On April 4th, 2011, an intense surface low pressure system over the Great Lakes created a cold front that swept through the eastern half of the United States. Ahead of the cold front, environmental temperatures in the 80s and dew points in the middle 60s from Louisiana to Virginia, created very unstable atmospheric conditions. As the cold front swept through, a solid line of severe thunderstorms developed. This line caused widespread straight line wind damage from Texas to Florida to Maryland (see the storm reports graphic below). A few tornadoes were sprinkled in, some as strong as EF-2 in Mississippi, Kentucky, Louisiana and Georgia, where one person lost their life in a mobile home. Central Alabama was spared from tornadoes but saw its share of damage. Trees and power line fell all over the county warning area. There were] also isolated reports of structural damage. Rainfall ranged from 0.50 to 3.00 inches around the area, as well, which will no doubt help to alleviate any ongoing drought conditions around Central Alabama.
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