||The last significant area of damage occurred at a neighborhood community near the intersection of Seven Mile Post and Guinn Road. At this 10-acre location, nearly every home (concrete masonry unit) sustained some damage with at least a half dozen destroyed. One unit was swept clean off its foundation but was not anchored/secured to its foundation. The tornado continued east-northeast producing mainly EF-0 and EF-1 damage, minor roof/siding damage and snapped or uprooted trees, before gradually lifting just north of Athens near the intersection of West Elm Street and North Jefferson Street.||It should be noted that sporadic damage (mainly trees snapped or uprooted) was seen extending at least 1/2 to 1 mile on either side of the center track of this tornado. This damage was not included in the path width.

A tornado rapidly intensified over Wheeler Lake resulting in extensive damage across southwest Limestone County.||Significant damage occurred at the Bay Hill Marina in Limestone County where a 2-story condominium was destroyed and a large metal building structure (used to store boats) sustained nearly complete failure of its exterior frame. Additional residences and condos had roof and exterior wall/siding damage and numerous large trees were snapped or uprooted. Several docks with metal protective coverings were destroyed. The tornado was near its peak intensity across this area, with winds between 120 and 140 mph.||The tornado continued east-northeast snapping numerous power poles near their bases along Snake Road. Along Log Cabin Road, just South of Highway 72, several homes sustained significant (if not complete) roof loss along with partial collapse of exterior walls. One single-family residence slid several feet off its concrete slab foundation. A trailer was also completely destroyed. The tornado maintained high-end EF-2/low-end EF-3 strength as it crushed Billy Barb's Trailer Park on Highway 72 in the Coxey community. 25 units were completely destroyed or uninhabitable. Two confirmed fatalities occurred at this location, with at least a dozen others injured. Debris was thrown across Highway 72 near Gordon/New Cut Road. The tornado crossed Highway 72 entering a mainly rural area of Limestone County. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted on either side of Highway 72 between Blue Springs Road and Parker Road.||The last significant area of damage occurred at a neighborhood community near the intersection of Seven Mile Post and Guinn Road. At this 10-acre location, nearly every home (concrete masonry unit) sustained some damage with at least a half dozen destroyed. One unit was swept clean off its foundation but was not anchored/secured to its foundation. The tornado continued east-northeast producing mainly EF-0 and EF-1 damage, minor roof/siding damage and snapped or uprooted trees, before gradually lifting just north of Athens near the intersection of West Elm Street and North Jefferson Street.||It should be noted that sporadic damage (mainly trees snapped or uprooted) was seen extending at least 1/2 to 1 mile on either side of the center track of this tornado. This damage was not included in the path width.

The tornado tracked across the Tennessee River from Lawrence County at Bay Hill Drive at the marina on the northern end of the Tennessee River in Limestone County. The marina sustained minor damage and several of the condos and homes here had minor structural damage and several of the condos and homes here had minor structural damage. Trees were snapped and uprooted here as well. Utility poles were snapped along Snake road as the tornado strengthened to EF-1 intensity with wind speeds up to 105 mph.||The tornado moved northeast and snapped multiple trees as it crossed Wright road. Utility poles were also snapped here. The peak wind was estimated at 105 mph. A manufactured home was damaged along Wright road just south of highway 72 and a utility building was also destroyed. Clements High School sustained minor damage to athletic fields.||Homes sustained minor damage along Allison Loop road and Cox road, mainly minor roof uplift and loss of shingles). The tornado continued to move northeast and crossed Blue Springs Road. A large number of hardwood trees were snapped at the base here and power poles were also snapped near the ground. Several homes sustained damage when the trees fell on top of the homes. A car was also crunched in this location. The tornado then crossed the Elk River as it uprooted trees along Curtis road. The tornado then apparently lifted.

Trees and power lines were knocked down at the intersection of Temperance Oak Road and Lentzville Road.

Trees and power lines were knocked down near Lentzville Road and Lakeside Estates Road.

Damage to a building was reported and power lines were knocked down near Sledge Road.

