1995 Joppa–Arab tornado

1995 tornado in Alabama, U.S. May 2026 Joppa Elementary School damage.png A black-and-white shot of an elementary school with destroyed brick walls. Significant damage to the Joppa Elementary School February 16, 1995 atl F3 158-206 mph km/h 6 (+2 indirect) 130 1995 Marshall County, Alabama Tornadoes of 1995 In the early morning hours of February 16, 1995, an intense tornado impacted the communities of Joppa and Arab, both located in the U.S. state of Alabama. The tornado, which was rated F3 on the Fujita scale, damaged or destroyed many structures along a 14 mi km on long, 703 yd m wide path that stretched through Marshall County. Six people were killed during the event and 130 others sustained injuries. A lack of warnings leading up to the tornado as well as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) response were sources of controversies. Tornado summary The tornado first touched down near Alabama State Routes 67 and 69, located near the Marshall County line.Robinson Carol Archibald John February 16, 1995 Twisters hit state, killing at least three The Birmingham News Birmingham, Alabama 65 Along State Route 69 the Joppa General Store suffered canopy and sign damage.Silkora Frank March 2, 1995 Joppa climbs back, fears for its school The Birmingham News Birmingham, Alabama 136 It then moved into Joppa, damaging the Joppa Junior High School and Department of Transportation office in town. At least 20 structures sustained some form of damage along this portion of the tornado's path; Joppa Elementary was largely destroyed,Johnson Bob March 3, 1995 Joppa wants school saved Birmingham Post-Herald Birmingham, Alabama 1 with the gym and lunch rooms being demolished. The original Joppa School and former college was additionally heavily damaged on the property. Between Joppa and Arab the tornado snapped and uprooted hardwood trees.Archibald John Robinson Carol February 17, 1995 Four dead, more than 11 injured in Alabama The Birmingham News Birmingham, Alabama 12 As the tornado moved over Main Street it reached an estimated 0.5 mi km in width, completely destroying numerous structures.Johnson Bob February 17, 1995 Residents wake to horror Birmingham Post-Herald Birmingham, Alabama 8 The Amberwood Apartment complex suffered extensive roofing damage from the tornado,Reeves Jay February 16, 1995 At least 4 die in Arab tornado The Anniston Star Anniston, Alabama 1Nichols Laranda February 17, 1995 Officials assess damage The Huntsville Times Huntsville, Alabama 7 where one person was killed.Johnson Bob February 28, 1995 President angers residents of tornado-hit areas Birmingham Post-Herald Birmingham, Alabama 1 Near U.S. Highway 231 an office housing the Arab Tribune suffered significant damage; a clock inside the building recorded 5:02 a.m.For consistency, all times in the article are in Central Daylight Time. as the time of the tornado's impact at the property.Nichols Laranda February 20, 1995 Storm can't stop the presses The Huntsville Times Huntsville, Alabama 1, 7 The tornado impacted the Berry Trailer Park on the southern side of town, lofting a child 50 yd m and destroying trailer homes.February 17, 1995 Tornado hits Ala. town; 3 killed The Macon Telegraph Macon, Georgia 4 The tornado then impacted a cemetery, where debris was thrown across a street.2009-02-17 14 years later survivors reflect on deadly tornado in Arab https://www.waff.com/story/9855285/14-years-later-survivors-reflect-on-deadly-tornado-in-arab/ 2026-05-07 WAFF-TV en After leaving Arab the tornado continued to the northeast, crossing the Tennessee River before lifting. It was on the ground for 14 miles, reaching a maximum estimated width of 703 yards;Alabama Tornadoes 1995 https://www.weather.gov/bmx/tornadodb_1995 2026-05-07 National Weather Service EN-US2025-02-16 Arab-Joppa tornado anniversary prompts reflection on storm warnings and safety advancements https://www.rocketcitynow.com/article/weather/weather-30th-anniversary-of-devastating-arab-joppa-tornado/525-54bf1e3e-81cc-45ce-8643-7512b4ebb7fd 2026-05-07 WZDX en-US Aftermath Damage and recovery NEXRAD observations of the storm led the tornado to be rated F3 on the Fujita scale, with maximum estimated wind speeds from 158-206 mph km/h. Authorities closed off access to portions of Joppa and Arab to prevent looting. 