Tornado Confirmed Striking Southeast Alabama Through Houston and Henry Counties Including Headland, Kinsey, and Webb Area Monday Night May 25 With EF Scale Survey Underway
SOUTHEAST ALABAMA — A tornado moved through parts of Houston and Henry counties in southeast Alabama Monday night around 7:45PM, causing significant structural damage across the affected corridor as an NWS Tallahassee survey team prepares to determine the official EF scale rating of the event. The tornado formed despite large-scale synoptic features not supporting tornado development, with a mesoscale convective vortex moving up from the south providing the necessary shear that made the event possible.
MCV Feature Provided the Shear That Triggered Tornado Despite Unfavorable Large Scale Setup
A mesoscale convective vortex tracking northward from the south supplied the critical low-level shear needed to produce rotation even though the broader synoptic weather pattern did not favor tornado development. This type of unexpected tornado scenario is a reminder that severe weather can develop under conditions that do not fit the classic outbreak setup.
NWS Tallahassee issued a Tornado Warning at 7:31PM CDT as the storm intensified, with the warning covering a corridor through Headland, Kinsey, Webb, and toward Cowarts. The warning polygon depicted exposed a population of 7,875 residents along with four schools within the threat zone.
WDHN TV Studio Takes Direct Hit as Rotation Tracked Through Alabama Highway 52
The WDHN television studio located on Alabama Highway 52 between Dothan and Webb took a direct hit from the tornado as it tracked through the region. The Alabama Weather Network immediately activated live coverage when the tornado warning was issued and maintained continuous coverage until rotation dissipated south of Abbeville.
Damage photos from the affected zone show significant structural destruction to homes and buildings across the path, with multiple structures suffering severe roof and wall damage consistent with a notable tornado impact. The full extent of damage across the corridor will be assessed as the NWS survey team completes its work.
NWS Tallahassee Survey Team Assessing EF Scale Rating Across the Damage Path
The NWS Tallahassee survey team will examine the damage corridor through Houston and Henry counties to determine the official EF scale intensity rating for the tornado. Residents across the affected communities should cooperate with survey teams and document any property damage for insurance and emergency management purposes. Stay with NapervilleLocal.com for the latest weather updates and local forecast coverage.
I’ve lived in Naperville long enough to see how quickly our community changes — from new developments downtown to sudden shifts in our Midwest weather. Reporting on Naperville news and daily forecasts gives me the chance to keep neighbors informed about what really matters. My goal is simple: deliver clear, timely updates so you always know what’s happening in our city and what to expect from the skies above.