National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Nanafalia 1 (Marengo County) EF-1 Tornado
April 15, 2011
 

 
EF-1
Estimated Maximum Wind:
100 mph
Injuries/Fatalities:
None
Damage Path Length:
4.21 miles
Maximum Path Width:
60 yards
Approximate Start Point/Time:
4.3 WSW Nanafalia
32.1125/-88.0500 1210 pm
Approximate End Point/Time:
0.1 WSW Nanafalia
32.1200/-87.9816 1221 pm
 

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed the damage near Nanafalia. It has been determined that the damage was consistent with a tornado. Winds were estimated at 100 mph. This damage path consisted of mainly tree damage, however, the damage path was completely obscured by the Nanafalia 2 Tornado that occurred later in the evening. There were several eyewitness accounts of the tree and minor roof damage, where several hardwood trees were uprooted and many softwoods were snapped off. The tornado damage path was 4.21 miles long and was 60 yards wide at its widest point.

This tornado started in Choctaw County Alabama, south southwest of Butler. It was on the ground for almost 5 miles before it crossed into Marengo County. The damage in Choctaw County was mainly to trees. Therefore, the total tornado damage path was 9.18 miles long. The tornado was 200 yards wide at its widest point in Choctaw County. The highest damage rating was an EF-1 in both counties.

Storm Chasers filmed this tornado from near the intersection of Alabama Highway 10 and Alabama Highway 69,  just west of Nanafalia.

A Tornado Warning was in effect from 1152 am until 1230 pm. 

 
 
Reflectivity Image near the end of the tornado path.
Notice the 3-body scattered spike southwest of the
strongest core. This can be an indication of large hail.
Storm Relative Velocity Image near the end of the
tornado path. The radar depiction of rotation appears
near the intersection of Alabama Highway 69 and
Alabama Highway 10.