Late December Severe Weather Outbreak
December 27-29, 2024
Summary of all Local Storm Reports (LSRs) from December 27th through the 29th, as well as all the LSRs across the region for this event. Storm survey teams preliminarily concluded that there were at least 10 tornadoes in our forecast area during this event with more tornado surveys ongoing over the next several days. The tally of tornadoes in our forecast area currently stands at:
ALABAMA: 8 tornadoes (6 EF-1, 2 EF-0)
MISSISSIPPI: 2 tornadoes (1 EF-2, 1 EF-1)
Additional areas of interest across southeast Mississippi and south Alabama will be surveyed in the coming days. We will also supplement the storm surveys with high-resolution satellite imagery as this becomes available in the coming days and weeks.
The data provided on this page are considered PRELIMINARY as we continue to analyze all available data. We will add more information to this page and social media as it becomes available. We thank you in advance for your patience.
EVENT OVERVIEW
A multi-day severe weather episode occurred across southeast Mississippi into southwest and south-central Alabama and the Florida Panhandle with round #1 beginning the afternoon of December 27th and lasting through the evening hours and round #2 beginning the afternoon of December 28th and lasting into the early morning hours of December 29th. Multiple tornadoes and areas of damage were reported.
Special thanks to MEMA and Stone County EMA for providing drone footage and imagery to supplement our ground surveys.
ROUND #1 - December 27, 2024
Dees Tornado (Mobile County, AL)
...NWS Damage Survey for 12/27/24 through 12/28/24 Tornado Event... .Dees Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 90 mph Path Length /statute/: 5.30 miles Path Width /maximum/: 100 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 12/27/2024 Start Time: 02:04 PM CST Start Location: 2 S Dees / Mobile County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 30.5283 / -88.3504 End Date: 12/27/2024 End Time: 02:18 PM CST End Location: 3 SW Dawes / Mobile County / AL End Lat/Lon: 30.5857 / -88.292 Survey Summary: An EF1 tornado began south of Dees in Mobile County west of Grand Bay Wilmer Road. A radar indicated tornado debris signature began in the adjacent forest, tracking northeast across Grand Bay Wilmer Road. As it crossed the road, multiple pine trees were snapped midway up the trunk along with a couple smaller pine tree snaps near the base of the trunk. One tree had fallen across power lines and brought them down. The smaller snaps to the south were likely thanks to the supercells RFD with the primary damage being near the bridge here. The tornado weakened somewhat as it continued northeast across Balford and Ballard Roads. Here some metal roofing material was tossed to the west with multiple large tree limbs broken. The tornado then continued northeast across Ben Hamilton Road impacting a pond north of the road. This pond had multiple trees that were uprooted with a tree snapped low. The tornado went through a majority of forest and open fields between Ben Hamilton Road and Dawes Road, additionally impacting a neighborhood with most notable damage being along the intersection of Southern Oaks Trail and Dawes Road. Damage was mostly comprised of large tree limbs broken off and minor roofing damage to homes. There were additional reports of sheds flipped over/moved and a piece of metal breaking a window of one of the homes.
Whistler Tornado (Wayne County, MS)
...NWS Damage Survey for 12/27/24 through 12/28/24 Tornado Event Update 1... ..Whistler Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 110 mph Path Length /statute/: 11.94 miles Path Width /maximum/: 330 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 12/27/2024 Start Time: 03:04 PM CST Start Location: 4 NW Strengthford / Wayne County / MS Start Lat/Lon: 31.6601 / -88.9382 End Date: 12/27/2024 End Time: 03:22 PM CST End Location: 4 W West King / Wayne County / MS End Lat/Lon: 31.7505 / -88.7653 Survey Summary: The tornado began near the Jones/Wayne County line and moved to the northeast with sporadic tree damage along Strengthford Myrick Road and Maxcey Drive. The tornado began to intensify as it approached a farm on Sellers Cooley Drive. Several metal farm buildings were heavily damaged. A few cattle were picked up and tossed during the tornado. Several large trees were snapped or uprooted across the farm. The tornado continued to move to the northeast across inaccessible and heavily forested areas. The EF- 1 tornado crossed Highway 84 and lifted the roof of a house on the north side of the road. The wind likely got under the roof overhanging the carport area and caused the uplift of a significant chunk of the roof over the rest of the house. Another house on Oscar Bell Road also had an uplift of the roof. The tornado continued off to the northeast and trekked over heavily forested areas. A convergent pattern in the tree damage was noted further to the northeast as the tornado moved across Beat 4 Shubuta Road. Very sporadic damage was noted off to the northeast toward Gatlin Road. Future adjustments to the track are expected given that some of the track was inaccessible due to densely forested areas.
