Rainsville - The Strongest Tornado You've Never Heard Of

This is the story of the EF5 Rainsville tornado from 2011. One of the strongest tornadoes of the April 27, 2011 Super Outbreak (and possibly of all time.) Be sure to subscribe if you enjoyed this video.
Rainsville - The Strongest Tornado You've Never Heard Of
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[@tornadotrx]

Hope you guys enjoyed this one! I put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into it! Edit: at 12:30 when talking about the safe, I was told by the owner Tammy Robinson that the door was "never found." So I don't have an explanation for what could possibly be the safe door to the left. I'd assume with how long ago the tornado was, it's hard to remember small details like that. Hope this doesn't take too much away from the video. Love you guys

[@V10L3T_V1]

1sttt

[@cindyboard7816]

I saw what you meant about the door to the safe. I'm wondering if the safe was inside another small safe room with a steel door.

[@DewBaby_]

I love your documentaries I could binge watch these, also could you do the Hesston Kansas F5?

[@lancecurry7538]

Hoping you'll be doing detailed documentaries on Philadelphia some day, too! And Hackleburg and Smithville! All four EF5's are worth a video!

[@artbmarshall]

Earned a subscriber from me, 1st vid of yours I’ve watched. Solid work.

[@tsbell8984]

Lifting a storm shelter, digging up a concrete foundation, ripping up asphalt and sidewalks, that’s a monster. You can never underestimate the power of tornadoes.

[@cs77smith67]

I agree, and it makes me wonder If tornadoes can do all of that, then the safest thing may be to just get miles out of its way

[@Skivy00]

It didnt lift a storm selter bro

[@Netzachfromlor]

@@Skivy00yea you didnt

[@amuroray1085]

It's just flat out bonkers.

[@bee92887]

​@@Skivy00yes it did

[@jeffisaliar]

The safe, footer, and shelters being lifted is probably the most terrifying thing concerning a tornado I've ever heard of!

[@leanneadams2549]

I thought the same thing !

[@lancecurry7538]

That moment where even underground doesn't seem like a guaranteed safe spot... Anyone have records on how deep the Rainsville EF5 scoured the ground?

[@OoogaBoog]

@@lancecurry7538 In the video it mentioned 3 feet at one point.

[@SteveTpenn]

​@@OoogaBoogThat was the Philadelphia EF5. It was produced by the same supercell.

[@electrik_loss]

@@SteveTpenn now THAT tornado was a true monster. Well, you could say that all four of the EF5s from the 2011 Super Outbreak were among the strongest of all time. Also, the Philadelphia EF5 ground scouring reached up to two foot in depth, at least from what I've read. Regardless, those four were unlike anything seen before or since, maybe except for a few like Jarrell or Bridge Creek. I just pray we won't see another tornado like those for an extremely long time.

[@SilverThunder710]

Rainsville is honestly way too forgotten. Any EF5 should be remembered. Just like Piedmont, there was other tragedy that just overshadowed this one.

[@Sj430]

With the El Reno/Piedmont tornado I didn't know it happened until someone mentioned it on a tornado video I was watching. Unfortunately it had to happen 2 days after the Joplin tornado. I knew about the rainsville tornado but it's the least talked about of the EF5 tornadoes that happened on April 27th.

[@Smuggy667]

The tornado that was able to cover this one was moore 1999 ef5 being the most strongest on earth

[@jeanlawson9133]

Exactly, I have not forgotten.

[@someperson3883]

@@Sj430that and it gets overshadowed by the 2013 El Reno tornado

[@mpk6664]

The Lawrence F5 is another long forgotten tornado

[@poggergen1937]

"Oh my god it took the tree!" Be glad that's all it took from you 😭

[@AlienTheInvader]

ik this is a joke but anxiety is a thing

[@davedavidson8208]

i literally said outloud "fuck that tree" lmao

[@deathbycheese850]

I don't think she was bothered so much about losing the tree, but the strength of the winds that ripped it up, and carried it away.

[@riioas5543]

@@AlienTheInvaderlmao can it

[@GarrettIngallJr]

​@@davedavidson8208 lmao

[@BocchiTheBox]

Hearing a 3 foot trench being made to me sounds way more terrifying than destroying homes or derooting trees. The basement, one of the most well-known safest places to be in during a Tornado. Is effectively useless by that point.

