News Summary
An EF-2 tornado struck Madison and Limestone counties in Alabama, causing significant damage but fortunately no injuries. The tornado made landfall near Athens and traveled a destructive path, uprooting trees and damaging homes, particularly in Madison County. A separate EF-2 tornado impacted the Killingsworth Cove area, resulting in severe structural damage, including the destruction of a mobile home. Community members and emergency crews are now focused on cleanup and recovery efforts following the storms.
Madison and Limestone Counties, Alabama Hit by EF-2 Tornado
The National Weather Service (NWS) has confirmed that an EF-2 tornado caused significant damage in Madison and Limestone counties, Alabama, on Tuesday evening. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries from the storm. The tornado first made landfall at approximately 6:09 p.m., five miles south-southeast of Athens.
The tornado traveled a path of 13.15 miles with a maximum width of 380 yards and estimated wind speeds peaking at 125 mph. Numerous storm chasers captured images and video as the tornado approached Tanner, Alabama. As it crossed Interstate 65 near the Highway 31 intersection, it uprooted and snapped multiple trees, marking a clear trail of destruction.
Damage Reports in Madison County
After tracking eastward past Huntsville-Brownsferry Road, the tornado caused various levels of damage. In Madison County, several single-family homes near County Line Road saw minor roof damage, alongside numerous downed or uprooted trees. One residence, located west of County Line Road, reported substantial damage to its west-facing facade.
Tree damage was particularly severe in the area between County Line Road and Wall Triana Highway, where numerous trees fell onto residential properties. The tornado intensified near Hughes Road, impacting homes near Downing Ridge and Millsford Road, where two houses experienced significant roof damage.
The tornado is believed to have dissipated at approximately 6:35 p.m., just before reaching Slaughter Road.
Killingsworth Cove Tornado Impact
Alongside the tornado in Madison and Limestone counties, a separate EF-2 tornado wreaked havoc in the Killingsworth Cove area, hitting with winds of up to 134 mph. This twister emerged from the same supercell that generated the aforementioned tornadoes across North Central Alabama, leaving its mark of destruction on the community.
Originating along Acuff Road, east of Boulder Trail, the Killingsworth Cove tornado damaged a barn and uprooted several trees. The storm completely destroyed a mobile home, flinging its frame an estimated 150 to 200 yards from its original site. Fortunately, the occupants had evacuated to a nearby shelter, which likely saved their lives. Debris from the mobile home was found scattered throughout the surrounding area.
Additionally, significant structural damage was noted on neighboring homes, with some residences suffering projectile impacts and major roof damage. An inspection of a home at the junction of Killingsworth Cove Road and JB Hawkins Road revealed severe structural issues attributed to the lack of anchoring bolts, relying instead on toe-nailed connections.
The tornado continued its path northeast along JB Hawkins Road, causing widespread tree damage as it moved. While local NWS survey teams have begun assessments of the damage, they were unable to evaluate areas extending beyond the Madison County line into Jackson County. Ongoing analysis, including drone footage review, is expected to provide more comprehensive insights into the storm’s impact.
Conclusion
While the storms unleashed considerable destruction in Madison and Limestone counties, the absence of injuries is a positive outcome amid the chaos. Community members and emergency crews will now focus on cleanup efforts and rebuilding as they recover from the impacts of this severe weather event.
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Additional Resources
- WVTM13
- Wikipedia: Tornado
- WAAYTV
- Google Search: Madison and Limestone County tornado
- WAFF
- Google Scholar: tornado damage assessment
- Rocket City Now
- Encyclopedia Britannica: tornado
- MSN News
- Google News: tornado impact Madison County
Author: STAFF HERE HUNTSVILLE WRITER
The HUNTSVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHuntsville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Huntsville, Madison County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Panoply Arts Festival, Rocket City Brewfest, and Huntsville Comic & Pop Culture Expo. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce and HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, plus leading businesses in aerospace, defense, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Boeing, SAIC, and Mazda Toyota Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBirmingham.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
