National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

 

 

Kirk EF-1 Tornado (Pickens/Tuscaloosa Counties)
  March 30, 2022

 

Event Summary

EF-1
Estimated Maximum Wind:
105 mph
Injuries/Fatalities:
None
Damage Path Length:
16.61 miles
Maximum Path Width:
450 yards
Approximate Start Point/Time:
2 SSW Kirk
33.2126/-87.9089
at 902 PM CDT
Approximate End Point/Time:
2 E Brownville
33.3938/-87.7207
at 921 PM CDT 

 

NWS Meteorologists surveyed damage in eastern Pickens County into western Tuscaloosa County and determined it was the result of an EF-1 tornado.

The tornado began in a wooded area southwest of Benevola Road, south of Gordo in northeast Pickens County. It began to snap and uproot trees as it crossed Snider Road, also causing roof damage to a residence and shed. The tornado continued to down trees as it began to parallel Benevola Road, blowing off the roof of a barn that was being constructed. It reached its first maximum in intensity as it approached the Kirk community, snapping and uprooting many trees, with at least one falling on a home. It continued to damage sheds and damaged the roof of a manufactured home. The tornado began to decrease in intensity as it moved northeast towards Highway 82, but continued to down trees and caused minor roof damage to some homes along Highway 82. It appeared to increase again in intensity again as it approached the intersection of Boyd Road and Upper Columbus Road in the Echola community, snapping and uprooting more trees and collapsing a couple chicken houses. The tornado continued to snap trees as it crossed the Sipsey River, dissipating just before reaching Highway 171.

The data is PRELIMINARY and may be subject to change.

 

 

 

Radar Image
Reflectivity (left) and velocity (right) of the circulation as the tornado crossed CR 15.
Images from KBMX at 914 PM CDT.

 

Damage Photo
 Roof Damage
Damage Photo
 Outbuilding Destroyed
Damage Photo
 Tree Damage
Damage Photo
 Structure Damage