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| {{Short description|EF4 tornado that struck Alabama in April 2011}} | |||
| {{Infobox weather event | |||
| | formed = April 27, 2011, 2:40 p.m. ] (]) | |||
| | duration = 58 minutes | |||
| | dissipated = April 27, 2011, 3:38 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00) | |||
| | image = {{multiple image | border = infobox | perrow = 1/2 | total_width = 250 | image1 = 2011_Cullman_tornado_Dead_Man_Walking.webp | image2 = Cullman Alabama First Methodist Church Damage.jpg }} | |||
| | caption = '''Top:''' A photo of the tornado at EF4 intensity in downtown Cullman, displaying the distinctive ] "]" shape. | |||
| '''Bottom:''' EF4 damage to the First Methodist Church in downtown Cullman. | |||
| }}{{Infobox weather event/Tornado | |||
| | winds = {{convert|175|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}<ref name=":0"/> | |||
| | fujita-scale = EF4 | |||
| | torro-scale = | |||
| | basin = atl | |||
| }}{{Infobox weather event/Effects | |||
| | deaths = 6 | |||
| | injuries = 48 | |||
| | economic-year = 2011 | |||
| | damage = ~$13.5 million (2011 ]) | |||
| | economic-losses = | |||
| | areas = ], ] and ] | |||
| | refs = <ref>{{Cite web |last=McLamb |first=Stephen |date=April 28, 2016 |title=Ruth Community remembers 5 killed in 2011 tornado |url=https://www.waff.com/story/31834307/ruth-community-remembers-5-killed-in-2011-tornado/ |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=WAFF |language=en}}</ref><ref name="whnt.com">{{Cite web |date=April 26, 2012 |title=Hallmark Family Recovering After Tornado Deaths |url=https://whnt.com/news/northeast-alabama/hallmark-family-recovering-after-tornado-deaths/ |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=WHNT |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="OLaw">{{Cite web |last=Law |first=Olivia |date=2021-04-27 |title=Rebound: Cullman's tornado recovery makes huge leaps |url=https://www.cullmantribune.com/2021/04/27/rebound-cullmans-tornado-recovery-makes-huge-leaps/#:~:text=CULLMAN,%20Ala.,government%20properties%20and%20facilities%20alone. |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=The Cullman Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
| }}{{Infobox weather event/Footer | |||
| | season = ] and ] | |||
| }}On the afternoon of April 27, 2011, a large, long-tracked, and powerful ] moved across north-central ], striking numerous towns along its {{Convert|47|mi|km}} track, including ], ], ] and ]. The tornado killed 6, injured over 40, and impacted hundreds of structures. It occurred as part of the ], and was the second violent tornado of the outbreak, touching down after the ]. | |||
| The tornado first touched down in ] before entering the city limits of ], where EF4 damage was recorded to numerous buildings, including a large church in the downtown area. The tornado then left the Cullman area, moving through ] and heavily damaging multiple buildings located in the town. As the tornado tracked through ] and ] counties, it struck several smaller villages, including Ruth, where heavy damage was documented. Shortly after crossing the ], the tornado dissipated. | |||
| The tornado devastated downtown Cullman, inflicting an estimated $13.5 million (2011 ]) to the city and causing widespread power outages throughout Cullman County. The tornado had maximum estimated windspeeds of {{Convert|175|mph|km/h}}, classifying it as violent. Several buildings, many made of brick, in downtown Cullman were leveled by these winds, and the tornado directly preceded several other violent tornadoes that would touch down shortly after, including the ] 20 minutes before the Cullman tornado dissipated. | |||
| == Meteorological history == | |||
| {{Further|2011 Super Outbreak#Meteorological synopsis}} | |||
| On the morning of April 27, a strong ] with several areas of embedded ] extended from the ] northeastward towards the ] and the ], and later into the lower ]. Warm moist air was in place due to strong southerly flow ahead of the front over Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. An upper level disturbance sparked a broad area of ] and ]s as it moved across the frontal boundary on the previous evening. The eastern edge of the line of showers and storms continued to move eastward, in concert with the upper disturbance, reaching the northwest Alabama border around 2:00 a.m. CDT.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=US Department of Commerce |first=NOAA |title=Weather Setup: April 27th, 2011 Historic Tornado Outbreak |url=https://www.weather.gov/hun/hunsur_2011-04-27_setup |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association |language=EN-US}}{{source-attribution}}</ref> | |||
