May 8, 2008 Storm Survey

Sporadic minor tree and crop damage was observed in the vicinity of County Line Road just north of the Tennessee River, with the most significant damage was observed north of the Blackwell Swamp area within the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge. Grass and wheat patterns suggested a small area of convergent rotation in extreme southeastern Limestone County near New Hope Road. A larger area of grass and wheat was flattened along County Line Road, where minor tree damage and roof damage to one residence was also noted. On the north end of the Blackwell Swamp east of County Line Road, there were larger areas of tree damage, with many pine trees snapped or uprooted.

A tornado touched down near County Road 189 west of Oakland. EF-1 damage was observed at the intersection of County Roads 14 and 16, about 2 miles northwest of Oakland, extending northeast to the Central Heights area. The tornado produced moderate damage to five homes and uprooted several trees in its path. The path of the tornado began 2 miles northwest of Oakland and lifted in the Central Heights area.

The tornado path began in the Leighton community. Shortly after its touchdown, the tornado was captured on a surveillance camera from an equipment company northeast of Leighton captured a tornado picking up at least 2 cars and throwing them nearly 40 feet. The tornado continued northeast snapping and uprooting large trees near Fosters Mill, along County Road 40. Just to the northeast of Fosters Mill, significant structural damage occurred at the Doublehead Resort and Lodge. A two-story house was completely lifted off its foundation and moved nearly 20 feet. The entire west facing side of this house was ripped off and significant roof damage occured. Additional sporadic damage occurred to a garage and other large trees from Joe Wheeler State Park to Rogersville, where the tornado lifted.

There were three distinct tornado tracks that were non-continous and developed from the same parent thunderstorm. Each tornado was found to be an EF-1 with path widths of 100 yards.

The first tornado affected locations 3 miles in and around Smith Lake. The second tornado occured from 7 miles from Sulpher Springs to Trimble. The third tornado track occured 5 miles from east of Cullman to Simcoe.

Predominantly tree damage was observed, with many trees snapped and uprooted, including several large old oak trees just to the east of the city of Cullman. The most severe damage occurred northeast of Cullman at a pair of chicken houses. One chicken house completely collapsed and the central portion of the structure was twisted and gnarled. It also had its metal roofing torn and twisted in the fields nearby. In addition, pockets of straight line wind damage were noted south of the tornado tracks, including within southern portions of the city of Cullman.

A tornado touched down in the vicinity of Norris Mill Road, northwest of Hartselle, where extensive tree damage was observed over a relatively short distance and width. Multiple medium to large trees were uprooted, including a 4-foot diameter tree, and several smaller trees and large branches were snapped.