February 6th, 2008 Jackson County EF-4 Tornado

Survey Summary

Representatives from the National Weather Service and the Jackson County Emergency Management Agency conducted an storm survey of damage that occurred in Jackson County, Alabama early in the morning of February 6, 2008.

The damage was determined to originate from a strong tornado, which at its peak had winds of at least 180 MPH, giving it a rating of EF-4 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. Storm surveys are still being conducted, but the most significant damage occurred at the corner of County Road 60 and 177, between the Rosalie and Pisgah communities in eastern Jackson County. This is also approximately the location where one fatality occurred. Trees along the tornado path were snapped and in some cases shredded, several houses were swept from their foundations, and a large section of a chicken house collapsed. Several large hay bales (weighing 2,500 pounds) were blown apart or tossed around.

Tornado watch #41 had been issued for all of north Alabama at 10 PM CST, and was in effect until 5 AM CST (it was later extended until 7 AM CST). A tornado warning for extreme northern DeKalb and southeastern Jackson Counties was issued at 5:04 AM CST, and a follow-up warning was issued for extreme northern DeKalb and eastern Jackson Counties at 5:26 AM.