Vinemont Tornado - November 24, 2001

Vinemont Tornado

North of Cullman, damage had been reported at Terri Pines Country Club, and in the town of Vinemont. At Terri Pines, there were several tall trees damaged, either uprooted or snapped off at mid-trunk at approximately 1:00 PM CST. One witness at the golf course reported to have seen a funnel; another witness reported a sudden end to

Click on image to view approximate track of tornado.

a downpour, the sky turning black, then a sudden return of the downpour with the sky becoming lighter. From the golf course, the storm moved northeast. The tornado appears to have lifted or weakened as it crossed I-65, as there was only minimal debris from the trees along the road. The tornado continued northeasterly to Vinemont, just west of US Highway 31 and south of County Road 1292 just after 1:00 PM CST. The tornado reached F1 strength, destroying 2 chicken barns and severely damaging a third, scattering debris at least a mile away. A mobile home slightly downhill from the chicken barns had parts of it's roof torn off, and there were several holes in the side of the mobile home caused by debris projectiles. The final damage along the track was a stick frame garage, which was shifted off it's slab in a twisting motion, causing it to collapse on itself. Witnesses at this location reported hearing a load roaring noise, similar to a jet aircraft. At it's widest point, the tornado was approximately 200 yards wide. The total length of the path was about 2.1 miles.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for Cullman County 1225 PM, valid until 1:00 PM CST. At 12:41 PM CST, the warning was upgraded to a Tornado Warning, valid until 1:30 PM CST. Tornado Watch 818 was in effect for Cullman County, which was issued at 9:19 AM CST.

Click on the images to see a larger view.

Damage to mobile homes.

Damage to chicken coop building.

Another shot of the damage to the chicken coop building.