National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

 

Alabama Tornado Database

 
2003 Tornado Occurrences (42)
Tornado # of Year Year Month Day Time (CST) County Damage Scale Path Length (Miles) Maximum Path Width (Yards) Fatalities Injuries Location
42 2003 11 18 1207 Walker

Storm Survey

Event Information

Moderate Risk
F1

Warnings

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
6.3 100 0 0

1.2 ENE Oakman-2.1 NNE Parrish
At 12:07 pm CST, an F1 tornado touched down near the intersection of Fruit Jar Road and CR 20 just east-northeast of Oakman. The tornado tracked northeastward affecting areas between the Providence and Kings Mill Communities. The tornado ended at 12:14 pm CST near the intersection of SR 269 and Parrish Loop, north of Parrish. The tornado path was 6.3 miles long and 100 yards wide at its widest point. Approximately 15 homes and mobile homes were sustained varying degrees of damage. No injuries were reported. The tornado apparently came out of a circulation that developed on the north side of a small bowing segment. These storms were very unique in that little to no lightning accompanied them.

Start: 33.7200/-87.3800
End: 33.7700/-87.2700

41 2003 11 18 1147 Tuscaloosa

Event Information

News Article

Moderate Risk
F1

Warnings

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
6.3 100 0 2

2.4 SSE Tuscaloosa-5.6 NNE Tuscaloosa
A weak tornado began at approximately 11:47 am CST just northeast of the intersection of Interstate 359 and Interstate 20/59. For the first 1.7 miles, damage was very weak and sporatic with mainly a few trees topped or uprooted. The weak tornado approached University Mall and the intersection of 15th St and McFarland Blvd., the intersity increased slightly with more significant damage in the form of shingles removed from structures, more trees downed, and large signs downed. A number of commercial structures sustained some degree of damage, and one commercial structure had a portion of the north-facing wall collapse while shingles were removed from the roof. The increased intensity continued for about 2.3 miles covering the area southwest and northeast of the 15th St and McFarland Blvd intersection. The damage seemed to once again decrease for the last 2.3 miles of the tornado track. Only teo very minor injuries were reported with this storm.

Start: 33.01700/-87.5500
End: 33.2500/-87.5000

40 2003 8 29 1355 Mobile

View Picture in Storm Data

Event Information

Small Risk
F0

Warnings

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
0.1 20 0 0

Mobile
A large waterspout over Mobile Bay moved ashore near downtown Mobile and quickly dissipated. No damage occurred from the tornado. The large waterspout was visible over Mobile Bay for several minutes. Several people from some taller buildings in downtown got an excellent view of the waterspout.

Start: 30.7000/-88.0800
End: 30.7000/-88.0800

39 2003 7 01 0429 Montgomery

Tropical Storm Bill
Information


Event Information

More Bill Information

2003 Tropical Map

Slight Risk
F0

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
4.7 60 0 0 1.4 NNW Pintlala-2.1 WSW Hope Hull
A small tornado occurred with Tropical Storm Bill in southwestern Montgomery County. The tornado first touched down north-northwest of Pintlala on the west side of Windham Road east of US 31 and north of CR 24. The tornado moved on a north-northwesterly path taking it along a portion of Windham Road where trees were downed and several structures sustained minor damage. Trees fell on a mobile home, a permanent home, and two cars. The tornado continued north-northwest across Pintlala Creek and Interstate 65 where trees were downed. From Interstate 65 to CR 15 the tornado weakened fairly quickly with only a few trees down.

Start: 32.2000/-86.3800
End: 32.2500/-86.3800

38 2003 7 01 0342 Crenshaw

Tropical Storm Bill
Information


More Bill Information

Event Information

2003 Tropical Map

Slight Risk
F1

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
3.0 600 0 0 1.0 NE Honoraville-4.0 N Honoraville
A tornado, that was spawned as Tropical Storm Bill moved inland, first touched down just east of the intersection of County Roads 11 and 86 on Mothershed Road which is just northeast of Honoraville. The tornado was narrow at the beginning and damage was limited to trees. The tornado tracked north along Mothershed Road and some trees fell on a few homes and some shingles were blown off. Two sheds were also blown down. The tornado then crossed County Road 68 where the major damage to homes occurred. A brick home had its roof blown off and parts of the brick walls were blown down. Several manufactured homes were also damaged. The tornado reached its maximum width of about 600 yards here. The tornado then tracked north northwest across open forests where the width of damage narrowed to a couple hundred yards. The tornado then lifted back into the clouds near Faulk Road and County Road 11. A manufactured home on Faulk Road had its roof torn off and the home was shifted off its blocks. The home was oriented parallel to the movement of the storm. Other than minor scrapes and bruises, no injuries were reported.