ROUND #2 - December 28-29, 2024
Buckatunna Tornado (Wayne County, MS)
...NWS Damage Survey for 12/27/24 through 12/28/24 Tornado Event Update 1... .Buckatunna Tornado... Rating: EF2 Estimated Peak Wind: 115 mph Path Length /statute/: 4.38 miles Path Width /maximum/: 500 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 4 Start Date: 12/28/2024 Start Time: 09:33 PM CST Start Location: 1 NW Chicora / Wayne County / MS Start Lat/Lon: 31.5803 / -88.5904 End Date: 12/28/2024 End Time: 09:39 PM CST End Location: 3 S Denham / Wayne County / MS End Lat/Lon: 31.6076 / -88.5234 Survey Summary: The tornado began just west of Chicora River Road near the Chicora community and quickly moved across the K-M Nursery. Several greenhouses at the nursery were damaged with several trees uprooted or snapped all around the nursery, producing EF- 1 damage. The tornado moved east-northeast across the Chickasawhay River and over another 1-1.5 miles of inaccessible land. The tornado began to intensify as it approached Old 45 Winchester Road with numerous pine trees snapped low. The worst damage was noted along Taylor Circle as the tornado intensified to EF-2 strength. A new, manufactured home was completely rolled off its cinder blocks and pushed toward the road and a nearby house. There were 4 injuries in the manufactured home. The home across the street sustained roof damage with blown-out windows. Several cars were destroyed by falling trees or debris. A significant corridor of damage was noted on the north side of Taylor Circle as nearly every large tree was snapped with more damage to roofs. The tornado continued off to the northeast, producing a significant corridor of tree damage based on drone imagery from MEMA. The tornado crossed Highway 45 before damaging a church and a few long chicken houses. The metal roof was peeled off most of the chicken houses with one chicken house partially destroyed. More tree damage and roof damage occurred along both Buckatunna Mount Zion and Cane Mill Roads. Very sporadic damage was noted along Denham Buckatunna Creek Road. The tornado may have extended to the northeast beyond the tree line, however, the area was inaccessible due to Buckatunna Creek. Future adjustments to the track are possible given that some of the track was inaccessible due to rivers and densely forested areas.
Barnett Crossroads Tornado (Escambia County, AL)
.Barnett Crossroads Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 100 mph Path Length /statute/: 2.22 miles Path Width /maximum/: 50 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 12/28/2024 Start Time: 10:13 PM CST Start Location: 1 SW I65 And Al 113 / Escambia County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 31.1936 / -87.3245 End Date: 12/28/2024 End Time: 10:15 PM CST End Location: Barnett Crossroads / Escambia County / AL End Lat/Lon: 31.2228 / -87.3113 Survey Summary: An EF1 tornado began on the north side of I-65 along Charlie Dawson Road where several trees were leaning over the roadway with small tree branches taken off. As the tornado continued northeast, it crossed Priscilla Lane continuing to knock off small and large tree branches. The tornado strengthened as it continued to the northeast reaching Eric Odom Road. Here multiple trees had their tops snapped off with some trees snapped midway up. The tornado continued to parallel this segment of Eric Odom Road, continuing to do EF1 tree damage snapping and uprooting multiple pines. The tornado began to occlude northward impacting small cabins and snapping multiple trees in the adjacent forest to the west of Barnett Highway. The tornado then approached Grissett Bridge Road, continuing to snap multiple pines and taking out a majority of a tree stand just south of this road. It's probable the tornado continued northward as it finished out the occlusion process, however there was limited road access beyond this location. High resolution satellite imagery will be needed to determine the exact start and end points for this tornado when it becomes available.
