2011 Shoal Creek Valley–Ohatchee tornado

2011 tornado in Alabama, U.S.A May 2025 February 2025 April 27, 2011, 6:28 p.m. CDT (UTC–05:00) 1 hour, 57 minutes April 27, 2011, 9:25 p.m. EDT (8:25 PM CDT) (UTC–05:00) infobox 1/2 300 Shoal Creek Valley Alabama Tornado April 27, 2011.jpg EF4 damage to a home in Shoal Creek Valley, Alabama.jpg Ohatcheeradar.gif Ohatcheetornadoaerial.jpg Shoalcreek-ohatcheetornadodamage.jpg A collage of images in a clockwise order: a photo of the tornado along the Coosa River, a radar still of the tornado near the Coosa River, destruction along the eastern bank of the Coosa River, an aerial view of the tornado's path, and a house leveled by the tornado at the Coosa River. Clockwise from top: The EF4 tornado approaching and crossing the Coosa River; radar imagery of the tornado in the vicinity of Shoal Creek Valley; devastation along the eastern bank of the Coosa River northwest of Ohatchee, Alabama; an aerial view of the tornado's path in the Shoal Creek Valley; a house leveled on the eastern bank of the Coosa River. 180 mph km/h on 1760 yd mi km 97.33 mi km EF4 85 2011 $366,755,000 (>$ in US USD) East-central Alabama, particulary Jefferson, St. Clair, Calhoun, and Cherokee counties & western Georgia, particularly Polk, Floyd, and Bartow counties 22 2011 Super Outbreak and Tornadoes of 2011 During the evening hours of April 27, 2011, a large and violent EF4 tornado devastated the northern portion of Ohatchee and the beachside homes on the Coosa River and many other communities in Eastern Alabama. This tornado was one of the fifteen violent tornadoes to happen during the extremely active 2011 Super Outbreak, which is the largest and costliest tornado outbreak in United States history. The long-track wedge tornado touched down a few miles northeast of Trussville and traveled 97 miles from Alabama to Georgia. Throughout its track, the tornado widened to its maximum peak width of 1,760 yards (1609 m) and peaked with an estimated wind speed of 180 mph (290 km/h); the tornado caused 22 fatalities and injured 85 people and did $367 million in damage. Meteorological setup left|thumb|264x264px|A high risk outlined for most of Alabama and parts of Mississippi, Tennessee, and Georgia. On April 23, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) began monitoring the potential for a substantial severe weather outbreak in the extended range.Steve Goss April 23, 2011 Day 4-8 Severe Weather Outlook Issued on Apr 23, 2011 http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/exper/day4-8/archive/2011/day4-8_20110423.html December 7, 2013 Storm Prediction Center National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration As a shortwave trough tracked across portions of the Mid-South and southeastern United States, moderate instability and strong wind shear ahead of a trailing cold front was expected to promote the development of supercell thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds.Steve Goss April 24, 2011 Day 4-8 Severe Weather Outlook Issued on Apr 24, 2011 http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/exper/day4-8/archive/2011/day4-8_20110424.html December 7, 2013 Storm Prediction Center National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Two days before the event, on April 25, the SPC issued a moderate risk of severe weather encompassing portions of central and eastern Kentucky, middle and eastern Tennessee, northeast Mississippi, central and northern Alabama, and northwest Georgia. Due to the combination of rich low-level moisture, strong shear, and focused large-scale ascent, there was relatively high confidence across the outlined area for strong tornadoes – a tornado rated EF2 or higher on the Enhanced Fujita scale – and widespread damaging winds.Steve Goss April 25, 2011 Apr 25, 2011 0730 UTC Day 3 Severe Thunderstorm Outlook http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2011/day3otlk_20110425_0730.html December 7, 2013 Storm Prediction Center National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration By the morning of April 27, the SPC upgraded to a high risk of severe weather,Ryan Jewell April 27, 2011 Apr 27, 2011 1200 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2011/day1otlk_20110427_1200.html December 7, 2013 Storm Prediction Center National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration noting that a dangerous tornado outbreak capable of producing several violent – EF4 tornado or stronger on the Enhanced Fujita scale – and long-track tornadoes was expected.Ariel Cohen Richard Thompson April 27, 2011 Apr 27, 2011 1300 