| This produced the last and most violent round of severe weather, which began around 2:30 p.m. CDT for northern Alabama as supercells began to line up to the southwest of the area. During the early afternoon hours, the potential for destructive tornadoes was highlighted by the ] upgrade to a ] for severe weather around 1:00 p.m. CDT. <ref name=":3"/> This prompted a ] (PDS) ], which was issued for northern Alabama and portions of southern ] at 1:45 p.m. CDT. The bulletin that accompanied the watch read:<ref>{{Cite web |last=Center |first=Storm Prediction |title=Storm Prediction Center Tornado/Severe Thunderstorm Watch Page |url=https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/watch/2011/ww0235.html |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=www.spc.noaa.gov |language=EN-US}}</ref> | |||
| {{Blockquote|text=THE NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF: MUCH OF ALABAMA, NORTHWEST GEORGIA, SOUTHEAST MISSISSIPPI, SOUTHERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE, EFFECTIVE THIS WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING FROM 145 PM UNTIL 1000 PM CDT. | |||
| {{red|...THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION...}} | |||
| DESTRUCTIVE TORNADOES...LARGE HAIL TO 4 INCHES IN DIAMETER. THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS TO 80 MPH...AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS.}} | |||
| The potential for tornadoes ramped up from noon through 9:00 p.m. CDT. During this period, much of Alabama experienced numerous ] that produced violent tornadoes, including five EF4 tornadoes, one being the Cullman tornado.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Morgan |first=Leigh |date=2022-04-27 |title=18 hours of horror: A look back at the tornadoes of April 27, 2011 |url=https://www.al.com/news/2022/04/18-hours-of-horror-a-look-back-at-the-tornadoes-of-april-27-2011.html |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=AL |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-11-25 |title=Remembering April 27, 2011 in photos |url=https://www.wvtm13.com/article/remembering-april-27-2011-in-photos/3827940 |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=WVTM 13 |language=en}}</ref> | |||
| == Tornado summary == | |||
| The tornado first touched down on the northeast side of ] at 2:40 p.m. CDT, and started moving to the northeast while slowly gaining intensity. As the tornado moved toward the Cullman area, it passed north of ], where EF1 damage was documented. After passing Grandview, the tornado became narrower, before rapidly widening to the southwest of Cullman.<ref name=":1" /> | |||
| === Track through Cullman === | |||
| [[File:CullmanTornadoPathInCullman.png|thumb|Track and intensity map of the tornado through downtown Cullman.{{divhide|Key}} | |||
| {{col-begin}} | |||
| {{color box|#7ef4d4}} EF0 65–85 mph<br/> | |||
| {{color box|#acfb82}} EF1 86–110 mph<br/> | |||
| {{color box|#f5f57b}} EF2 111–135 mph<br/> | |||
| {{color box|#eac57b}} EF3 136–165 mph<br/> | |||
| {{color box|#eb817d}} EF4 166–200 mph<br/> | |||
| {{col-end}} | |||
| {{divhide|end}}]] | |||
| ] | |||
| The tornado entered Cullman while being tracked and broadcast live via several tower cameras, including those operated by Birmingham ] affiliate ] (channel 6) and ] affiliate ]/]/] (channels 58, 33, and 40 – ABC 33/40), for several minutes. The ABC 33/40 camera captured the destruction of a communications tower belonging to Cullman area ] television station ] as the tornado ripped through the city at EF3 intensity. Radio stations in downtown Cullman also reported on the tornado and some even captured it passing over until power was knocked out.<ref name=":4" /> | |||
| Downtown Cullman was badly damaged by the tornado, with the major damage being along a two-block area through the center of the downtown business district. Numerous well-built brick buildings and storefronts in downtown Cullman were heavily damaged or completely destroyed, along with churches, as the tornado briefly attained EF4 intensity.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" /> | |||
| Damage to the Christ Lutheran Church in downtown was rated low-end EF4 as most of the structure completely collapsed. The courthouse and nearby emergency management building took a direct hit from the tornado, sustaining considerable damage, and two school buildings were heavily damaged as well. Many well-known businesses, such as Vincent's Furniture, '']'', and the Busy Bee Cafe, were also severely damaged/destroyed. Many homes were damaged or destroyed in residential areas of the city, with extensive tree and power line damage noted as well. In all, a total of 867 residences and 94 businesses within the city of Cullman were damaged or destroyed.<ref name=":5" /> | |||
