View source for Archive:2011 Eclectic–Lake Martin tornado

{{Short description|EF4 tornado near Eclectic, Alabama}}
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{{Use American English|date=September 2026}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2026}}
{{infobox weather event
| name = 2011 Eclectic–Lake Martin tornado
| formed = April&nbsp;27, 2011, 8:12&nbsp;p.m. [[Central Daylight Time|CDT]] ([[UTC−05:00]])
| duration = 57 minutes
| dissipated = April&nbsp;27, 2011, 9:09&nbsp;p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00)
| image = {{multiple image | border = infobox | perrow = 1/2 | total_width = 300 | image1 = 2011 Lake Martin, Alabama EF4 tornado.webp | image2 = Tornado - Dadeville, Ala. , June 20, 2011 -- The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers is working with contractors to remove debris in Lake Martin, a major recreation area for Alabamians. W - DPLA - c23ba510ae04210f5e4ff170b61a1b9c.jpg | image3 = 
EF4 Damage 2011 Lake Martin tornado Sandy Lane 01.png}}
| width = 300
| caption = '''Clockwise from top''': A photograph of the tornado near Lake martin; EF4 damage to a house on Sandy Lane; A photo of a debris removal progressing at Lake Martin
}}{{Infobox weather event/Tornado
| basin = atl
| path-width = {{convert|880|yd|mi km}}
| path-length = {{convert|44.18|mi|km}}
| winds = {{convert|170|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}
| fujita-scale = EF4
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| fatalities = 7
| injuries = 30
| damages = $167,000,000 (2011 [[United States dollar|USD]])
| areas = [[Lake Martin|Lake Martin, Alabama]], [[Eclectic, Alabama]], [[Dadeville, Alabama]].
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season = [[2011 Super Outbreak]] and [[Tornadoes of 2011]]
}}
During the evening of April 27, 2011, A large and deadly tornado commonly known as the '''Lake Martin tornado''' Effected multiple towns During its {{Convert|44|mi|km|adj=on}} path, including [[Dadeville]], and [[Eclectic, Alabama|Eclectic]], Part of a [[2011 Super outbreak|very large and deadly tornado outbreak]], which is the largest and costliest [[Tornado outbreak]] in United States history.

The tornado first touched down north of [[Wetumpka, Alabama|Wetumpka]] in [[Elmore County, Alabama|Elmore County]], south of Charity Lane at approximately 8:12&nbsp;p.m. CDT (01:12 UTC). It began to track Northeast along Grier Road (CR 209) at high-end EF1 intensity, snapping multiple trees and blowing out a facing gable-end of the south side of a roof to a home.

Moving northeastward the tornado then reached EF2 intensity near dexter, damaging multiple homes and blowing debris away as far as 100 yards, the tornado then continued intensifying before reaching EF4 intensity on [[Lake martin]] destroying multiple homes and buildings in the vicinity, the tornado would then pass the south side of [[Dadeville, Alabama|Dadeville]] before weakening and dissipating Northwest of [[Lafayette, Alabama|Lafayette]].

