Brownsboro Alabama

1Time from first tornado to last tornado2Maximum windspeed of most powerful tornado

The Huntsville, Alabama Tornado was a violent and destructive tornado that struck the city amidst an outbreak of 18 tornadoes on the afternoon on November 15, 1989. From an initial touchdown point on the Redstone Arsenal, the storm cut a destructive, 18. 5-mile swath on its northeast trek across the southern sections of Huntsville. Plowing through businesses and heavily populated residential areas of the city, the tornado left a tragic legacy; 21 dead, 463 injured and damage estimated at 100 million dollars. Brownsboro Baptist Church. Twelve of the 21 fatalities occurred in automobiles as many persons were homeward bound during the afternoon rush hour. The storm was rated an F4 on the Fujita Tornado Intensity Scale.

Summary

Historically, tornadoes are no strangers to persons in north Alabama, where Huntsville and Madison County are located. The region felt the destructive power of the April 3-4, 1974, Super Outbreak and records show that Madison County has had 25 tornadoes from 1950 through October, 1989.

Anyone listening to the NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) or monitoring the commercial broadcast media should have been aware that November 15th was expected to be a severe weather day.