1989 — Nov 15, Tornado, Madison County, Huntsville, Alabama — 21

— 21  Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 1290.

— 21  National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 31, No. 11, Nov 1989, pp. 23-24.

— 21  NCDC. Storm Events Database. Tornado, F4, AL, Madison Co., 11-15-1989, 16:30 CST.

— 21  National Weather Service WFO Birmingham, AL.  Huntsville Tornado, Nov. 15, 1989

 

Breakout of Fatalities (from NCDC Storm Data, p. 24)

 

Female             68        Mobile Home

Female             61        Commercial

Female             48        Auto

Male                47        Commercial

Male                45        Auto

Male                36        Auto

Male                30        Auto

Female             67        Apartment

Female             22        Apartment

Male                  7        Auto

Female             49        Auto

Female             86        Auto (died Dec 8)

Female             52        Apartment (died Dec 5)

Male                46        Auto

Male                46        Auto

Female             40        Auto

Male                33        Commercial

Female             50        Commercial

Female             23        Auto

Female             25        Apartment

Female               2        Auto

 

Narrative Information

 

Grazulis: “AL  NOV 15, 1989 1630 21k 463 inj 800y 19m F4.  MADISON — A devastating tornado struck the southern portion of Huntsville. Alter first touching down lm SSW of Madkin Mountain on the Redstone Arsenal, it cut a swath from SW to NE through a business and heavily populated residential section. The tornado struck during evening rush hour along US-231. Homes, schools office buildings, apartments, and businesses were ripped apart. Eighteen of the 21 deaths occurred in the area between the intersection of Airport Road and US-231, and the intersection of Airport Road and Whitesburg Road. Twelve of the deaths were in cars, four were in commercial buildings, four were in apartments, and one was in a trailer. Most of those killed in cars were just going about their normal business, and not fleeing or seeking shelter in a car. The Jones Valley Elementary school sustained a direct hit and had its upper story ripped off and scattered. The school still contained 37 children and 12 adults, many of them on the second floor. They found safety under a stairway on the first floor. The second floor would have been a death trap. All manner of buildings, transmission towers, vehicles, churches, and four shopping centers were destroyed. $100,000,000.” (Grazulis. 1993, 1290.)

 

NCDC Storm Data: “A devastating tornado struck the southern portion of the City of Huntsville cutting a swath of destruction from southwest toward the northeast through a business section and a heavily populated residential area. Twenty-one people died and 463 were injured as a result of the tornado. Eighteen people died in the tornado, and three others at later dates, from injuries sustained in the tornado….The tornado struck during the beginning of rush hour in Huntsville and, while at its strongest, moved through a business area, crossing two major north-south highways. Twelve of the 21 deaths (57 percent) occurred in automobiles. Most of those killed in the cars were in the process of performing normal tasks as opposed to fleeing in or seeking the automobiles for safety….Eighteen of the twenty-one fatalities occurred in the area between the intersection of Airport Road and U.S. Highway 231 and the intersection of Airport Road and Whitesburg Road. Twelve of the deaths occurred in automobiles, four in apartments, and four in commercial buildings….” (NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 31, No. 11, Nov 1989, p. 23.)

 

NWS WFO Birmingham: “Huntsville, Alabama, was struck by a deadly tornado around 4:30 pm on Wednesday, November 15, 1989. From an initial touchdown point on the Redstone Arsenal, the storm cut a destructive, 18.5-mile swath on its northeast trek across the southern sections of Huntsville. Plowing through businesses and heavily populated residential areas of the city, the tornado left a tragic legacy; 21 dead, 463 injured and damage estimated at 100 million dollars. Twelve of the 21 fatalities occurred in automobiles as many persons were homeward bound during the afternoon rush hour. The storm was rated an F4 on the Fujita Tornado Intensity Scale.”  (NWS WFO Birmingham, AL.  Huntsville Tornado, Nov. 15, 1989.)

 

Sources

 

Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, VE: Environmental Films, 1993.

 

National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 31, No. 11, Nov 1989. Asheville, NC: NCDC, NOAA, US Dept. of Commerce. Accessed 5-11-2016 at: http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/swdi/stormevents/pub-pdf/storm_1989_11.pdf

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Tornado, F4, Alabama, Madison County, 11-15-1989, 16:30 CST. Accessed 5-11-2016 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9980232

 

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Birmingham, AL. Huntsville Tornado, Nov. 15, 1989. NWS. 1-4-2009 at: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx/significant_events/1989/11_15/index.php