| The tornado roughly followed ] through the city, in which it created extensive damage along many major intersections, including those with ], ], ], and ].<ref name=":0"/> The tornado continued northeast, becoming large and wedge-shaped as it reattained EF4 intensity.<ref name=":1" /> | |||
| === Fairview and Hulaco === | |||
| [[File:CullmanTornadoPathInFairview.png|thumb|Track and intensity map of the tornado as it moved through areas north of Fairview.{{NoteTag|Due to a software error, EF2+ damage lines are not visible.}}{{divhide|Key}} | |||
| {{col-begin}} | |||
| {{color box|#7ef4d4}} EF0 65–85 mph<br/> | |||
| {{color box|#acfb82}} EF1 86–110 mph<br/> | |||
| {{color box|#f5f57b}} EF2 111–135 mph<br/> | |||
| {{color box|#eac57b}} EF3 136–165 mph<br/> | |||
| {{color box|#eb817d}} EF4 166–200 mph<br/> | |||
| {{col-end}} | |||
| {{divhide|end}}]] | |||
| As the tornado left the city limits of Cullman, it struck County Road 506, located directly south of ], where EF1 damage was documented. Shortly after, while retaining EF1 intensity, the tornado moved north of ],<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Vest |first=Samantha |date=2017-04-27 |title=This week in Cullman history (April 25-May 2): Tornado outbreak of April 27, 2011 |url=https://www.cullmantribune.com/2017/04/27/this-week-in-cullman-history-april-25-may-2-tornado-outbreak-of-april-27-2011/ |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=The Cullman Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> where damage north of Highway was observed.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |work=National Weather Service Huntsville, Alabama |title=April 27th, Cullman, Morgan, Marshall EF4 Tornado |url=https://www.weather.gov/hun/4272011_cullman_county |access-date=2024-11-07 |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |language=EN-US |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106031025/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hun/?n=4272011_cullman_county |archive-date=November 6, 2013}}</ref> The tornado rapidly intensified as it moved north of ]. Several trees that lined ] were debarked at EF4 intensity, and trees were snapped at EF1 intensity. Two well-constructed homes were destroyed north of Fairview, and large portions of the homes were never recovered.<ref name=":0" /> One home was heavily damaged at EF3 intensity, and the tornado continued to move in a northeastward direction towards ].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=April 28, 2011 |title=Damage Assessment Toolkit (DAT) |url=https://apps.dat.noaa.gov/stormdamage/damageviewer/ |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=]}}</ref> | |||
| The tornado rapidly intensified again as it approached the western edge of Hulaco, where a home was completely destroyed at EF4 intensity. Several trees in the area were debarked as the windspeed of the tornado approached {{Convert|150|mph|km/h}}.<ref name=":1" /> An ] was crumpled and bent over at EF3 intensity nearby, and several more trees were debarked and damaged at EF2 intensity as the tornado neared downtown Hulaco. EF4 damage was recorded in the center of Hulaco, where a home was obliterated.<ref name=":1" /> The tornado left a swath of EF4 damage through the eastern portions of Hulaco, and this intensity was retained for several miles. The tornado continued to move northeastward, narrowly avoiding the center of ], where the worst damage from the tornado was documented. Along Hog Jaw Road, a large storage shed with farm equipment was destroyed and some of the large machinery was tossed {{Convert|60|ft|m}} away from the shed.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
| === Damage to Ruth === | |||
| [[File:CullmanTornadoPathInRuth.png|thumb|Track and intensity map of the tornado as it moved through areas east of Ruth.{{divhide|Key}} | |||
| {{col-begin}} | |||
| {{color box|#7ef4d4}} EF0 65–85 mph<br/> | |||
| {{color box|#acfb82}} EF1 86–110 mph<br/> | |||
| {{color box|#f5f57b}} EF2 111–135 mph<br/> | |||
| {{color box|#eac57b}} EF3 136–165 mph<br/> | |||
| {{color box|#eb817d}} EF4 166–200 mph<br/> | |||
| {{col-end}} | |||
| {{divhide|end}}]] | |||
| ] | |||
