Power Outage in Cullman, AL

A news article reported that one third of a roof at the Stiefelmeyer Building was blown away. A power pole between First and Second Avenues was splintered and an unspecified number of vehicles were damaged. Debris blown from the building damaged surrouding businesses and areas. Three buildings of Margo's Antiques and Gifts experienced damage.

No less than 50 reports of trees being knocked down were received during or just after a line of severe thunderstorms moved through the county from west-southwest to east-northeast. Power lines were knocked down at least 10 locations.

Windy conditions developed ahead of and immediately behind a line of severe thunderstorms. Sustained wind speeds of 25-35 mph gusted frequently from 40-50 mph at times. Numerous trees and power lines were knocked down.

A tree and power lines were knocked down at 8304 Highway 91.

Powerlines were reported down in the Industrial district along Cherokee Avenue/69 South.

Up to 5 power poles were knocked down along with trees at this location.

A tree and power line was knocked down onto a garage at 1336 CR 258. Time estimated by radar.

Several large tree limbs and small trees were knocked down onto power lines across Cullman County. Time estimated by radar.

Power line were knocked down on CR 223. Time estimated by radar.

The public reported numerous power outages across Cullman County due to strong winds. Based on reports in adjacent Marshall County (Albertville AWOS with a wind gust of 46 mph), wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph were likely at least for brief periods in Cullman County.

Trees and power lines were knocked down and blocking the road at the intersection of U.S. 31 and Highway 157.

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

A tornado developed just south of Holly Pond, Alabama near the intersection of Highway 91 and CR 695 where a couple of trees were uprooted. As the tornado moved northeast it crossed Highway 278 where more trees were snapped and uprooted, and then struck 10 chicken houses. It destroyed nearly all of the chicken houses producing damage consistent with a low end EF-2. Metal roofing from these chicken houses was spread across a large area several hundred yards in width. Additional roof shingle damage |also occurred to a family residence along with several snapped and uprooted trees just to the northeast of these chicken houses along CR 1728. ||As the tornado continued to move northeast more trees were snapped and uprooted before 3 more chicken houses were destroyed on CR 1716. ||After proceeding northeast a few miles the tornado strengthened to its maximum intensity snapping and destroying multiple trees and power poles near the intersection of Red Hill Road and CR 1810. ||More trees were uprooted and power lines downed further northeast on Harris Road just west of Joppa.

Trees and power lines were knocked down near Cullman. Reported via social media and time estimated by radar.

A few power lines and a few trees were downed onto homes by thunderstorm winds along Highway 69 between the Simcoe and Baileyton communities in Marshall County, Alabama.

A wide swath of hardwood trees were snapped or uprooted between Good Hope and South Vinemont. Many trees fell on homes causing extensive roof/structural damage. Several businesses in Cullman sustained minor roof damage. Several wooden power poles were even snapped near their base which resulted in the estimation of winds being around 100 MPH.

A wide swath of hardwood trees were snapped or uprooted between Good Hope and South Vinemont. Many trees fell on homes causing extensive roof/structural damage. Several businesses in Cullman sustained minor roof damage. Several wooden power poles were even snapped near their base which resulted in the estimation of winds being around 100 MPH.

Thunderstorm winds knocked down trees and power lines. The time was estimated by radar.

A tornado first touched down in the Welti community along CR 636. Numerous hardwood trees were snapped and uprooted in this area. The tornado continued to move north with significant damage to a one story home along CR 601. Major roof uplift was noted to this home and a building under construction at the same site was completely destroyed and blown several hundred yards. A large travel trailer was also rolled. Damage at this location was deemed EF-2 in intensity. Further north along the road a large outbuilding was completely destroyed.||The tornado intensified as it moved northward crossing the Broglen River. Here the tornado widens to near 350 yards. Many hardwood trees were snapped and uprooted along the path. A chicken farm sustained damage along CR 732. Near this location along CR 736 a well constructed two story brick home sustained severe damage when the upstairs was completely wiped away and blown several hundred yards into a ravine. Large debris missiles were seen embedded in the surrounding fields. Several trees in this area were also severely mangled and partially debarked. Damage in this area was rated low end EF-3.||The tornado continued to track northward ripping the roof completely off a home at the intersection of CR 736 and 703. The tornado intensity oscillated as it tracked northward toward the Berlin community. Numerous wooden power poles were snapped along CR 703. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted as it crossed Highway 278 with some trees sheared near the base.||A TVA substation suffered significant damage with large electrical lines damaged and poles snapped and destroyed. The survey team was not able to fully observe this damage due to security restrictions but online photos indicate that this particular damage is consistent with at least high end EF-2 or possibly EF-3 damage. A chicken farm sustained severe structural damage with one house completely wiped to the ground with the metal trusses severely mangled. 25,000 chickens were killed in this one location. A mobile home along CR 747 was completely destroyed with debris thrown over 50 yards. Additional tree damage was noted in this area. The tornado weakened quite rapidly after this point lifting just north of Hwy 69.