The tornado tracked across the Tennessee River from Lawrence County at Bay Hill Drive at the marina on the northern end of the Tennessee River in Limestone County. The marina sustained minor damage and several of the condos and homes here had minor structural damage and several of the condos and homes here had minor structural damage. Trees were snapped and uprooted here as well. Utility poles were snapped along Snake road as the tornado strengthened to EF-1 intensity with wind speeds up to 105 mph.||The tornado moved northeast and snapped multiple trees as it crossed Wright road. Utility poles were also snapped here. The peak wind was estimated at 105 mph. A manufactured home was damaged along Wright road just south of highway 72 and a utility building was also destroyed. Clements High School sustained minor damage to athletic fields.||Homes sustained minor damage along Allison Loop road and Cox road, mainly minor roof uplift and loss of shingles). The tornado continued to move northeast and crossed Blue Springs Road. A large number of hardwood trees were snapped at the base here and power poles were also snapped near the ground. Several homes sustained damage when the trees fell on top of the homes. A car was also crunched in this location. The tornado then crossed the Elk River as it uprooted trees along Curtis road. The tornado then apparently lifted.

Power lines were knocked down on Ragsdale Creek Road.

A tornado touched down along Section Line road just east of highway 99 in the Cartwright community. Initially the tornado was relatively weak snapping small limbs on softwood trees along Harris Loop Road. Power poles were also were also snapped in this location. Estimated winds in this area were roughly 100 mph. A home along Section Line Road also received minor roof uplift and loss of shingles. As the tornado continued to move east-northeast, additional tree damage was noted along Easter Ferry road and Davis Lane. The tornado apparently lifted along the hilltops just west of Witty Mills Road.

A tornado touched down along Section Line road just east of highway 99 in the Cartwright community. Initially the tornado was relatively weak snapping small limbs on softwood trees along Harris Loop Road. Power poles were also were also snapped in this location. Estimated winds in this area were roughly 100 mph. A home along Section Line Road also received minor roof uplift and loss of shingles. As the tornado continued to move east-northeast, additional tree damage was noted along Easter Ferry road and Davis Lane. The tornado apparently lifted along the hilltops just west of Witty Mills Road.

Thunderstorm winds knocked power lines down onto an 18 wheeler truck. Power outages were reported on Lakeside Estate Road.

A power outage was reported at the intersection of Baker Hill Road and New Cut Road.

It was estimated that around a tenth of an inch of freezing rain had accumulated on trees and power lines about eight miles northwest of Athens.

A few trees and power lines were blown down by thunderstorm winds, near Good Springs.

A few trees and power lines were downed by thunderstorm winds, just northwest of Athens.

A few power lines were downed by thunderstorm winds at Piney Chapel road and Elkton road, about five miles north-northeast of Athens.

Trees were knocked down on north Jefferson street, Lucas Street, and onto a home at Crutcher Circle. Power lines were knocked down on Elm Street.

Trees were knocked down on north Jefferson street, Lucas Street, and onto a home at Crutcher Circle. Power lines were knocked down on Elm Street.

A tree and power lines were blown down at Carters Trailer Court.

Two trees were knocked down onto power poles at Highway 99 and New Cut Road.

A few power lines and trees were downed by thunderstorm winds. Also, a large tree fell on a camper trailer, which injured one person inside. A set of porch pylons also collapsed at the same location on Snake Road near the Forks of the river in Limestone county.

Hail to the size of quarters was reported at Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant.

A tree and a few power lines were downed by thunderstorm winds on Tillman Mill road near New Cut road.

A storm survey indicated that peak winds of 70-80 mph produced significant tree damage along with numerous powerlines down and minor structural damage across a large portion of the county.

Trees and powerlines were blown down on Blue Springs Road.

This tornado continued its path east northeast from Morgan county into Limestone county. As it moved into southeastern Limestone county, it snapped trees along CR 45 and on the Calhoun Community College campus. Pryor Field lost power at 11:28 AM CDT as the circulation passed over the airport. The tornado dissipated between Pryor Field and Interstate 65.

