2011 Cordova–Blountsville tornado
The tornado at EF4 intensity west of Cordova. A wall cloud is visible above the tornado, which took on a "wedge" shape. | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | April 27, 2011, 3:40 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00) |
| Dissipated | April 27, 2011, 5:56 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00) |
| Duration | 2 hours, 16 minutes |
| EF4 tornado | |
| on the Enhanced Fujita scale | |
| Path length | 127.8 miles (205.7 km) |
| Highest winds | 170–180 mph (270–290 km/h) |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 13 |
| Injuries | 54 |
| Damage | >$170.34 million (2011 USD) |
| Areas affected | Cordova, Alabama, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, Blount County, Alabama |
Part of the 2011 Super Outbreak and Tornadoes of 2011 | |
In the afternoon hours of April 27, 2011, a large, long-tracked and violent EF4 tornado, known as the Cordova tornado, moved across Central Alabama, devastating several communities, including Cordova and Blountsville. The tornado killed 13 and had a maximum width of 1,408 yards (0.800 mi). It occurred as part of the largest tornado outbreak in modern history and was one of eleven EF4 tornadoes to strike the Southern United States on April 27. The tornado was the longest-tracked of the outbreak, carving a 127.8-mile (205.7 km) path of damage through seven counties.
The tornado first moved through northeast Pickens County, where it strengthened while impacting structures at EF0 and EF1 intensity, moving past several smaller towns. As the tornado moved into Cordova it reached EF3 intensity and heavily damaged the town. The tornado continued to strengthen as it moved across Alabama, reaching EF4 intensity as it passed northwest of Sumiton. The tornado retained this intensity as it caused sporadic damage across rural Alabama, destroying numerous homes and debarking trees. It dissipated south of Red Hill, after being on the ground for over two hours.
The tornado was the second tornado of at least EF3 intensity to hit Cordova on April 27, and the town was devastated by both. Four people were killed in the downtown Cordova, and several businesses and homes were obliterated by the tornado as it moved through the area.