Range Tornado (Conecuh County, AL)
.Range Tornado... Rating: EF0 Estimated Peak Wind: 85 mph Path Length /statute/: 5.19 miles Path Width /maximum/: 0 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 12/28/2024 Start Time: 10:30 PM CST Start Location: 2 N Range / Conecuh County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 31.3463 / -87.2387 End Date: 12/28/2024 End Time: 10:40 PM CST End Location: 2 ENE Repton / Conecuh County / AL End Lat/Lon: 31.4174 / -87.2099 Survey Summary: An EF0 tornado began along Highway 41 north of Wesley Road. Along this road trees were uprooted facing due north, with some of the trees on the eastern side of the road uprooted laying due west. The next location ground survey crew were able to reach was along Highway 84 east of Repton. Here some more tree uproots occurred. It's possible the tornado did more damage to the southwest, however given the intermittent damage path and limited road network made it difficult to assess. It is possible this tornado began sooner and/or ended later than the current start and end points have, and this will be fine-tuned as high-resolution satellite imagery becomes available.
Burnt Corn Tornado (Monroe and Conecuh County, AL)
.Burnt Corn Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 100 mph Path Length /statute/: 1.99 miles Path Width /maximum/: 150 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 12/28/2024 Start Time: 10:55 PM CST Start Location: 2 S Burnt Corn / Monroe County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 31.5239 / -87.1659 End Date: 12/28/2024 End Time: 10:59 PM CST End Location: Burnt Corn / Conecuh County / AL End Lat/Lon: 31.5515 / -87.1586 Survey Summary: The tornado touched down a quarter of a mile south of County Road 5 and Old Federal Road junction, where a few trees were uprooted. The tornado continued to the north-northeast, uprooting a few more trees and shifting Bethany Baptist Church slightly off of its foundation. The tornado crossed into Conecuh County, moving just northeast of County Road 15, uprooting a few more trees before lifting. Special thanks to the Monroe and Conecuh County EMAs for their assistance with the survey.
Bookers Mill Tornado (Conecuh County, AL)
.Bookers Mill Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 100 mph Path Length /statute/: 6.25 miles Path Width /maximum/: 0 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 12/28/2024 Start Time: 11:07 PM CST Start Location: 1 SSW Bookers Mill / Conecuh County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 31.5106 / -87.045 End Date: 12/28/2024 End Time: 11:18 PM CST End Location: 1 NNW Bowles / Conecuh County / AL End Lat/Lon: 31.5819 / -86.9797 Survey Summary: The tornado touched town just west of County Road 4, where several trees were snapped or uprooted, and a trailer was tossed. The tornado moved to the northeast, snapping more trees along its path. As the tornado moved across Bookers Mill Road, dozens of trees were snapped or uprooted. In this location, the metal roof of 3 log cabins was peeled back, and a chapel was shifted off of its foundation. The tornado continued on its northeasterly path, crossing County Road 30 and County Road 32, snapping or uprooting more trees. The tornado lifted just west of State Highway 83.
Mt Pisgah Rd Tornado (Butler County, AL)
.Mt Pisgah Rd Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 110 mph Path Length /statute/: 2.55 miles Path Width /maximum/: 200 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 12/28/2024 Start Time: 11:32 PM CST Start Location: 3 WSW Providence / Butler County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 31.713 / -86.8838 End Date: 12/28/2024 End Time: 11:37 PM CST End Location: 3 WNW Providence / Butler County / AL End Lat/Lon: 31.7452 / -86.8631 Survey Summary: The tornado touched down along McNeil Road just east of Furlong Creek, where numerous trees were snapped. The tornado continued to the northeast, crossing McNeil Road, continuing to snap or uproot trees along its path. One tree fell on a home, causing significant. The tornado continued to the northeast towards Mt Pisgah Road, snapping and uprooting numerous trees along its path. The tornado appears to have lifted just northeast of Mt Pisgah Road. Special thanks to the Butler County EMA for their assistance with this survey.