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2011/day1otlk_20110427_1300.html December 7, 2013 Storm Prediction Center National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationAriel Cohen April 27, 2011 Public Severe Weather Outlook http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2011/pwo_201104271035.html December 7, 2013 Storm Prediction Center National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Shortly before noon, the probability of tornadoes within 25 miles of a location was increased even further to 45%, a level exceeding even typical high-risk standards, for an area including Tuscaloosa. The forecast continued to emphasize the risk of strong/violent and very damaging tornadoes, as confidence increased even further regarding the risk of an extreme, high-end tornado outbreak. Throughout the afternoon hours, in the wake of two earlier mesoscale convective systems, the air mass across western and northern portions of Alabama began to quickly destabilize, with mixed layer convective available potential energy (CAPE) estimated in the 2500–4000 j/kg range and low-level dew points of 70 - 72 F surging northward from Louisiana. Meanwhile, the wind shear environment became substantially more favorable as an 80–100 kn mid-level jet ejected eastward into the region. At 1:45 p.m. CDT (18:45 UTC), a Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) tornado watch was issued for much of Alabama, northwest Georgia, southeast Mississippi, and southern middle Tennessee, with a >95% probability of at least two tornadoes and one or more strong tornadoes.John Hart April 27, 2011 Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) Tornado Watch 235 http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/watch/2011/ww0235.html December 7, 2013 Storm Prediction Center National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Event summary yes yes center 300 2011superoutbreakEF3+.map 33.9491 -85.7579 7 Damage survey track of this tornado (centermost red line), as well as the tracks of other EF3+ tornadoes that occurred during 2011 Super Outbreak.(Interactive map, click or tap to view in detail)View mapdata Key #00aac8 EF0 65–85 mph km/h on #5db350 EF1 86–110 mph km/h on #ffbb40 EF2 111–135 mph km/h on #ff7a00 EF3 136–165 mph km/h on #c70000 EF4 166–200 mph km/h on #94008a EF5 ≥201 mph km/h on end Formation in Jefferson county & devastation in St. Clair County Shortly after the dissipation of a previous violent tornado, which caused severe damage in Tuscaloosa and northern suburbs of Birmingham, the parent supercell quickly cycled and produced a new tornado just to the north of Trussville in far eastern Jefferson County at 6:28 p.m. CDT (UTC–05:00). Initially very weak and insignificant, the tornado moved east-northeastwards, crossing I-59 and causing minor damage as it snapped and uprooted hardwood trees. Here, the tornado was approximately 100 yd km wide, fluctuating between EF0-EF1 intensity.Damage Viewer (PROD) https://apps.dat.noaa.gov/stormdamage/damageviewer/?page=Page 2026-09-24 apps.dat.noaa.gov Crossing into St. Clair County at 6:32 p.m.,Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/314886 2026-09-24 www.ncei.noaa.gov the tornado approached and passed through the northern side of Margaret, growing further to 250 yd km wide as it did so, yet remaining at EF0 intensity. This width was maintained as the tornado passed northwest of Odenville, regaining EF1 intensity as numerous hardwood trees were snapped and uprooted at winds of up to 105 mph km/h. The tornado then turned northeastwards, moving along a path just south and parallel to the Beaver Creek Mountains before veering east-northeastwards into Shoal Creek Valley north of Ragland, where it quickly became significant. alt=A house leveled and nearly swept away amid destruction.|thumb|A house leveled at EF4 intensity in Shoal Creek valley near Neely Henry Lake. In Shoal Creek Valley, the tornado followed Shoal Creek Road, both strengthening and widening.US Department of Commerce NOAA Alabama Tornadoes 2011 https://www.weather.gov/bmx/tornadodb_2011 2026-09-24 www.weather.gov NOAA's National Weather Service EN-US The tornado abruptly strengthened to low-end EF3 intensity with winds of up to 140 mph, collapsing all of the exterior walls of several brick facade homes, leaving interior rooms and fireplaces the only thing left standing in many cases. Swaths of trees along the adjacent mountains were snapped or felled. Just to the east, the tornado was “at least” 880 yd km mi wide, with every tree along the center of the damage path mangled. After a brief weakening phase, the