[@Man_Aslume]

Yeah it is truly a monster of a storm

[@soda_coir7595]

At that point time to evacuate the entire area of the path if your near and especially in it.

[@protipskiptoendofvideoandr286]

Anything but a in ground tornado shelter is not going to save you from an ef5

[@TheStarforce2]

I got to see the after effects of the comerfry tornado in minnesota in the late 90's, it was a high school field trip to help clean up the town. We saw balled vehicles, stripped (not debarked though) trees, one was stripped of everything over 20 feet high, but oddly had an ear of corn still hanging from a trunk mounted feeder. lumber and other similar items speared into the sides of buildings and cars, a massive pontoon boat wrapped around a tree, a basketball hoop imbedded in a tree trunk, and on particular house that was stripped to the foundation, its floor missing, basement stairs sucked out, contents stirred around and the swing set dumped in for good measure while the house on either side (fairly close too) lost their entry stairs and a few windows and siding bits only. This was part of an outbreak notable due to happening march 29, very early.

[@TheStarforce2]

another interesting tidbit, it cracked up several large ground mounted satalite dishes..the big old ones that made it look like you were searching for ET instead of extra sports channels. atleast one for sure was converted into a sled by lashing powerlines (which were everywhere, just grab some) to the supports for the receiver and filled with garbage. Students then acted as horses pulling this sled around with loads of debris. Its a pitty I never got a pic of this. I have other photos around here, non digital ofcourse.

[@chrisholloway12]

I'm the grandson of Wayne Thompson, the home on 591 was my childhood home. My uncle Andy is the one that actually snapped that picture. I was lucky enough to not be there, but a homemade storm shelter is what saved everyone's life that day. My grandfather (Wayne) built it into the side of the hill at 672 Co Rd 591 in the 90s. I remember when he was putting it in.

[@tornadotrx]

Wow! Thank you so much for sharing. There was very little information on the photo and backstory so I had to piece together what I could. I’m also very sorry for your loss as I know Mr. Wayne passed away. I appreciate your comment

[@mfilitti]

Oh my goodness. I'm so glad everyone was safe.

[@jessiefrye3045]

562 County Rd 321, Dawson, was my Parents house. It picked their house up, and "adjusted it" 4 inches, and sat it back down.

[@Whetfaartz1]

which photo? can you timestamp it?

[@asantesamuel13]

@@Whetfaartz115:50

[@grapeshot]

Dixie Ally tornadoes are known to be ambush artists. Because of the hilly and wooded terrain in the American Southeast. Also they have the tendency to be rain wrapped.

[@scarpfish]

Tornadoes in Dixie Alley also usually have faster forward speed than their plains states counterparts, so people in harm's way have less time to react.

[@sorcererCermet]

it's amazing to me how strong this one was for so long while being essentially low precipitation. you can see it so clearly. an absolute monster

[@dannyllerenatv8635]

@@scarpfish I would also group Ohio Valley twisters in with Dixie Alley twisters. They behave in a nearly identical manner and are just as chaotic. Henryville and Xenia being two examples

[@timcarroll6795]

they also move NNE at up to 70mph, multivortex or multi-form, rain-wrapped, and the storm bases are often scraping the ground making the tornado, even if it isn't rain-wrapped, hard to distinguish from scud and ragged base. I've chased monsters in MS and AL, the one that really stands out to me was December 23rd 2015th, Clarksdale to Holly Springs, MS ... I got on it as it crossed I-55 a quarter mile from me, destroyed houses, flipped a semi... then spent HOURS doing SAR in holly springs. That was one for the books, of all the tornados I've seen.

[@kariblackwood5811]

They also have a tendency to occur at night. I live in Huntsville and experienced that many times.

[@tokyo_taxi7835]

"It's not that bad! It's not gonna get me!" Baby girl, that thing is RIGHT NEXT TO YOU!

[@lancecurry7538]

I don't think she realized that tornadoes typically extend past the condensation funnel. She's lucky that the tornado wasn't any closer...

[@dannyllerenatv8635]

@@lancecurry7538 Very lucky, especially with how profoundly violent this tornado was. This tornado caused EF5 damage before wedging out, not long after it passed her, so she definitely got VERY lucky.