Start: 31.9200/-86.3800
End: 31.9500/-86.4000

37 2003 5 17 0955 Limestone

Storm Survey

Event Information

Slight Risk
F1

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
7.0 500 0 0 5 SW Cairo-2 SE Cairo
85 homes with minor roof and structural damage and nearly two hundred trees uprooted and snapped.

Start: 34.7800/-87.2800
End: 34.8700/-87.1200

36 2003 5 17 0945 Lauderdale

Storm Survey

Event Information

  Slight Risk
F1

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
2.0 500 0 0 3 E Rogersville-5 E Rogersville
18 homes and around a hundred trees uprooted and snapped.

Start: 34.8300/-87.2300
End: 34.8300/-87.2000

35 2003 5 7 1631 Marengo

Storm Survey

Event Information

Slight Risk
F0

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
0.1 40 0 0 1.5 SE Myrtlewood
A brief tornado touched down just south of Myrtlewood. The tornado touchdown was witnessed by an Alabama State Trooper and caused little if any damage.

Start: 32.2500/-87.9300
End: 32.2500/-87.9300

34 2003 5 7 1540 Randolph

Storm Survey

Event Information

Slight Risk
F1

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
12.9 500 0 0 1.6 SSW Wedowee-12 ENE Wedowee
A tornado touched down 1.6 miles south-southwest of Wedowee or just west of CR 15. The tornado crossed CR 15 and US 431 where a restaurant and several other buildings suffered minor damage. The tornado continued on an east-northeast path crossing through primarily rural areas damaging a few buildings and downing a large number of trees. Tornado intensity varied along the path and in some locations there was significant tree damage with some trees splintered. The tornado crossed through the Napoleon area and crossed CR 39 before ending close to the Alabama Georgia State Line. Damage toward the end of the path became very minor.

Start: 33.2800/-85.4800
End: 33.3700/-85.2700

33 2003 5 7 1508 Clay

Storm Survey

Event Information

Slight Risk
F0

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
1.2 20 0 0 0.3 N Lineville-0.7 NE Lineville
A very weak tornado apparently touched down just north of the center of Lineville and moved east-northeast ending east of SR 9. Damage was very minor and included several broken trees and some minor roof damage.

Start: 33.3200/-85.7500
End: 33.3200/-85.7300

32 2003 5 7 1457 Clay

Storm Survey

Event Information

Slight Risk
F0

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
1.1 50 0 0 1.8 SSE Ashland-2.3 SE Ashland
A small tornado touched down south-southeast of Ashland just west of SR 77 and the Wellborn Cabinet Plant. The weak tornado was observed by a number of people and did very little damage. Besides downing a few small trees, the tornado damaged a couple of light posts at the cabinet plant.

Start: 33.2500/-85.8300
End: 33.2500/-85.8200

31 2003 5 7 1441 Clay

Storm Survey

Event Information

Slight Risk
F0

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
1.2 70 0 0 6 NW Millerville-4.9 NW Millerville
A weak tornado touched down in the western part of Clay County in the Talladega National Forest. One house sustained minor damage to the siding and exterior trim and a number of trees were downed along the path. The path extended from the west side of CR 18 across an isolated area just north of Mcgehee Mountain to just east of Bolton Road.

Start: 33.2500/-86.0000
End: 33.2300/-86.0000

30 2003 5 7 1421 St. Clair

Storm Survey

Event Information

Slight Risk
F0

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
0.2 25 0 0 4.1 ESE Moody-4.3 ESE Moody
A weak tornado touched down briefly on the north side of US 78 at Luker Lake Road between Prescott and Cook Springs Communities. The tornado downed trees.