==Meteorological synopsis==
{{Main|2011 Super Outbreak#Meteorological synopsis}}

===Setup===
The environmental conditions leading up to the 2011 Super Outbreak were among the "most conducive to violent tornadoes ever documented".<ref name="BAMS">{{cite journal|author=Kevin R. Knupp|display-authors=etal|journal=[[Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society]]|publisher=[[American Meteorological Society]]|date=July 2014|title=Meteorological Overview of the Devastating 27 April 2011 Tornado Outbreak|volume=95|issue=7|doi=10.1175/BAMS-D-11-00229.1|pages=1,041–1,062|bibcode=2014BAMS...95.1041K|s2cid=22335326 }}</ref> On April&nbsp;25, a vigorous upper-level [[Shortwave (meteorology)|shortwave trough]] moved into the Southern Plains states.<ref>{{cite report|author=Ryan E. Jewell|publisher=[[Storm Prediction Center]]|date=April 25, 2011|accessdate=May 15, 2016|title=Apr 25, 2011 0600 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook|url=http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2011/day1otlk_20110425_1200.html|location=Norman, Oklahoma}}</ref> Ample instability, low-level moisture, and [[wind shear]] all fueled a significant [[tornado outbreak]] from [[Texas]] to [[Tennessee]]; at least 64&nbsp;tornadoes touched down on this day.<ref name="BAMS"/> An [[Low-pressure area|area of low pressure]] consolidated over Texas on April&nbsp;26 and traveled east while the aforementioned shortwave trough traversed the [[Mississippi River|Mississippi]] and [[Ohio River]] valleys.<ref>{{cite report|author=Ryan E. Jewell|publisher=[[Storm Prediction Center]]|date=April 26, 2011|accessdate=May 15, 2016|title=Apr 26, 2011 0600 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook|url=http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2011/day1otlk_20110426_1200.html|location=Norman, Oklahoma}}</ref> Another 50&nbsp;tornadoes touched down on this day.<ref name="BAMS"/> The multi-day outbreak culminated on April&nbsp;27 with the most violent day of tornadic activity since the [[1974 Super Outbreak]]. Multiple episodes of tornadic activity ensued with two waves of [[mesoscale convective system]]s in the morning hours followed by a widespread outbreak of [[supercell]]s from [[Mississippi]] to [[North Carolina]] during the afternoon into the evening.<ref name="BAMS"/>

Tornadic activity on April&nbsp;27 was precipitated by a 995&nbsp;[[Bar (unit)|mbar]] ([[Pascal (unit)|hPa]]; 29.39&nbsp;[[Inches of Mercury|inHg]]) surface low situated over [[Kentucky]] and a deep, negatively tilted (aligned northwest to southeast) trough over [[Arkansas]] and [[Louisiana]]. A strong southwesterly surface jet intersected these systems at a 60° angle, an [[Ageostrophy|ageostrophic flow]] that led to [[Hydrodynamical helicity#Meteorology|storm-relative helicity]] values in excess of 500&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup>s<sup>−2</sup>—indicative of extreme wind shear and a very high potential for rotating [[Vertical draft|updrafts]] within supercells. Ample moisture from the [[Gulf of Mexico]] was brought north across the [[Deep South]], leading to daytime high temperatures of {{convert|25|to|27|C|F|abbr=on|order=flip}} and [[dewpoint]]s of {{convert|19|to|22|C|F|abbr=on|order=flip}}. Furthermore, [[convective available potential energy]] (CAPE) values reached 2,500–3,000&nbsp;J/kg<sup>−1</sup>.<ref name="BAMS"/>

=== Forecast ===
{{Multiple image
| direction         = vertical
| image1            = Day11630UTCOlook.gif
| caption1          = The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center's Day 1 Convective Outlook for April 27, showing the Categorical Graphic
| image2            = Day1probotlk 20110427 tornado.png
| caption2          = The probability of a tornado within 25 miles of a point (cross-hatched area: 10% or greater probability of EF2+ tornadoes)
| alt1              = The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center outlined a high risk area for severe weather over central Alabama on this map.
| alt2              = This version of the map shows a 45% probability of a tornado within 25 miles of a given point in the highest risk area, and a 10% chance of a significant tornado.
}}
On the morning of April 27, a strong [[cold front]] with several areas of embedded [[Low-pressure area|low pressure]] extended from the [[Texas Hill Country]] northeastward towards the [[Ark-La-Tex|Arklatex]] and the [[Ozarks]], and later into the lower [[Ohio River|Ohio Valley]]. Warm moist air was in place due to strong southerly flow ahead of the front over Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. An upper level disturbance sparked a broad area of [[Rain|showers]] and [[Thunderstorm|thunderstorms]] as it moved across the frontal boundary on the previous evening. The eastern edge of the line of showers and storms continued to move eastward, in concert with the upper disturbance, reaching the northwest Alabama border around 2:00&nbsp;a.m. CDT.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Weather Setup: April 27th, 2011 Historic Tornado Outbreak |url=https://www.weather.gov/hun/hunsur_2011-04-27_setup |access-date=2024-11-07 |publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |language=EN-US |archive-date=2024-11-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241108220517/https://www.weather.gov/hun/hunsur_2011-04-27_setup |url-status=live }} {{source-attribution}}</ref>