[@tokyo_taxi7835]

@@lancecurry7538 Out of this world lucky.

[@thefumyandthechev]

It is like standing right on the even horizon of black hole

[@bumplebees]

AND SHE WAS STANDING RIGHT NEXT TO A WINDOW FGHJLGA I was terrified, kept waiting for it to shatter

[@Volgotha]

16:31 "Weee have a.. TornadoOO... headed towards.. thisaway" I burst out laughing I'm sorry I know it's not a funny situation but her intonation absolutely killed me 🤭🤣 she's so calm and polite abt it

[@dronegutz]

so did i! glad to know im not alone LMAO, i do hope they survived, though. i was thinking abt that after finishing this video

[@jeffleonard343]

Haha yeah and you can hear the roar of the tornado in her video!!

[@dieterdelange9488]

I would never sound that calm or cheerful if a giant EF5 was a mile away from me. 😮😅

[@ImRiixBruh]

You're not alone. I was questioning myself why a 20 year old sounds like grandma who's seen everything in life with how chill she was about it

[@jacktownsend24]

Thank you for shedding light on the tornado that changed my hometown forever! I was in kindergarten when it hit and in the video you showed the path of the tornado going right over my house! My mom, dad, little sister, and I where all severely injured and our home was completely destroyed but we all survived and we built back on the same land where that monster tore through our lives 13 years ago today. As long as we are still around, Rainsville will never be forgotten!

[@rosanneg2195]

That sounds like a horrible experience. Luckily your family survived 🙏🏻 I am making short documentaries about tornado survivors and how it affected them. I was wondering if you'd want to share what it was like to be in a tornado and how you are doing afterward?

[@lookdawg187]

Did you build a stronger home? I went from a low grade US home to a strong EU home, now I laugh at EF4 tornadoes from my bedroom window since it only busted older windows which are lower quality. I'm so glad I left US before Katrina hit and sold all, my old house was found scattered all over the park.

[@aloominknottyheadtap900]

I'm sorry this happened to you. Glad you all made it!

[@bigtuss7482]

@@lookdawg187where did you move too

[@samalbert6828]

Man.. this video is unreal. Your attention to detail, ability to triangulate positions and deduce information from analyzing multiple sources simultaneously, your meteorological knowledge, your attention to the human impact of the storm… you’ve got a seriously special gift. This is top tier by any measure. I would love to see a breakdown of the Phil Campbell tornado and Smithville as well, a ton to unpack with both of those storms. It’s my opinion that those tornados on April 27 2011 were just built entirely different. They were extremely fast moving unstoppable forces feeding off that once in a century atmospheric setup.

[@tornadotrx]

This means a lot, some people don't realize how tough it is to line up and triangulate every little piece of media and analyze deep corners into a cohesive story haha! I really appreciate it. Both tornadoes are on my list, they are just both so mindblowing its hard to craft a narrative that will do it justice. Hopefully I can make it happen at some point.

[@derekpiotr]

Came here to say this. your videos are immaculate! Subscribed.

[@awfurfracksake]

This is the first video i'm watching from this channel and i already subscribed just from this video alone

[@stoney1716]

Agree. Very well done. I love the synching of the videos with the map of where they happen and in chronological order. Not to mention the backstories provided with each.

[@ctgg6259]

My birthday is the day before these tornadoes happened

[@AussBosss]

5:52 “It’s not gonna hit me. It’s not gonna hit me.” The panic in her voice is so relatable as she’s trying to stay calm while deep down hoping that god is listening and the tornado doesn’t turn.

[@jonathanbuyno9461]

Mother Nature is a badass bitch

[@tralactic4347]

Isn't the tornado there because of god?

[@AnjelSpeaks]

No. The Bible says the devil comes to kill steal and destroy. But God comes to bring life. He allows it, though, bc he gave us power over evil. But sin increases more demons to have power. ​@tralactic4347

[@thelouster5815]

@@tralactic4347No, it’s because of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

[@CalicoTheWolf]

@@tralactic4347no its from Albert Einstein

[@jacobm2625]

That picture of the tornado at 15:52 is one of the most chilling storm images I've ever seen. That family is fortunate to be alive, I'll tell you what.

[@Redjan_Mapping]

Looks like something straight out of a horror film. Looks horrific as hell.