40 inmates from the Limestone County Correctional Facility were deployed to Arab to aid rescue crews in cleanup following the event.Brewer David February 21, 1995 Limestone inmates to help with tornado clean-up work The Huntsville Times Huntsville, Alabama 10 In March 1996, a $150,000 (1996 USD) warning siren system was installed in Arab that includes eight sirens, including one near U.S. Highway 231 with a memorial plaque.March 1, 1996 Arab to honor tornado victims The Huntsville Times Huntsville, Alabama 12Nichols Laranda March 15, 1996 Plaque is a reminder of sad event The Huntsville Times Huntsville, Alabama 13 Casualties Six people were killed by the tornado, including one person in Joppa and five in Arab.February 21, 1995 Death toll at 5 in Arab-Joppa tornado The Birmingham News Birmingham, Alabama 12 Two additional deaths occurred in a car accident along U.S. Route 31 near Cullman. The Guntersville–Arab Medical Center reported on February 17 that 66 people had been treated for injuries in relation to the tornado,1995-02-17 Tornado Kills 3 in Alabama; Over 100 Hurt https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-02-17-mn-32956-story.html 2026-05-07 Los Angeles Times en-US Los Angeles, California while four others were transferred to the Huntsville Hospital. 13 of the patients had been listed in critical condition. +List of fatalities attributed to the tornadoNameAgeLocationTownElanor M. Allred88Cullman Regional Medical CenterCullmanOra Lee Whitaker70Guntersville–Arab Medical CenterArabKristen Parker4South Main StreetRobert Earl Hayes49Brashiers Chapel RoadJoseph David Price36Thomas Falls Gap RoadUnborn childN/AN/ANichols Laranda March 31, 1995 Arab mayor is not happy with FEMA The Huntsville Times Huntsville, Alabama 12Nichols Laranda February 21, 1995 Tornado death toll rises The Huntsville Times Huntsville, Alabama 10 Controversies Following the event, controversies sprang up regarding both National Weather Service (NWS) claims regarding warning time before the tornado hit and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) response.Salinero Mike March 16, 1995 Baron says NWS lied on tornado The Huntsville Times Huntsville, Alabama 13 WAAY-TV meteorologist Bob Baron accused the NWS of lying about how much lead time was given as the tornado approached Arab, noting that "[NWS] Birmingham has been saying that they can take over the Tennessee Valley they failed to issue a warning for Cullman and Joppa, and that is their current responsibility".Salinero Mike March 16, 1995 Baron says NWS lied on tornado The Huntsville Times Huntsville, Alabama 13-14 Arab Police Lieutenant Danny Harvell stated in regard to the warning time that "we didn't have a chance" and that no sirens went off in the town. Democratic senator Howell Heflin requested that the NWS investigate all procedures that were taken to issue the tornado warning.February 17, 1995 Radar saw tornado, but warning too late The Huntsville Times Huntsville, Alabama 1, 7 Mayor of Arab Johnny Hart heavily criticized FEMA's response to the tornado, specifically their rejection of a federal aid request shortly following the event.Nichols Laranda April 21, 1995 Federal tornado aid scheduled to start Tuesday The Huntsville Times Huntsville, Alabama 13 He exclaimed that "my major concern is that our citizens have to place their lives on hold while we await a decision from FEMA" and that "I'm real disheartened". Hart called for a congressional investigation into FEMA's denial of disaster aid.March 3, 1995 Arab seeks federal disaster inquiry The Huntsville Times Huntsville, Alabama 14 Senator Richard Shelby accused FEMA director James Witt of abandoning the state of Alabama, saying that "FEMA and the Clinton administration have chosen to turn their backs on the residents of these small communities".Davis Brett March 17, 1995 FEMA visiting tornado area today The Huntsville Times Huntsville, Alabama 1, 8 Additional concerns were raised that FEMA may have been running out of disaster relief funds at the time of the tornado due to aid provided in California and Florida. See also 2011 Cullman–Arab tornado, a later EF4 tornado near Arab that killed six Notes and references Notes note Citations 1995-02-16 02-16 Category:Marshall County, Alabama 1995-02-16 Category:February 1995 in the United States Category:1995 controversies in the United States