Start: 33.5700/-86.4300
End: 33.5700/-86.4300

29 2003 5 7 1345 Shelby-Talladega

Storm Survey

Event Information

Slight Risk
F1

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
1.3 50 0 0 2.4 SSE Wilsonville-7.4 SW Childersburg
A developing supercell storm gained strength rapidly as it developed over southern Shelby County moving eastward producing a tornado just south-southeast of Wilsonville. The tornado downed trees and damaged several structures in a residential area on the west side of the Coosa River in Shelby County, crossed the river (boundary between Shelby and Talladega Counties), and downed numerous trees in a rural area on the east side of the river. This was the first of several tornadoes from this one thunderstorm.

Start: 33.2000/-86.4700
End: 33.1800/-86.4500

28 2003 5 7 1340 Talladega

Storm Survey

Event Information

Slight Risk
F1

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
4.6 50 0 0 4.2 WSW Munford-1.3 SSE Munford
An F1 tornado began just west of SR 21 west-southwest of Munford and traveled on an easterly path taking it across SR 21 just north of Curry. The tornado traveled an additional 3 miles or so ending just inside the Talladega National Forest. The tornado downed numerous trees and power lines. At least one house was destroyed and several were damaged.

Start: 33.5200/-86.0200
End: 33.5200/-85.9300

27 2003 5 7 1310 St. Clair

Storm Survey

Event Information

Slight Risk
F1

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
4.5 50 0 0 5.8 NW Pell City-1.4 NNW Pell City
This was the first of two tornadoes to touch down in St. Clair County. It began at the intersection of SR174 and Cook Springs Road northwest of Pell City. The tornado traveled southeasterly through the Bowman Circle and Stewarts area crossing Mineral Springs Road and lifting just before reaching Interstate 20 (between exits 156 and 158). The tornado downed many trees and power lines and also damaged a few buildings in the area. At least one mobile home was destroyed.

Start: 33.6500/-86.3500
End: 33.6000/-86.3000

26 2003 5 7 1111 Walker

Storm Survey

Event Information

Slight Risk
F1

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
2.4 40 0 0 4.2 WSW Townley-3.8 SW Townley
The same storm that produced the tornado in Lamar County produced another F1 tornado in a heavily wooded area of southwestern Walker County southwest of Townley. At least one barn was damaged in addition to numerous trees that were downed.

Start: 33.8200/-87.5000
End: 33.8000/-87.4800

25 2003 5 7 1011 Lamar

Storm Survey

Event Information

Slight Risk
F1

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
0.5 25 0 0 2.9 N Vernon-3.0 NNE Vernon
A brief F1 torando touched down in the central part of Lamar County just east of SR 17 on Mount Pisgah Road. The tornado traveled in an easterly direction downing trees and power lines.

Start: 33.8000/-88.1200
End: 33.7800/-88.1000

24 2003 5 6 1016 Cullman

Storm Survey

Event Information

Slight Risk
F0

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
0.1 20 0 0 2 E West Point-2.1 E West Point
A few trees uprooted and twisted along the path.

Start: 34.2300/-86.9200
End: 34.2300/-86.9200

23 2003 5 6 0913 Dekalb

Storm Survey

Event Information

Slight Risk
F1

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
2.7 50 0 0 2 W Hammondville-Valley Head
Several trees uprooted and snapped off along with one home having minor roof damage.

Start: 34.5800/-85.6700
End: 34.5700/-85.6300

22 2003 5 6 0858 Jackson

Storm Survey

Event Information

Slight Risk
F0

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
1.0 20 0 0 5 NE Hollywood-6 NE Hollywood
A few trees uprooted and/or snapped off along the path.

Start: 34.7700/-85.9200
End: 34.7800/-85.9200

21 2003 5 6 0845 Jackson

Storm Survey

Event Information

Slight Risk
F0

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
3.0 20 0 0 Hollywood-3 NE Hollywood
Two homes with minor roof damage and several trees uprooted and twisted.

Start: 34.7200/-85.9800
End: 34.7500/-85.9500

20 2003 5 6 0716 Madison

Storm Survey

Event Information

Slight Risk
F1

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
1.0 200 0 0 Meridianville-1 E Meridianville
Two homes and businesses sustained roof damage and a mobile home was moved off of its foundation.

