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I will always remember April 15, 2011...
A very significant tornado outbreak unfolded that day across Alabama. Many people have forgotten that day; 12 days later, Alabama had its deadliest tornado outbreak in several decades.
But, I haven't forgotten. I never will. #alwx
A very significant tornado outbreak unfolded that day across Alabama. Many people have forgotten that day; 12 days later, Alabama had its deadliest tornado outbreak in several decades.
But, I haven't forgotten. I never will. #alwx
We lost three people that day. They were part of the Hollon family. They lived in Boones Chapel, a small community in northern Autauga County, west of Marbury.
We had covered the outbreak all day. It started early and lasted late.
We had covered the outbreak all day. It started early and lasted late.
Like many of our tornado outbreaks, we had multiple waves of thunderstorms. First, the supercells. Multiple tornadoes. Then, after sunset, a QLCS - a line of storms. This QLCS was intense.
I made a quick comment about how it seemed that the storms were forming into a line.
I made a quick comment about how it seemed that the storms were forming into a line.
I then pointed out that this can sometimes reduce the risk of a big tornado. That's solid science. It proved to be terrible communication, though.
A storm embedded in the line started rotating in central Autauga County.
A storm embedded in the line started rotating in central Autauga County.
A Tornado Warning was issued at 10:44pm; the tornado touched down at 10:47pm.
This tornado was a strong one - EF-3, with maximum wind of 150mph. The Hollon family - Willard, Steve and Cheryl - were in a mobile home just south of Boones Chapel Baptist Church.
This tornado was a strong one - EF-3, with maximum wind of 150mph. The Hollon family - Willard, Steve and Cheryl - were in a mobile home just south of Boones Chapel Baptist Church.
Strong tornado, 3 minutes warning, mobile home. Bad combination.
I found out later that one of the reasons they didn't go across the street to a family member's sturdy home was that the meteorologist had said the tornado risk was decreasing.
That meteorologist was me.
I found out later that one of the reasons they didn't go across the street to a family member's sturdy home was that the meteorologist had said the tornado risk was decreasing.
That meteorologist was me.