This produced the last and most violent round of severe weather, which began around 2:30&nbsp;p.m. CDT for northern Alabama as supercells began to line up to the southwest of the area. During the early afternoon hours, the potential for destructive tornadoes was highlighted by the [[Storm Prediction Center]]'s upgrade to a [[List of Storm Prediction Center high risk days|high risk]] for severe weather around 1:00&nbsp;p.m. CDT.<ref name=":3" /> This prompted a [[particularly dangerous situation]] (PDS) [[tornado watch]], which was issued for northern Alabama and portions of southern [[Tennessee]] at 1:45&nbsp;p.m. CDT. The bulletin that accompanied the watch read:<ref>{{Cite web |last=Center |first=Storm Prediction |title=Storm Prediction Center Tornado/Severe Thunderstorm Watch Page |url=https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/watch/2011/ww0235.html |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=[[Storm Prediction Center]] |language=EN-US |archive-date=2024-12-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204013839/https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/watch/2011/ww0235.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{Blockquote|text=THE NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF: MUCH OF ALABAMA, NORTHWEST GEORGIA, SOUTHEAST MISSISSIPPI, SOUTHERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE, EFFECTIVE THIS WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING FROM 145 PM UNTIL 1000 PM CDT.
   
{{red|...THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION...}}
   
DESTRUCTIVE TORNADOES...LARGE HAIL TO 4 INCHES IN DIAMETER. THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS TO 80 MPH...AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS.}}
The potential for tornadoes ramped up from noon through 9:00&nbsp;p.m. CDT. During this period, much of Alabama experienced numerous [[Supercell|supercell thunderstorms]] that produced numerous tornadoes, including the Lake Martin tornado.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Morgan |first=Leigh |date=2022-04-27 |title=18 hours of horror: A look back at the tornadoes of April 27, 2011 |url=https://www.al.com/news/2022/04/18-hours-of-horror-a-look-back-at-the-tornadoes-of-april-27-2011.html |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=[[Al.com]] |language=en |archive-date=2024-11-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241108214740/https://www.al.com/news/2022/04/18-hours-of-horror-a-look-back-at-the-tornadoes-of-april-27-2011.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-11-25 |title=Remembering April 27, 2011 in photos |url=https://www.wvtm13.com/article/remembering-april-27-2011-in-photos/3827940 |access-date=November 7, 2024 |publisher=[[WVTM]] |language=en |archive-date=December 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203180226/https://www.wvtm13.com/article/remembering-april-27-2011-in-photos/3827940 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Tornado summary==
The tornado touched down along County Road 209 near Meadowview Drive where a few snapped trees were noted.
[[File:2011 Lake Martin EF2 damage Alabama State Route 9.png|right|thumb|255x255px|EF2 damage to trees near [[Route 9]].]]
The tornado then quickly intensified to EF2 intensity as it moved northeast through Dexter. The tornado would then cross [[Highway 9]] and would damage several homes and then would intensify to EF3 intensity as it would cause its first 4 fatalities in a mobile home park at the intersection of Middle Road and Auction Barn Road. The tornado continued east to the Mount Hebron Road area and destroyed several buildings, including 2 churches and an agricultural nursery.
===Lake Martin===

The tornado then began to cross [[Lake Martin]], just south of the Highway 63 Bridge. The tornado then produced significant damage to numerous homes around the Windermere area. At this point, the tornado was nearly 1/4 mile wide.

