Anderson Hills Tornado Map
On Thursday May 18, 1995, a powerful and destructive F4 tornado struck several towns near the city of Huntsville, Alabama, killing one person and causing extensive damage and devastation, including the destruction of the Anderson Hills subdivision. The tornado touched down just northwest of Athens. It tracked from that point through eastern Limestone County, through Harvest, Meridianville, and New Market in northern Madison County, Alabama, and ended near Princeton in northwest Jackson County, Alabama. The strongest portion of the tornado's path was near Harvest in northwest Madison County around the Anderson Hills subdivision and the Huntsville Dragway, lending the tornado its name. The tornado resulted in US$5 million (1995) in property damage.
The path of the Anderson Hills tornado
On the evening of Thursday, May 18, 1995, a tornado touched down 4 miles northwest of Athens. Over the next 39.0 miles it traveled east, passing near Athens, before lifting 5 miles northwest of Pleasant Groves.
At its widest the damage path was 1,300 yards (0.7 miles) across. It was rated F4 on the Fujita Scale, a violent tornado. It killed 1 person and injured 55.
The track, widths and figures on this map come from the Storm Prediction Center's survey record, so they can differ slightly from totals published elsewhere.
What was the Anderson Hills tornado?
The Anderson Hills tornado was a powerful and destructive F4 storm that struck northern Alabama on May 18, 1995. It touched down near Athens in Limestone County and tracked through Madison County before ending near Princeton in Jackson County. The tornado killed one person and caused significant property damage totaling $5 million. The event derives its name from the Anderson Hills subdivision in Madison County, which sustained major damage.
What was the Anderson Hills tornado wind speed?
The provided text does not explicitly state a maximum recorded wind speed in miles per hour. Official assessments categorize the tornado as F4 on the Fujita scale based on the intensity of damage observed during the survey. This rating reflects the severity of the structural destruction within the Anderson Hills subdivision and other impacted areas. Investigators confirmed the presence of multiple vortices within the storm circulation at the height of its intensity.
What was the Anderson Hills tornado path?
The tornado touched down at 5:33 p.m. roughly three miles northwest of Athens, Alabama. It tracked east through eastern Limestone County, crossing through Harvest, Meridianville, and New Market in northern Madison County. The storm continued moving east, eventually dissipating near Princeton in northwestern Jackson County at 6:21 p.m. The entire track covered parts of three counties over the course of 48 minutes.
How many people died in the Anderson Hills tornado?
The tornado resulted in one fatality and 55 injuries. Chuck Dale, a 30-year-old resident, received major injuries when the storm destroyed mobile homes at the Oakdale Mobile Home Park. He died two days after the tornado struck. Emergency responders and local hospitals managed the victims following the storm impact.
What did the Anderson Hills tornado destroy?
The tornado destroyed 13 mobile homes at the Oakdale Mobile Home Park in Limestone County and 21 houses in the Anderson Hills subdivision. It also demolished a home near Patterson Lane and caused substantial damage to a cotton gin and a large farmhouse near Steger Curve. Numerous other buildings sustained damage throughout the path, including the Piggly Wiggly on SR 53. Over 19,500 customers lost power across the affected counties.
What caused the Anderson Hills tornado?
The provided text does not contain specific atmospheric data regarding dew points, shear, or supercell dynamics. It describes the storm as a violent tornado that developed northwest of Athens and intensified as it moved east. National Weather Service records indicate the tornado warning was issued at 5:42 p.m. for Madison County. Sirens activated shortly after at 5:43 p.m. to alert residents on the northwest side of the county.
What happened after the Anderson Hills tornado?
Emergency services and officials conducted surveys to assess the structural damage and coordinate recovery efforts. The National Weather Service in Huntsville archived the documentation of the path and intensity. Local utility providers repaired widespread power outages affecting more than 19,500 customers. The event remains documented in local records alongside other significant historic tornadoes.