Start: 34.8500/-86.5700
End: 34.8500/-86.5500

19 2003 5 6 0658 Madison

Storm Survey

Event Information

Slight Risk
F0

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
0.1 20 0 0 Madison-2 E Madison
Numerous trees uprooted and/or snapped off.

Start: 34.7000/-86.7600
End: 34.7000/-86.7580

18 2003 5 6 0620 Limestone

Storm Survey

Event Information

Slight Risk
F1

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
15.0 500 0 0 Shanghai-3 NW Athens
17 homes with minor to major roof damage, 5 barns destroyed and at least 150 trees uprooted and twisted.

Start: 34.8700/-86.9100
End: 34.8300/-87.0200

17 2003 5 6 0535 Lauderdale

Storm Survey

Event Information

Slight Risk
F1

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
10.0 600 0 0 5 W Florence-Petersville
Five homes with roof damage and three barns destroyed along with at least 100 trees uprooted and twisted.

Start: 34.8200/-87.7700
End: 34.8500/-87.6800

16 2003 5 6 0533 Colbert

Storm Survey

Event Information

Slight Risk
F0

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
0.1 50 0 0 Muscle Shoals
Several trees and power lines down and shingles blown off of several homes.

Start: 34.7500/-87.6700
End: 34.7500/-87.6700

15 2003 4 25 1524 Elmore

Storm Survey

Event Information

Moderate Risk
F0

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
0.6 50 0 0 3.6 NW Tallassee-3.0 NW Tallassee
A small tornado touched down northwest of Tallassee and crossed SR 14 on a east-southeast path. The weak tornado downed trees and caused minor roof damage to several residential structures. On this day, several steady state, rotating thunderstorms, referred to as supercells, cut swaths of damage through Alabama. The first storm affected 12 counties dropping hail from penny to softball size. Numerous homes and automobiles were damaged by the large hail. Damaging winds also accompanied the storm. Many trees were snapped off, uprooted, or blown down along the path. Several homes were damaged from the falling trees. Supercell 2 merged with Supercell 1 across southern Tallapoosa County. Although there were no reports of injuries, several hundred thousand dollars of damage occurred. Several supercell thunderstorms affected Alabama on this day. This storm was not the only supercell to cause damage, but it was one of the most costly storms of the day.

Start: 32.5700/-85.9500
End: 32.5700/-85.9300

14 2003 4 25 1325 Greene-Hale

Storm Survey

Event Information

Moderate Risk
F0

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
4.4 50 0 0 4.9 SE Forkland-4.4 W Cedarville
A tornado touched down near the Greene County Power Plant. The tornado moved across the power plant facility and crossed the Black Warrior River into Hale County. Numerous trees were blown down along the path with the most extensive damage occurring right along the river. One mobile home was destroyed by a falling tree. One church had shingle damage to its roof. No injuries occurred with this tornado.

Start: 32.6000/-87.8200
End: 32.6200/-87.7500

13 2003 4 25 1057 Pickens

Storm Survey

Event Information

Moderate Risk
F1

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
0.1 50 0 0 1.9 NW Dancy
A landspout, a tornado that forms under a strong updraft of a developing thunderstorm, touched down in extreme southwestern Pickens County. The brief tornado destroyed one mobile home, destroyed one home, and downed a few trees. The damage occurred in the Dancy Cochrane Community. Many surrounding trees and structures were undamaged. No injuries occurred with this tornado.

Start: 33.0300/-88.3200
End: 33.0300/-88.3200

12 2003 4 7 0602 Dallas

Event Information

Slight Risk
F0

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
0.1 20 0 0 1.5 NE Marion Junction
State Troopers and Storm Spotters witnessed a brief tornado touch down near the intersection of US 80 and CR 45. No damage occurred.

Start: 32.4500/-87.2200
End: 32.4500/-87.2200

11 2003 4 7 0016 Dallas

Event Information

Slight Risk
F0

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
0.5 50 0 0 Tilden Community
A weak tornado struck southern Dallas County. The tornado touched down about 1 mile north of the Tilden Community. It moved due east and crossed SR 41 before coming to an end. The brief tornado snapped numerous trees along its short path. No injuries were reported.