| The tornado crossed into ], and passed west of ], where a home was damaged at EF1 intensity.<ref name=":1" /> As the tornado passed east of ], it became violent, destroying a home and leaving a bare, debris-swept ] where it once stood.{{NoteTag|"Slabs" refer to the concrete or brick foundations that homes lay atop, a building feature common in the United States. The tornado obliterated the home, removing its walls and leaving the foundation exposed.|name=a}} The tornado was estimated to have windspeeds of {{Convert|175|mph|km/h}} in this area, its most intense point. Several large trees in the vicinity of the home were ripped out of the ground, and a Jet Pep gas station was completely destroyed. Two of the gas pumps were ripped out of the ground, and were never recovered.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 29, 2011 |title=In Arab, killer tornado breaks hearts and wrecks lives |url=https://www.al.com/breaking/2011/04/in_arab_killer_tornado_breaks.html |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=AL |language=en}}</ref> Five of the fatalities from the tornado occurred in Ruth, all of whom were in the same family.<ref name="whnt.com">{{Cite web |date=April 26, 2012 |title=Hallmark Family Recovering After Tornado Deaths |url=https://whnt.com/news/northeast-alabama/hallmark-family-recovering-after-tornado-deaths/ |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=WHNT |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
| A shed was destroyed with pieces of large farm machinery stored inside thrown up to {{convert|20|yd|m}} away, a storage trailer was tossed {{convert|100|yd|m}} and found impaled by planks of wood, and steel power poles in the area were bent over. As the tornado left Ruth, it slightly widened before narrowing and crossing ] at EF3 intensity.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Owens |first=Tiffeny |date=2016-04-24 |title=Five years later, Hanceville tornado brings back emotions |url=https://www.cullmantimes.com/news/five-years-later-hanceville-tornado-brings-back-emotions/article_1a240980-09d3-11e6-90d5-a3d26c0e25c0.html |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=The Cullman Times |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> The tornado then began to weaken, before turning slightly to the east. It passed west of ],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-04-27 |title=April 27, 2011 tornado damage - Union Grove, AL |url=https://www.rocketcitynow.com/article/news/local/tornadoes-april-27-2011-alabama-union-grove-damage/525-7e916fc1-5c22-4c2d-8905-b1bf0f17ca1b |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=Rocket City NOW |language=en-US}}</ref> and then crossed the ] at EF1 intensity. Several trees were snapped on the other side of the river, and the tornado crossed ] before dissipating at 3:38 p.m. CDT.<ref>{{Cite web |last=US Department of Commerce |first=NOAA |title=Alabama Tornadoes 2011 |url=https://www.weather.gov/bmx/tornadodb_2011 |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association |language=EN-US}}</ref> | |||
| {{Clear}} | |||
| == Aftermath == | |||
| Cullman was devastated by the tornado, where several businesses and homes were completely destroyed.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2021-04-27 |title=From flattened to booming: How a Cullman diner found a silver lining in the 2011 tornado |url=https://www.cbs42.com/special-reports/from-flattened-to-booming-how-a-cullman-business-found-a-silver-lining-following-the-2011-tornado/ |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=CBS 42 |language=en-US}}</ref> A fire station and the Cullman Emergency Ambulance Service building were heavily damaged.<ref name=":2" /> The Busy Bee Café, located on Fifth Street in downtown Cullman, was destroyed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-04-28 |title=Kyle Spears |url=https://www.southernfoodways.org/interview/kyle-spears/ |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=Southern Foodways Alliance |language=en-US}}</ref> Exactly a year after the tornado, the Cafe reopened in the same location where it was destroyed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 27, 2012 |title=Cullman's Busy Bee Café reopens 1 year after destruction |url=https://www.wbrc.com/story/17833569/cullmans-busy-bee-caf-reopens-1-year-after-destruction/ |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=WBRC |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-04-24 |title=ADVISORY: Governor Bentley Continues Long-Term Recovery Tour of Tornado-Damaged Communities |url=https://algop.org/advisory-governor-bentley-continues-long-term-recovery-tour-of-tornado-damaged-communities/ |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=Alabama Republican Party |language=en-US}}</ref> The ] Radio Tower and a ] were both destroyed during the tornado, and the latter was not put back online until the following year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Times |first=David PalmerThe Cullman |date=2011-12-17 |title=Weather tower, transmitter expected to be functional by end of January |url=https://www.cullmantimes.com/community/weather-tower-transmitter-expected-to-be-functional-by-end-of-january/article_1a8a72aa-9315-5c42-ae9f-ddfa53719958.html |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=The Cullman Times |language=en}}</ref> A bulletin published by the National Weather Service office in Huntsville stated that the tower would be indefinitely down.