[@lancecurry7538]

The Dead Man Walking walks away from the path of carnage it left behind.

[@peaceonearth351]

@@Redjan_Mapping It was. I'm a survivor of this tornado. Missed me by 200 yards. It was close to being apocalyptic.

[@drewbrewer8379]

yea man, theres just someting so damned un-nerving about that photo...

[@yepsure4202]

Tell us what?

[@ZeranZeran]

16:21 I was expecting to see a woman trying to shoot the tornado with a gun and now I'm laughing and feel bad Incredibly well made, and great job on this man. New fan made!

[@Echo3_]

I don’t get living in Oklahoma. If you moved to a state and they told you 4 neighborhoods would be bombed at random every year no one would move there 🤷‍♂️

[@Jakob_The_Stoic_Norseman]

As borin' as this state can be... livin' under its skies is a very humblin' experience

[@davidatkinson8515]

That's why we have underground storm shelters.

[@Echo3_]

@@Jakob_The_Stoic_Norseman I been out there nothing cooler thank riding down the highway with a clear horizon at sunset that gives way to an amazing lightning storm. I would just be so scared to get caught out and killed by a massive tornado

[@carryeveryday910]

Low cost of living. Good paying jobs. Beautiful landscape. It really is Gods country.

[@Echo3_]

@@carryeveryday910 this could be the ignorance of a person who only sees the worst but just the possibility of an EF-5 keeps me away everything else is awesome

[@grantaliniGD]

It's crazy how it did EF5 damage while looking like a semi-invisible mess of vortices. Shows how tornadoes don't need to look like a classic wedge or stovepipe to have 200+ mph winds. I think there could be something about the internal pressure of tornadoes that makes them do more damage with the same windspeeds. El Reno 2013 and Bridgecreek-Moore had nearly equal windspeeds, but Bridgecreek-Moore did way more damage, for example extreme ground scouring while El Reno had little to none. This could be a future discovery when technology becomes good enough.

[@tornadotrx]

Your thoughts on this are spot on! Can't wait to see our research in the future!

[@slipknottin]

El Reno 2013 didn’t have anywhere close to the wind speed of Moore. The high wind speeds recorded in El Reno were in subvortices, not in the main tornado.

[@sabishiihito]

@@slipknottin if the stronger subvortices had hit well-built structures and slabbed them, it would have gotten an EF-5. Doesn't really matter if it's the main vortex or not.

[@slipknottin]

@@sabishiihito it absolutely does matter. First off there is absolutely no evidence that El Reno had 200+ mph winds at ground level, and secondly, if you look at damage surveys of actual eF5 tornados the number of damage indicators showing eF5 strength is always quite small. A handful at most for a lot of them. So if you reduce the 200+ wind speed to a tiny little area, the chance it causes eF5 damage is tiny. El Reno was barely rated an ef3, of the hundreds of damage indicators the survey teams looked at there were only 5 that showed ef3 intensity. I don’t get the obsession people have with that tornado.

[@sabishiihito]

@@slipknottin it was in a sparsely populated area, had it hit OKC metro I don't think you'd be saying that.

[@molky_e]

If you look closely at 6:41 you may see what appear to be 2 vortex that make the tornado looks like dead man walking, and they also appear to orbit around the main funnel too

[@jamessimms415]

Agree

[@jacobm2625]

That was my thought as well. I literally said out loud "Dead man walking" when I saw the last few frames. Scary.

[@jackzimmer6553]

Anytime you see multiple vortices from a tornado it’s time to stop recording and seek immediate shelter.

[@katj3443]

Saw it first thing I thought of was dead man walking.

[@nonenoneagain270]

Yeah I see that

[@wubberson4450]

How you’ve described this tornado makes it seem like the most valid candidate for the impossible EF-6 tornado. Like holy hell, I’ve never heard of damage like that before. It’s criminal that this tornado isn’t more widely known.

[@SteveTpenn]

All of the EF5 tornadoes that happened that day produced incredible damage.

[@26michaeluk]

​@@SteveTpennyep. Every single one had incredible damage indicators. I'd also argue the Tuscaloosa tornado, which had verified EF5 damage indicators in two different locations, should've been an EF5.

