When the date April 27th, 2011, is mentioned, the "Super Outbreak" immediately comes to mind. This outbreak of violent and deadly tornadoes was one for the record books. Starting on April 25th, lasting through the 28th, one of the deadliest and costliest tornado outbreaks occurred. While it isn't something to brag about, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas and Georgia charted numerous tornadoes over a 24 hour period, some very large and long lived. This volatile storm system produced over 300 tornadoes, ranging across the United States. Sadly, 348 people were killed due to the storms, Alabama alone saw 238 of those fatalities.
Large tornado moving through Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
This was no ordinary storm system, or chain of events. Some may forget that regions of Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee observed a very dangerous and deadly round of storms early on the morning of April 27th, 2011. These storms crippled areas, leaving residents without power prior to the afternoon round of storms. Leading up to the afternoon hours, strong supercell storms formed in Mississippi before tracking east. This was only the beginning of a long day of severe weather across the south.
Supercell track of the deadly "Tuscaloosa/Birmingham tornado".
Throughout the day, notable tornadoes occurred across a wide region. Some of those tornadoes include: the Neshoba County, Mississippi tornado (EF-5), Enterprise, Mississippi (EF-4), Smithville, Mississippi (EF-5), Cullman, Alabama (EF-4), Hackleburg, Phil Campbell, Mount Hope, Tanner and Harvest, Alabama (EF-5/killed 72 people), Reform, Oakman, Cordova, Blounstville, Alabama (EF-4), Pisgah, Flat Rock, Higdon Alabama and Trenton Georgia (EF-4), Bridgeport Alabama and Haletown, Tennessee (EF-4), Ohatchee, Piedmont Alabama and Cave Spring, Georgia (EF-4) and lastly the Tuscaloosa/Birmingham, Alabama (EF-5).
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Large wedge tornado approaching Tanner, Alabama (EF-5)
April 27th, 2011, was a truly incredible day (on a meteorological scale). Very rarely do you ever see numerous large and destructive tornadoes in one day. In fact, tornadoes are rare, very few storms ever actually produce a tornado, let alone a violent or large one. The fine details, or meso-scale features as it's called, were off the charts. If you haven't seen the video footage of James Spann and Jason Simpson covering this event, we would highly advise for you to watch it. Their work saved the lives of many people on this day. Not only them, but everyone in the broadcast/warning field from the area.
Below is a interview style video with James Spann, of ABC 33/40. Take a moment to watch as James gives his thoughts on this grim day.
April 27th, 2011, will NEVER be forgotten. Rest in peace to those who lost their life during these ferocious storms.
This blog has been brought to you by Tornado Shelter Safety Systems Inc.
-Vortex Crew
Credits:
(Brian Lang (supercell track), University of Alabama skycam.