Start: 32.0800/-87.1300
End: 32.0800/-87.1300

10 2003 4 7 0010 Wilcox

Event Information

Slight Risk
F0

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
0.1 20 0 0 Millers Ferry
A weak tornado briefly touched down near Millers Ferry. The tornado blew down several trees and damaged a large storage building.

Start: 32.1000/-87.3700
End: 32.1000/-87.3700

9 2003 3 19 1357 Etowah

Event Information

Research Paper

Slight Risk
F0

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
1.1 50 0 0 2.2 ESE Tabor-3.1 E Tabor
A tornado touched down in a heavily wooded area near the top of the ridge that forms Lookout Mountain in northeast Etowah County. The tornado was photographed by a person in southwest Cherokee County and observed by several people on the west side of the ridge. Besides trees, no other damage occurred since it was in an extremely remote area.

Start: 34.1300/-85.8800
End: 34.1500/-85.8700

8 2003 3 19 1350 Jackson

Storm Survey

Event Information

Research Paper

Slight Risk
F1

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
10.0 50 0 3 2 SW Flat Rock-2 NE Flat Rock
F1 tornado (100 mph) winds damaged three mobile homes, 11 homes and four businesses from the Rosalie to Flat Rock Communities.

Start: 34.7220/-85.7280
End: 34.7720/-85.6950

7 2003 3 19 1252 Jackson

Storm Survey

Event Information

Research Paper

Slight Risk
F1

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
1.0 40 0 0 2 NE Dutton-3 NE Dutton
A barn was destroyed and several trees were twisted and snapped along tornadoes track from along Jackson County Road 372 and 47 to Jackson County Road 51.

Start: 34.5790/-85.9190
End: 34.5860/-85.8970

6 2003 3 19 1249 Jackson

Storm Survey

Event Information

Research Paper

Slight Risk
F1

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
0.5 30 0 0 Section-Rosalie
F1 tornado (80 mph) winds with several trees snapped and two homes with minor roof damage.

Start: 34.5740/-85.9300
End: 34.5790/-85.9270

5 2003 3 19 0920 Madison

Event Information

Research Paper

Slight Risk
F0

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
0.1 50 0 0 2 N Toney-3 NE Toney
A few trees were twisted and snapped off. No other damage occurred.

Start: 34.9270/-86.7300
End: 34.9280/-86.7290

4 2003 3 6 0248 Calhoun-Cleburne

Storm Survey

Event Information

Slight Risk
F1

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook
9.0 250 0 3 White Plains-Shoal Creek Pinic Area
Numerous trees were blown down along the path. Several homes, businesses, outbuildings, and a nursery were damaged. One mobile home was demolished.

Start: 33.7521/-85.6976
End: 33.7715/-85.5450

3 2003 2 21 2340 Conecuh

Event Information

Moderate Risk
F0

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook

 
0.1 20 0 0 4 E Lenox
A weak tornado briefly touched down east of Lenox. The tornado blew down several trees.

Start: 31.3300/-87.1200
End: 31.3300/-87.1200

2 2003 2 21 2335 Escambia

Event Information

Moderate Risk
F0

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook

 
0.1 20 0 0 Wallace
A weak tornado blew down several trees near Barnett Crossroads which is near Exit 69 on Interstate 65. No injuries were reported.

Start: 31.2000/-87.2300
End: 31.2000/-87.2300

1 2003 2 15 2036 Marengo

Storm Survey

Event Information

Slight Risk
F1

SPC Day 1 Outlook

SPC Day 2 Outlook

SPC Day 3 Outlook

 

2.5 80 0 0 1.6 W Providence-2.1 N Providence
In what was believed to be the first tornado in Alabama in 2003, a small tornado touched down briefly in the northern half of Marengo County between Linden and Demopolis. No injuries or deaths were reported with the short-lived tornado. The tornado first touched down about 1.6 miles west-northwest of Providence and traveled northeasterly moving across County Road 44 and through the western sections of Chickasaw State Park. The tornado ended after crossing US 43 about 2.1 miles north of Providence on the east side of US 43. The tornado was rated an F1 primarily due to the damage done to the house just north of Chickasaw State Park.

Start: 32.3300/-87.8200
End: 32.3700/-87.7700