HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — A National Weather Service in Huntsville and Limestone County EMA survey team assessed damage in far Southwestern Limestone County Friday, August 11, which was associated with a line of severe thunderstorms early in the morning of August 10, 2023. Damage was consistent with a high-end EF-0 tornado with maximum winds of 85 mph.
The tornado was on the ground for approximately 5 minutes and has a maximum width of 225 yards. Damage indicators were a mix of softwood and hardwood trees. The tornado formed on the northern shore of Wheeler Lake on Davis Road. Several trees were uprooted along with very large, snapped branches. One home sustained damage in this area as a tree fall on the back side of the structure. While the tree looked snapped, the health of the tree looked to be in question which likely led to its quick failure. The tornado then crossed an inlet and uprooted several more trees along Beechwood Road, before continuing to the Brigadoon neighborhood.
Significant and more widespread tree damage was noted in the neighborhood as trees were uprooted, power poles knocked down, and large branches snapped. The tornado continued to follow the northern shore of Wheeler Lake/Tennessee River but began weakening. Damage, much less widespread compared to areas further west, was observed along Beech Fork Lane and sporadic tree damage through Shaw Road. The tornado likely lifted just east of Shaw Road.