Faustinas Tornado (Mobile County, AL)
...NWS Damage Survey for 12/27/24 through 12/28/24 Tornado Event... .Faustinas Tornado... Rating: EF0 Estimated Peak Wind: 80 mph Path Length /statute/: 0.16 miles Path Width /maximum/: 30 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 12/28/2024 Start Time: 11:59 PM CST Start Location: Faustinas / Mobile County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 30.4315 / -88.107 End Date: 12/29/2024 End Time: 12:00 AM CST End Location: Faustinas / / AL End Lat/Lon: 30.4323 / -88.1044 Survey Summary: A very brief EF0 tornado touched down east of Dauphin Island Parkway impacting a home adjacent to Mobile Bay. The home sustained damage to the back patio with the southernmost wall being pulled out and deposited to the south along with the contents of the patio. Large tree limbs were also knocked down in the adjacent tree line to the south and along the driveway. Outdoor furniture from the home to the south was thrown northward around the tornado circulation before the tornado moved over the water. Here it impacted the three adjacent piers doing minor cosmetic damage to each pier. A fence was also blown over towards the northwest on the property located north of the tornado path.
Summerdale Tornado (Baldwin County, AL)
.Summerdale Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 95 mph Path Length /statute/: 2.38 miles Path Width /maximum/: 50 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 12/29/2024 Start Time: 12:47 AM CST Start Location: 1 NNE Summerdale / Baldwin County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 30.5001 / -87.6923 End Date: 12/29/2024 End Time: 12:50 AM CST End Location: 3 NE Summerdale / Baldwin County / AL End Lat/Lon: 30.5097 / -87.6558 Survey Summary: A tornado first touched down in a field approximately 100 yards to the west of a home to the southwest of the intersection of N E 7th Street and E Greenwood Road in Summerdale. The tornado destroyed a shed roof structure then struck the single family brick home. Significant damage to the roof was observed with destruction of a roof gable on both the front and rear of the home and the roof decking was lifted and removed from the roof framing resulting in large holes in a large portion of the roof. A rear roofed screened patio was completely destroyed and a front porch was heavily damaged. Large branches of two oak trees were broken and deposited into the yard. There was also a large section of fencing that was downed at this house and a neighboring yard just to the south. The tornado was rated an EF- 1 at this location with winds of 95 mph. The tornado only briefly touched down and was very intermittent along the entire 2.25 mile track. EF-0 tornado damage occurred at the Graystone RV Park at the intersection of E Greenwood Road and the Baldwin Beach Express and to the northeast of the Baldwin Beach Express at a mobile home community along County Road 38 S. A recreational vehicle was blown over onto a pickup truck damaging both the RV and a nearby pickup truck. A few additional recreation vehicles were also shifted slightly from their resting locations. There was minor tree damage at this location as well. The tornado produced 70 to 75 mph winds at this location. To the northeast at the mobile home community several mobile homes had damage to the skirting along the bottom of the mobile homes. In addition, loose objects to include patio furniture and children's toys were thrown about. The tornado produced winds to 65 mph at the mobile home community. The tornado again lifted and then again touchdown to the northeast and struck a metal outbuilding removing large portions of the metal roofing and bending and twisting the roofing and side support beams. A large section of the metal roof was also launched 75 yards over a nearby home and landed in the front yard. A small tractor combine was also overturned. The tornado had intensified at this location and was rated as an EF- 1 with winds estimated at 95 mph. The tornado lifted and rapidly dissipated in an open field just beyond the damaged metal outbuilding.
EF SCALE: THE ENHANCED FUJITA SCALE CLASSIFIES TORNADOES INTO THE
FOLLOWING CATEGORIES:
EF0...WEAK......65 TO 85 MPH
EF1...WEAK......86 TO 110 MPH
EF2...STRONG....111 TO 135 MPH
EF3...STRONG....136 TO 165 MPH
EF4...VIOLENT...166 TO 200 MPH
EF5...VIOLENT...>200 MPH
NOTE:
THE INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT IS PRELIMINARY AND SUBJECT TO
CHANGE PENDING FINAL REVIEW OF THE EVENT AND PUBLICATION IN
NWS STORM DATA.
Additional Information
Acknowledgments: Page created by Morgan Barry (Senior Forecaster).
LAST UPDATED: December 2024
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