[@Steve-bi4ej]

​@@26michaeluk agreed

[@speakerpythia]

I believe, before he changed his statement, Dr. Fujita ascribed a hypothetical F6 to the Xenia, Ohio tornado. It wouldn't surprise me, had he still been alive during this time, he might've said the same for this one.

[@26michaeluk]

@@speakerpythia common myth. Xenia wasn't even the strongest tornado of the outbreak. Brandenburg and Guin were stronger and showed much stronger damage indicators. Xenia was mostly F3 damage. I'd suggest you check out a website that has the 20 strongest tornadoes list. Just type in extreme planet strongest tornadoes. He breaks down every tornado meticulously and the damage.

[@Thy-void]

12:18 the tornado tryna get the money💀

[@adriel7229]

I'm stunned. I had never heard of Rainsville until just now. This deserves so much more attention. Excellent video. Please consider making a video of the Niles, OH/Wheatland, PA tornado. I live in this area and remember when it happened in 1985. I was 7. I just learned now that it was an EF5. Wheatland is a tiny industrial town and was nearly wiped out.

[@ArtForSwans]

A tornado powerful enough to destroy multiple brick and stone homes along with parts of their foundations, pulverize trees and concrete, rip an 800-pound bolted safe out of the ground, and destroy a storm shelter... that sounds more like the kind of inconceivable damage that a theoretical EF6 would be capable of. I'm amazed this tornado was so overshadowed, but I think it's starting to get more recognition now.

[@dannyllerenatv8635]

The NWS even stated in their survey that this tornado produced some of the most violent ever surveyed in a twister. That is not something the NWs says lightly

[@peaceonearth351]

As it should get more recognition.

[@netrade3898]

I was thinking of that EF-6 theory, too. A twister of this magnitude of strength, especially the damage to the safe, is downright inconceivable.

[@ChristopherPortorreal-ol2mj]

If tornados can get that powerful it's not even worth seeking shelter at this point

[@urban_cultivator4202]

​@ChristopherPortorreal-ol2mj Yes at that point you run, if you get reports on it doing this kind of damage and it's heading your way then your best bet is to haul ass like you never have before.

[@jmcsquared18]

8:00 "If you see the dead man walking, you are about to die." This thing was like a clone of Jarrell. Multivortex tornados are different beasts.

[@LVM5584]

Not even fully condensed and still doing F5 Damage. It looked a lot like the Xenia Tornado here. And those words are simply bone chilling

[@brianajustice451]

I’m glad I wasn’t the only one that noticed the second vortex dead man walking has got to be the most terrifying

[@vovanchidfy]

9:49

[@dtperformance256]

I lived on Lingerfelt road (Co Rd180). Me, my wife and two sons (ages 7 and 16) were in the house when it hit. They were scattered out in the yard and I was found 75 yards away from the house in the woods. My wife had a fractured nearly broken leg, my two boys were injured but ok and I had 9 broken ribs, broken shoulder, and two concussions. My neighbor was killed that day. We were blessed to be alive, but definitely remember this day and are very weather alert and aware. Good video, but a very bad day that day.

[@tornadotrx]

Thank you so much for the comment, I’m so sorry to hear about how tragic the experience was. It was an evil day for sure

[@lordfatcock]

Shew.. I don't know how managed to move around. That must have hurt like hell

[@dtperformance256]

I didn’t move for days. I was in the hospital being treated for injuries. Didn’t feel anything until later when I tried walking and getting around. It was rough for sure.

[@rosanneg2195]

That sounds like a horrible experience. I hope you’re okay 🙏🏻 I am making short documentaries about tornado survivors and how it affected them. I was wondering if you'd want to share what it was like to be in a tornado and how you are doing afterward?

[@kimmieh8419]

OMG! 😳 I'm so sorry your family had to experience that, but I'm THRILLED you're all OK and doing well! I'm also sorry about your neighbor. Hopefully you'll never have to go through that again. 🙏

[@masterjolteryukai3919]

Honestly for me the posterboy of an EF5 tornado is Joplin. But Rainsville now lives in my memory rent free.

[@kellychildress9660]

I was working at a nursing home in Rolla Mo the night the Joplin tornado hit in 2011 . It was coming up I 44 they said and we were getting residents prepared. .

