Locust Fork Tornado - April 12, 2020

Locust Fork EF-1 Tornado (Blount County)
April 12, 2020

Event Summary

Rating: (Click for EF Scale)	EF-1
Estimated Maximum Wind:	95 mph
Injuries/Fatalities:	None
Damage Path Length:	3.84 miles
Maximum Path Width:	225 yards
Approximate Start Point/Time:	2 W Locust Fork 33.8995/-86.6339 at 547 pm
Approximate End Point/Time:	2 E Locust Fork 33.9043/-86.5890 at 551 pm

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed the damage near Locust Fork in Blount County and determined it was the result of an EF-1 tornado.

A tornado touched down just west of Tawbush Road, generally west-southwest of Locust Fork. After quickly intensifying to peak intensity of 95 mph, a broad corridor of trees were snapped and uprooted near three residences. No damage was observed at these locations outside of fallen limbs and debris. The tornado then tracked east with trees sporadically uprooted and snapped before it crossed a large wooded area just west of Highway 79. The tornado then briefly tracked near Highway 79 snapping and uprooting trees where some fell on at least two homes and one vehicle. Farther east, additional softwood trees were snapped and uprooted along Massey Road. Sporadic, and mostly minor, tree damage was also noted along Pine Bluff Road and Spunky Holly Road. The tornado began to weaken as it crossed Highway 15 with mainly large limbs snapped in this area. The eastern-most damage was noted along Hollingsworth Road before the tornado finally dissipated. The tornado damage path was 3.84 miles long and was 225 yards wide at its widest point. The maximum winds were estimated around 95 mph.

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Reflectivity (left) and velocity (right) of the circulation just after the tornado touched down. Images are from KBMX at 548 pm.
Tree Damage