tornado abruptly strengthened to mid-range EF4 intensity, completely destroying a 40-year-old house partially made of brick, killing one person and severely injuring another. In contrast, houses on the other side of the street were spared exterior walls. Dozens of other houses along the road were damaged or completely destroyed amid severe tree damage; of 22 total fatalities from the tornado, 14 occurred along this road alone.US Department of Commerce NOAA Argo-Shoal Creek-Ohatchee-Forney Tornado - April 27, 2011 https://www.weather.gov/bmx/event_04272011ohatchee 2026-09-24 www.weather.gov NOAA's National Weather Service EN-US Retaining its violent status, the tornado, now up to one mile wide, then turned due eastwards and crossed over the Neely Henry Lake/Coosa River into northern Calhoun County, damaging or destroying several lakeside homes on the western bank. From the Shoal Creek Valley west of the lake, the tornado had picked up a firetruck, carrying it 100-150 yd km away and dropping it into the water; the driver was thrown with it and survived.2011-05-02 Tornado picks up chief, fire truck in Ala. https://www.firerescue1.com/firefighter-safety/articles/tornado-picks-up-chief-fire-truck-in-ala-3KGCdK6iJxrtqzXQ/ 2026-09-24 FireRescue1 en-US2011-07-23 FIRE CHIEF RECALLS ENCOUNTER WITH A TORNADO THAT SLUNG HIS APPARATUS-AND HIM! https://www.firefighterclosecalls.com/fire-chief-recalls-encounter-with-a-tornado-that-slung-his-apparatus-and-him/ 2026-09-24 Firefighter Close Calls Firefighter Close Calls is the home of the Secret List. The worlds most visited website focused exclusively on firefighter survival en-US alt=Trees are denuded and partially debarked among destruction.|thumb|Devastation of structures & vegetation on the eastern bank of Neely Henry Lake. Trees are left denuded and partially debarked. Further devastation in Calhoun, Etowah, and Cherokee counties Entering Calhoun County at 8:04 p.m. CDT, the tornado made landfall west of AL 77, destroying several houses at mid-range EF4 intensity just west of the road. Many houses, some well-built, were leveled or almost completely swept away, and large trees were left denuded and partially debarked. Nearby outbuildings and mobile homes were similarly destroyed, though only granted an EF2 rating. Four people died in this area, although the exact amount of injuries sustained was unknown; the maximum winds in this area reached 180 mph km/h.Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/314900 2026-09-24 www.ncei.noaa.gov The tornado then turned northeastwards once more, shrinking in size and weakening to mid-range EF3 intensity. Along Cochran Springs Road north of Ohatchee, several houses, older and of weaker construction, completely collapsed as the tornado struck with winds of up to 150 mph km/h. The tornado then briefly weakened to EF2 intensity, causing significant roof damage to well-built homes and felling trees. The tornado regained EF3 intensity shortly thereafter, which it retained for a considerable amount of its time in Calhoun County. Along Rock Springs Road, the tornado denuded and partially debarked several trees and caused significant roof damage to houses nearby, still at least 1 mi yd km wide. The tornado then crossed US 431, where numerous trees were felled and at least one house had large portions of its roof removed. To the east, just off of Reads Mill Road, the tornado collapsed the exterior walls of a well-built brick home and damaged several other houses and mobile homes, retaining its mile wide width. thumb|A building completely leveled at EF4 intensity along Rocky Hollow Road. The tornado, now having weakened back to EF2 strength, stumped, snapped, and uprooted several trees and removed portions of roof from multiple well built houses. Another house, although comparatively poorer in construction, had most of its wall collapsed. The tornado then abruptly intensified to mid-range EF4 intensity along Rocky Hollow Road northeast of Wellington, damaging or destroying several houses and buildings. One church building was completely leveled and possibly swept clean, and nearby trees were denuded and partially debarked. The tornado then weakened back to EF2 intensity, at which it would remain for the large majority of its remaining time in Calhoun County. Just south of the Etowah County border, the tornado completely destroyed a mobile home and caused significant roof damage to several homes, scattering debris downwind and snapping numerous trees; by this point, the tornado had killed nine people in Calhoun County. The tornado weakened to EF1 intensity as it very briefly entered Etowah County, mainly causing tree damage there.Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/314906 2026-09-24 www.ncei.noaa.gov Moving back into Calhoun County, the tornado produced a wide swath of tree damage up a hill, causing severe roof damage to several houses along US 278.Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/314923 2026-09-24 www.ncei.noaa.gov Many trees were reduced to stubs, and "massive" tree damage occurred on an adjacent mountain. The tornado then killed another person, making for an eighth death in the county, and damaged several houses at the county border before entering Cherokee County, during which it regained EF2 intensity, severely damaging several mobile homes along County Road 67. The tornado subsequently strengthened further to mid-range EF3 intensity as it crossed AL 9 north of Piedmont, collapsing all of the walls of a "not-so-well-built" home with winds of 150 mph km/h.Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/314944 2026-09-24 www.ncei.noaa.gov The tornado then weakened back to EF1 intensity, snapping and uprooting swaths of hardwood trees and causing severe roof damage to a cinder block structure as it moved through southern Cherokee County. Nearing the Georgia border, the tornado, by this point at least 880 yd mi km wide, quickly and briefly strengthened to high-end EF3 intensity, completely collapsing a well-built frame home and damaging several trees and structures nearby; surveyors noted that the damage here was possibly indicative of EF4 intensity. The tornado subsequently weakened back to EF1 intensity. One fatality occurred along this portion of the path. Continuation into Georgia & damage and dissipation in Polk, Floyd, and Bartow counties Passing into northwestern Polk County, Georgia six miles southwest of Cave Spring, the tornado immediately strengthened to mid-range EF2 intensity, at which it would remain for a large portion of its time in Georgia. In Polk County, 106 structures sustained damage; 49 minor, 34 major, 23 destroyed.Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/305338 2026-09-24 www.ncei.noaa.gov Along the Polk–Floyd county line, the tornado destroyed at least eight chicken houses.US Department of Commerce NOAA Remembering the April 27th and 28th, 2011 Super Tornado Outbreak https://www.weather.gov/ffc/20110427_svrstorms#polk 2026-09-24 www.weather.gov NOAA's National Weather Service EN-US Moving into southern Floyd County and passing south of Cave Spring, the tornado caused severe roof damage to a house and snapped adjacent trees. To the east, along Old Cedartown Road, the tornado collapsed the exterior walls of a house.Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/305343 2026-09-24 www.ncei.noaa.gov Maximum winds in Polk & Floyd counties (and Georgia as a whole) reached 125 mph km/h. Four people were injured in the latter county. Along Highway 27, the tornado removed the roof from an outbuilding at low-end EF2 intensity. The tornado subsequently weakened back to EF1 intensity north of Bethel, which it would remain at as it passed southeast of Rome. The tornado then crossed into far-western Bartow County, shrinking and weakening to EF0-EF1 intensity as it felled trees & power lines and destroyed two chicken houses,Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/305915 2026-09-24 www.ncei.noaa.gov subsequently dissipating four miles southwest of Kingston along US 411 at 9:45 p.m. EST (8:45 p.m. CDT), having tracked for 97.33 mi km and killing 22 people, injuring 81. Aftermath June 2026 June 2026 thumb|A class sign for Warrant Office Career College Class 11–17, at Fort Novosel dedicated to the April tornado victims in Shoal Creek Valley. After the tornadoes of the 27th, Alabama's Surplus Property Division (a subdivision of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs) provided supplies for devastated communities in Calhoun County and arranged shelters for people who lost their homes in Jefferson and St. Clair counties. The agency also provided ten of thousands of bags of ice, cases of water bottles, meal kits, and boxes of tarpaulins.Tornado Recovery Action Council 2017 report on 4/27/11 https://ema.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/trac_report.pdf See also Tornadoes of 2011 List of tornadoes in the 2011 Super Outbreak List of F4 and EF4 tornadoes (2010–2019) Tornado outbreak sequence of March 24–28, 2021 References Category:2011 natural disasters in the United States Category:2011 in Alabama 2011-04-27 04-27 2011-04-27 2011-04-27 Category:April 2011 in the United States Category:2011 Super Outbreak