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Bill |date=May 1, 2011 |title=Cullman Weatheradio Transmitter Destroyed |url=https://www.alabamawx.com/?p=47293 |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=AlabamaWx}}</ref>]Widespread power outages occurred in the immediate aftermath of the tornado, which were largely centered in Cullman County.<ref name="OLaw"/> Almost 200 power poles in and around Cullman were leveled, and 4,000 volunteers from the ] helped to restore power, although some residents were still without power a week after the tornado.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Tennessee Valley Authority |date=2021-04-28 |title=TVA looks back on 2011 storm recovery efforts |url=https://www.cullmantimes.com/news/tva-looks-back-on-2011-storm-recovery-efforts/article_032d1db8-a82d-11eb-ab66-effc69ff75cf.html |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=The Cullman Times |language=en}}</ref> The State of Alabama gave $5,989,728 (2011 ]) to the City of Cullman to aid with recovery efforts, and a further $1,294,892 (2011 USD) to Cullman County.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=2011 Tornadoes |url=https://adeca.alabama.gov/cdbg-disaster-recovery/2011-tornadoes/ |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=ADECA |language=en-US}}</ref> A plan was also set in place by the ] to help fund recovery efforts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Preliminary Economic and Fiscal Impacts of the April 27, 2011 Tornadoes on Alabama |url=https://cber.culverhouse.ua.edu/2019/07/24/preliminary-economic-and-fiscal-impacts-of-the-april-27-2011-tornadoes-on-alabama/ |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=University of Alabama |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
| Six people were killed by the tornado; five in Ruth and one in rural Cullman County.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-04-30 |title=Alabama tornado casualties: A list of those who died in the April 27, 2011 storms |url=https://www.al.com/wire/2011/04/alabama_tornado_casualties_a_l.html |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=AL |language=en}}</ref> The five deaths in Ruth occurred when the tornado directly impacted a well-constructed home at EF4 intensity, leveling the building and killing all of the residents of the home; all were in the same family. The sixth death as a result of the tornado took place in Cullman County, in the tornado's early stages.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" /> Storm chaser Dan Whittaker, who was observing the tornado as it moved through Cullman near him, stated that "this is not like any tornado I’ve seen anywhere."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Prout |first=Teresa |date=2018-07-27 |title=Dan Whittaker: Documenting 'the finger of God' |url=https://greensboro.com/dan-whittaker-documenting-the-finger-of-god/article_6f0adff7-06c2-5260-b1a1-ab0f94926f0d.html |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=Greensboro News and Record |language=en}}</ref> | |||
| == See also == | |||
| * ], another violent and destructive multi-vortex tornado | |||
| * ], another EF4 tornado that hit Alabama on the same day | |||
| == References and notes == | |||
| === Notes === | |||
| <references group="note" /> | |||
| === Footnotes === | |||
| <references /> | |||
| === Sources === | |||
| * {{Cite web |date= |title=April 27th, Cullman, Morgan, Marshall EF4 Tornado |url=https://www.weather.gov/hun/4272011_cullman_county |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=]}}{{PD-notice|].}} | |||
| * {{Cite web |date= |title=April 27th 2011 Severe Weather Setup |url=https://www.weather.gov/hun/hunsur_2011-04-27_setup |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=]}}{{PD-notice|].}} | |||
| {{Alabama tornado events}} | |||
| {{2011 Super Outbreak}} | |||
| {{2011 tornado outbreaks}} | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
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