A tornado first touched down in the Welti community along CR 636. Numerous hardwood trees were snapped and uprooted in this area. The tornado continued to move north with significant damage to a one story home along CR 601. Major roof uplift was noted to this home and a building under construction at the same site was completely destroyed and blown several hundred yards. A large travel trailer was also rolled. Damage at this location was deemed EF-2 in intensity. Further north along the road a large outbuilding was completely destroyed.||The tornado intensified as it moved northward crossing the Broglen River. Here the tornado widens to near 350 yards. Many hardwood trees were snapped and uprooted along the path. A chicken farm sustained damage along CR 732. Near this location along CR 736 a well constructed two story brick home sustained severe damage when the upstairs was completely wiped away and blown several hundred yards into a ravine. Large debris missiles were seen embedded in the surrounding fields. Several trees in this area were also severely mangled and partially debarked. Damage in this area was rated low end EF-3.||The tornado continued to track northward ripping the roof completely off a home at the intersection of CR 736 and 703. The tornado intensity oscillated as it tracked northward toward the Berlin community. Numerous wooden power poles were snapped along CR 703. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted as it crossed Highway 278 with some trees sheared near the base.||A TVA substation suffered significant damage with large electrical lines damaged and poles snapped and destroyed. The survey team was not able to fully observe this damage due to security restrictions but online photos indicate that this particular damage is consistent with at least high end EF-2 or possibly EF-3 damage. A chicken farm sustained severe structural damage with one house completely wiped to the ground with the metal trusses severely mangled. 25,000 chickens were killed in this one location. A mobile home along CR 747 was completely destroyed with debris thrown over 50 yards. Additional tree damage was noted in this area. The tornado weakened quite rapidly after this point lifting just north of Hwy 69.

Trees were knocked down on County Road 1282 near Interstate 65 in West Point. Numberous power outages were reported.

Power lines were knocked down by thunderstorm winds on the roadway at the intersection of county roads 1043 and 1046 near Arkadelphia, Alabama.

A few power lines were downed by thunderstorm winds just northeast of Cullman.

Three or four large oak trees were blown down. Power lines were brought down as well in the area.

A weak tornado touched down east of Cold Springs, toppling and snapping numerous trees. Several sheds sustained minor damage in this early part of the track. The storm crossed Highway 69 where it damaged a large shed. Additional damage was noted as the tornado tracked northeast across County Road 46, where trees continued to be snapped and damage sustained to many chicken coops, some of which collapsed. After crossing Interstate 65 just south of Dodge City, additional chicken coops and trees were damaged along the path of the storm.||The tornado then increased in strength as it approached Wallace State College in Hanceville, where winds were estimated to peak at 120 mph (EF-2 intensity). Eight large metal power poles were bent over just above the base and several campus buildings had significant portions of metal roofing torn off. A mid-rise under construction had its windows blown out, while the high-rise building sustained additional minor damage. The connected construction crane remained standing. To the south of the main track, in Hanceville proper, significant numbers of large pine, poplar and other hardwood trees were toppled onto houses. The roof of the high school gym in town was partly destroyed and additional small buildings near downtown Hanceville sustained damage..||The tornado continued its track northeast from Hanceville, nearly paralleling Highway 91. Between Center Hill and Walter, large hardwood trees were found snapped and twisted. In addition along County Road 645, a barn was nearly destroyed. Continuing northeast along a path, just south of Holly Pond along Highway 91, a portion (1/3 to 1/2) of a residential shelter or shed was destroyed and a portion of a chicken house was badly damaged.||Additional damage was seen along County Road 1742 and 1753, several miles northeast of Holly Pond, and along Highway 231 in extreme northeast Cullman county. This damage is considered to be with the same complex of storms that rolled across the area during the early morning hours April 27th, however there is too much distance between damage points to be considered one long track tornado.

Damaging straight-line winds knocked down trees and power lines near Cullman. One tree fell on a house but no injuries were reported.