The violent tornado continued it's path from the Tennessee River along the Lawrence/Limestone county line northeast through Tanner and into the east Central portion of Limestone County. Homes were completely obliterated along a wide swath in the Tanner community. Nearly a dozen high tension power lines were snapped or taken to the ground in Limestone County. Concrete power poles were also snapped off at their base. A subsequent ground team, aided by a storm survey expert from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, surveyed the most intense damage in Limestone County. High end EF-3 damage was noted over a large area in eastern Limestone County along and north of the East Limestone High School. The intensity was maximized in Limestone County in the community of Tanner, with a large swath of EF-4 damage and a narrow corridor of high end EF-4 damage. Several well-constructed homes with anchor bolting were completely wiped clean. One home had the debris lofted over 300 hundred yards with large items carried completely away. Intense ground scarring was noted in this area. In addition, a large cargo container was picked up and blown approximately 600 yards and several cars were carried airborne for hundreds of yards. In all, hundreds of homes received moderate to major damage along the path with many of these being total losses.

Lightning struck a power pole at he intersection of Jefferson Street and U.S. Highway 72. A live wire fell on a vehicle waiting in the drive-thru line of a fast food restaurant. No injuries were reported. Power was knocked out at several businesses and the traffic signal for several hours.

Power poles were damaged around the Athens Sports Plex.

A power pole was knocked down on Blackburn Road north of Quinn Road.

Roof damage was observed at a home near US 72 on Sledge Road. Other structural damage was reported and several power lines were blown down.

Trees and power lines were blown down on Blue Springs Drive.

Trees and power lines were blown down on Cox Road.

A roof was reported blown off at a residence in the Southern Breeze neighborhood. Numerous additional reports of trees down and fences knocked down down in this neighborhood. Powerlines were knocked down at the intersection of Mooresvile road.

Winds knocked down approximately 25 trees along Sugar Creek Estates Road. Downed trees and tree limbs tore down several power lines, some of which fell on some vehicles.

Power lines were knocked down on Browns Ferry Road just west of highway 31.

One tree and some powerlines were blown down on Highway 31 at Freeman Street.

High winds knocked down trees and power lines in several locations throughout the county between 730 PM and 1130 PM. A portion of a fire station under construction was blown down. Trees blocked several roads including Slate road, Md Rose road, Love Branch road, and Oak Grove road. Power outages were reported in much of east Limestone county, including the Oak Grove and Athens communities. Winds gusted to around 50 mph at times.

Strong winds uprooted a tree onto a power line which tripped a power substation and knocked power out for about 5000 utility customers in the Athens area.

High winds of at least 45 mph with gusts over 50 mph blew down numerous trees and power lines across the county leaving power outages. A 53 mph wind gust was measured at Pryor Field at 2106 LST.

A severe thunderstorsm knocked down trees and powerlines in the Ripley area and south of Athens.

Power lines were blown down at the intersection of Shaw and Snake Road in the Ripley community.

A utility building was blown over in Ardmore. Strong winds produced sporadic power outages countywide.

A power substation was damaged by thunderstorm winds.

A few trees and power lines were blown down.

Power lines were reported down at Hine Street and Washington.

Straight-line winds of up to 80 mph knocked down numerous trees and power lines throughout the county as a squall line raced through the area. Up to 2000 residents were without power.

Several trees and power lines were blown down. Also, some minor roof damage occurred in Country Club Estates area off Highway 31 in the Hatfield area.

Thirteen power poles snapped by thunderstorm winds. Damage occurred along Lucas Ferry Road.

A F1 tornado touched down in western Limestone County near Lentzville and raced eastnortheastward to just southwest of Elkmont. Several mobile homes were damaged or destroyed resulting in 3 minor injuries. In addition, numerous trees and power poles were knocked down.

Thunderstorm winds knocked down several trees and power poles.

several power lines down on highway 251.

A line of thunderstorms with damaging wind moved through Limestone County. Numerous trees and power lines were blown down throughout the county. A roof was partially torn off a doctors building in Athens and several others buildings in the area received minor damage. Several large signs and a few gas stations were damaged.

Numerous trees and power lines were knocked down throughout the county.

Trees, signs, and power lines were knocked down in the Ripley area.

Temperatures in the mid to upper 90s and strong instability fueled scattered showers and thunderstorms ahead of a weak boundary in northern Alabama. These strong to severe storms produced damaging wind gusts that caused some stuctural damage and significant tree damage. Power was out for several hours for over 1200 customers in portions of Scottsboro.

A severe thunderstorm downed trees and power lines in western Limestone County.

A low topped miniature supercell with no cloud to ground lightning developed within a tropical and unstable airmass during the early evening hours. The cell produced a brief tornado in the community of Elkmont, knocking down trees and power lines.