[[File:Lake Martin tornado Mountain View Way damage.png|left|thumb|255x255px|EF4 damage to homes on [[Lake Martin]].]]
The tornado would then move into [[Tallapoosa County]] just to the south of County Road 34, where it widened to nearly 1/2 mile and strengthened to EF4 intensity.<ref name="Tallapoosasum">{{cite web |title=Alabama Event Report: EF4 Tornado |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=315334 |website=www.weather.gov |publisher=National Weather Service Birmingham AL |access-date=August 6, 2024}}</ref> Here the damage was the most widespread and severe with several well built multi-story homes totally destroyed with no walls remaining on floors above basement level. The tornado continued at this strength but became narrower to nearly 400 yards wide as it crossed [[Highway 49]] just north of Jones Road where it destroyed 2 homes and rolled a pick-up truck 120 yards. The tornado continued northeast and weakened to EF-3 strength with winds of 155 mph. It crossed U.S. Hwy 280 just east of Dadeville where it produced significant damage to several homes and businesses, and caused one fatality. The tornado crossed into [[Chambers County, Alabama|Chambers County]] west of [[LaFayette, Alabama|Lafayette]], south of CR 48.
The tornado crossed into western Chambers County and passed just to the north of Sikes. Along County Road 54 north of Sikes, one home was completely destroyed. The tornado weakened as it moved northeast across County Road 66 and ended just north of County Road 51.

Tornado Warnings were in effect for Elmore, Tallapoosa and Chambers Counties from 733 pm until
915 pm.

===Dadeville and dissipation===
The tornado remained at EF3 intensity as it began to approach [[Dadeville]] and continued its northeastward heading. Along County Road 54, a 100-year-old wood-framed home on a brick column pier raised foundation was completely obliterated; winds in this area were estimated to be up to {{convert|150|mph|kph|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Chamberssum">{{cite web |title=Alabama Event Report: EF3 Tornado |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=315335 |website=www.weather.gov |publisher=National Weather Service Birmingham AL |access-date=August 6, 2024}}</ref> The tornado then gradually weakened as it continued northeastward through densely forested areas. Trees were snapped or uprooted along this final portion of the path before the tornado dissipated at 9:09&nbsp;p.m. CDT (02:09 UTC) after tracking {{convert|44.18|mi|km}} and reaching a maximum width of {{Convert|880|yd|m}}.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=April 27, 2021 |title=April 27, 2011 tornadoes, moment-by-moment: How it happened |url=https://www.al.com/news/2021/04/april-27-2011-tornadoes-moment-by-moment-how-it-happened.html |access-date=July 29, 2024 |website=al |language=en}}</ref>

==Aftermath==
{{Expand section|September 2026|date=September 2026}}
[[File:EF4 Damage 2011 Lake Martin tornado Sandy Lane 02.png|right|thumb|255x255px|A destroyed home on Sandy lane.]]
Three Different counties including: [[Elmore County, Alabama|Elmore County]], [[Tallapoosa County]], and [[Chambers County, Alabama|Chambers County]] were all devastated by the tornado, the tornado also impacted multiple different towns and communities on [[Lake Martin]].
Following the tornado, pilot Charles Moon surveyed the path and drew out an area of "total destruction" along the path of the tornado.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Photo: Path of tornado at Lake Martin - April 27, 2011 |url=https://www.lakemartin.com/Gallery/Photo/026FE115-46C6-40A3-8FE3-3B6BD0419A7F/C2E7BCE6-39E6-433F-906B-E3621C7FF633/ |access-date=July 29, 2024 |website=www.lakemartin.com}}</ref> Losses from the tornado totaled at $167 million (2011 USD). Following the tornado, 30 people were injured and seven people were killed, four in Dexter, two on [[Lake Martin]], and one in [[Dadeville]]<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last=Sebree |first=Tyler |date=April 28, 2021 |title=April 27, 2011: The unprecedented tornado outbreak |url=https://www.wsfa.com/2021/04/27/april-unprecedented-tornado-outbreak/ |access-date=July 29, 2024 |website=WSFA |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of F4, EF4, and IF4 tornadoes]]
* [[List of tornadoes in the 2011 Super Outbreak]]
* [[2011 Super outbreak]]
* [[2011 Smithville tornado]], An EF5 tornado that occurred on the same day 
==References==
{{reflist}}