Significant building and roof damage occurred in downtown Cullman. Windows and some walls were blown out. Power lines were knocked down and numerous power outages resulted. At Sports Center on highway 31N, Seadoos and Four-Wheelers were flipped over. Big trees were also blown down near the Catholic Church.

Large tree limbs were blown down on a building and on power lines along 9th street in the city of Cullman.

An EF-2 tornado touched down on Highway 31 just south of the County Road 601 intersection. The tornado damaged roofs to two businesses in the Phelan community. The tornado then moved northeast and downed several power lines and snapped and uprooted over 100 pine and oak trees. Minor roof damage was observed on a house along County Road 601 and a carport was destroyed on County Road 747 in the Welti community. Tin roof debris from the chicken houses was thrown over one mile along the tornado's path. The tornado finally lifted on County Road 643 but no before causing roof damage to a barn and knocking down several trees.

High winds knocked trees down in Johnson crossing along Highway 31. Power outages were reported across the area. Winds gusted to around 50 mph at times.

A tree and power lines were blown down at the intersection of Bolte road and Hart Drive.

Trees and powerlines were blown down across CR 925.

A utility pole and power lines were knocked down on Highway 278.

Bow echoes pushed north across Cullman county, producing widespread wind damage across the county. Numerous trees and power lines were blown down. Wind gusts were estimated to be around 65 mph. Particularly hard hit were the Cullman and West Point communities.

Bow echoes pushed north across Cullman county, producing widespread wind damage across the county. Numerous trees and power lines were blown down. Wind gusts were estimated to be around 65 mph. Particularly hard hit were the Cullman and West Point communities.

Thunderstorm winds overturned a truck and flattened a trailor. Numerous power outages were reported with up to 9000 customers affected, including the communities of Hanceville, Holly Pond, Terri Pines, Baileyton, and Trimble. Time is estimated.

High winds between 45 and 55 mph, with gusts approaching 65 mph, occurred in Cullman county. These high winds downed numerous trees and powerlines across the county. Homes were damaged in many locations across the county by fallen trees. Some areas hardest hit included: Logan, Cullman, Good Hope, Hanceville, and the Catalina Point area.

Widespread trees were reported blown down and power outages occurred countywide. Time was estimated by radar as winds affected the western portion of Cullman county. Two emergency responders were injured by a tree crashing through a house while responding to an call in the Berlin area.

Widespread trees were reported blown down and power outages occurred countywide. Time was estimated by radar as winds affected the western portion of Cullman county. Two emergency responders were injured by a tree crashing through a house while responding to an call in the Berlin area.

High winds knocked down numerous trees countywide. The hardest hit area was Holly Pond. Damage was also reported in Colony, Crane Hill and near Guthrey's Crossroads. Trees fell on several roads including County Roads 222, 310, 1162, 1169, 1760, 509, 946 and Fields Road. Three power substations were out of service at one point. Nearly 2300 residents were without power for a time in Holly Pond.

Thunderstorm winds knocked trees on power lines resulting in power outages in the Bethel community.

Severe thunderstorm winds blew down trees and power lines along highway 278 along the Cullman and Winston County line.

Several homes and businesses were heavily damaged in the downtown area, including the Cullman Shopping Center. Several power lines and large trees were also blown down. Some trees fell on houses and vehicles, heavily damaging them. A fuel tank spill resulted due to roof debris falling from a nearby building. The spill required a temporary closure of a one half mile radius near the intersection of Highways 278 and 31. Locations affected by the heaviest damage included the St. Joseph area of Cullman county near Katherine and Ann Street, locations along 278 north, and Arnold Street. Power outages affected as many as 4800 customers in Cullman County. An EMS/weather spotter reported that a female resident experienced a minor injury when a tree limb fell into the home and struck her on the head.

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. One person was injured when a small barn was blown onto a vehicle. A travel trailer was damaged and a shed was blown over.

Thunderstorm winds blew down large trees and caused power outages of up to 2600 residents in the Jones Chapel area. One tree feel on a mobile home likely causing a total loss. The home was unoccupied at the time. A tin roof was ripped of of a barn along County Road 940.

Thunderstorm winds blew down large trees and caused power outages of up to 2600 residents in the Jones Chapel area. One tree feel on a mobile home likely causing a total loss. The home was unoccupied at the time. A tin roof was ripped of of a barn along County Road 940.

Trees and power lines were blown down.

Numerous trees and power lines were blown down along Highway 278 from Baldwin to just east of downtown Cullman.

A few power lines were blown down by thunderstorm winds.

A few trees and power lines were blown down by thunderstorm winds.

A few treesand power lines were blown down by thunderstorm winds.

numerous trees and power lines down.

A few power lines were knocked down in Fairview.

Cullman County reported numerous trees and power lines blown down. The Cold Springs School was damaged by falling trees and power lines. Several trees fell on vehicles and homes causing damage. One mobile home was destroyed on CR 52. A funnel cloud was sighted on Golf Course Road. Small hail also accompanied these storms.

Numerous trees and power lines were blown down near Cullman. The Wal-Mart store sustained damage when wind destroyed the metal framed Garden Center. The flying debris damaged a dozen vehicles in the parking lot.

Numerous trees and power lines were blown down across the county. Several dime size hail reports were received. A few homes sustained structural damage in the city of Cullman. One tree fell on a mobile home in Bremen completely destroying it. Several chicken houses lost roofs in Bethel and Logan. A steeple was blown off a church in Hanceville. A few large signs fell in the southern part of the city of Cullman.

A cluster of thunderstorms rolled southeast from southeast Missouri and western Tennessee during the evening of the 30th, and through northeast Mississippi into northwest Alabama during the early morning hours of the 31st. The most severe storm produced storm tops well above 60000 feet, and knocked down or snapped several trees along it's path in Colbert and Franklin Counties. Prolific lightning was noted as well, with several power outages reported.

A strong thunderstorm produced frequent lightning strikes in western Franklin County during the late afternoon hours. Lightning strikes caused three separate power outages in the Red Bay area. ||Other strong storms occurred in Cullman and Dekalb counties which downed some larger limbs and downed one tree.

Multiple clusters of strong thunderstorms developed during the early through mid afternoon hours. One of the storms downed large tree limbs onto power lines in the city of Cullman.

Slow moving strong thunderstorms along a weak boundary across central AL and strong daytime heating, produced of two to four inches of rainfall over southeastern portions of Cullman county. This produced some isolated flash flooding in the Good Hope area. Some scattered power outages occurred due to the intense lightning activity.

The Saragossa Tornado was the fourth tornado to occur in Alabama and the longest track of the severe weather episode. It began in Fayette County, just east of the Sipsey River about 6 miles north-northeast of the city of Fayette at 8:15 pm. The tornado moved northeast, crossing portions of State Routes 102 and 13, and then SR 102 again around Stoddards Crossroads.The tornado crossed into Walker County at 8:34 pm and traveled through sparsely populated areas of western Walker County. It crossed the interchange of US Highway 78 about 5.5 miles east-southeast of Carbon Hill, and became very strong as it traveled through the Saragossa area. It crossed State Roads 5, 195, and 257, before entering Winston County.The tornado appeared to be at its most intense during the travel from US 78/SR 118 interchange across Saragossa and the areas near SR 5 and SR 195. Seven deaths occurred in this 10 mile stretch of the tornado track, along with an estimated 40 injuries.At 9:03 pm the tornado crossed the extreme southeastern tip of Winston County, crossing a part of Smith Lake.The tornado entered Cullman County at 9:08 pm, moving across portions of Smith Lake and across CR 222. Tornado intensity remained high during the first several miles after it entered Cullman County. Continuing northeast, it crossed Interstate 65 and US 31 just south of Cullman on the southside of the Cullman Golf Course.The tornado seemed to be significantly less intense as it continued to travel northeasterly toward Holly Pond. Damage from just east of US 31 to just south of Holly Pond was not nearly as intense as it was west of Interstate 65. Traveling through mostly rural areas downing trees and powerlines, and damaging scattered structures along the way, the tornado finally ended just south-southeast of Holly Pond at 9:52 pm, This was the longest tornado of the outbreak, with a path length of 72.6 miles and a width of 1100 yards. It was the second F3 tornado of the day. Seven deaths were reported with the storm, all in Walker County, along with an estimated 45 injuries.Structural damage details are difficult to report since reporting is based primarily on county and not by individual tornadoes. Based on EMA and Red Cross data, structures damaged or destroyed were approximately 20 in Fayette County, 300 in Walker County, 5 in Winston County, and 164 in Cullman County.This is also one of the longest tornadoes tracks in recent history. At 72.6 miles in length, this becomes the fourth longest tornado in Alabama since 1950.Beg: 33 45.072/87 45.991 End: 34 09.775/86 36.403