[@kellynorman3930]

I watch alot of tornado videos and this is the first I've heard of the Rainsville tornado. So tragic... No F5 should ever go unnoticed. God bless those people in its path❤

[@TwisterArchival]

finally… This tornado is underrated as hell for an EF5 and It deserves way more attention. I guess that’s what makes it special though. Amazing job as always :)

[@tornadotrx]

Glad you liked it!

[@Republic-Studios1]

I don’t think we should get this excited because a tornado gets attention 💀

[@OuterGalaxyLounge]

Whatya mean "finally?" Carly Anna did one last week.

[@TwisterArchival]

@@OuterGalaxyLounge I didn’t know until I searched up the Rainsville tornado on KZbin, lol.

[@reclusiarchgrimaldus1269]

Bro's talking about like it's a game review

[@JacobThatGuy1]

When A storm cellar is RIPPED OUT OF THE GROUND! You Better Know, That HAS to Be EF5!

[@dieterdelange9488]

Even perhaps the F6/EF6 of legend.

[@avgtsuki]

@@dieterdelange9488If I were to guess, the only time EF6 will be argued is when there is NOTHING. When it looks as if there was never housing in the area in the first place, that’s when the first EF6 rating will be issued. I’m sure of it.

[@robertredmon6387]

As devastating as these storms and which they are. Tornadoes are beautiful and interesting I never want to see someone lose everything

[@dieterdelange9488]

@@robertredmon6387 I agree!

[@JacobThatGuy1]

I would say EF6 Would Be Sturdy Homes wiped off the foundation, Well-constructed buildings (skyscrapers) slabbed, cellars ripped from ground, And winds of 325+

[@konikitty]

As someone who's watched a LOT of tornado videos, this is the BEST explained/visualized tornado video I"ve seen. Bravo, love the pacing, editing, everything!

[@ApocalypseStyle]

honestly it's not even his best video. this guy is the best.

[@stormthattherian]

7:52 When the tornado suddenly became a EF5 in seconds my jaw dropped. I went back about 3 times cause I couldn’t believe it. RIP to the people who die in this tornado.

[@fibsh7453]

9:35 thats a weird thing to say during a natural disaster where people lost their lives

[@infiniteoctopaw]

I'm glad I wasn't the only one who thought that was in incredibly poor taste.

[@TheArchighves]

They’ll say god is good when they survive. But won’t care about any of the many people who died. Their god isn’t good, never has been.

[@Cory_Springer]

First she lies (it didn't just pass over her house) then she praises her god for saving her from her imaginary tornado. She doesn't care about other people. There is no greater hate than "christian love".

[@mattg881]

​@@Cory_Springeragreed

[@iamdatabrained]

She probably said that because her family came out unscathed??

[@lancecurry7538]

*Philadelphia Tornado:* 2 foot ground scouring. *Hackleburg Tornado:* Longest-lived, consistent EF5 damage, and deadliest of the outbreak. *Smithville Tornado:* Utter granulation, deletion, annihilation of a Jarrell scale. *Rainsville Tornado:* Incredible feats of EF5 strength, with insane damage indicators.

[@savvydirtfarmer]

All within hours of each other. Hard to fathom, even today.

[@winnienguyen4420]

All prime candidates for the mythical F6 in my opinion.

[@draco4234]

In my oppinion the smithville tornado could be the strongest ever, the jarrel scale damage came with a fast tracking tornado (not exactly sure how fast but at least 50 kph+)

[@electrik_loss]

​@@draco4234If memory serves it was hauling ass with like a 60 mph forward velocity

[@thwingerpodthvet4302]

@@draco4234it was much more than that. Around 100kph.

[@josbertacosta883]

I live in Dekalb county, maybe 10 minutes from Rainsville. Really good videos of the tornado, I haven't ever seen. I was a kid during the 2011 outbreak and remember how terrifying it was. My whole family went to see the damage the day after and never had we seen such destruction. Everyone around used to never take Tornado watches or warnings very seriously but after 2011, everyone was scared of even a 10% risk factor in our area. I know an image doesn't exist but I remember an 18-wheeler that was mangled into the gas station across from the school, it literally looked melded with the gas station. From all the victims that died, Rainsville added a memorial at the auditorium that is beyond beautiful, I wish you would have added that. There is an interview with Daryl Lester on the channel NWSHunsville on how people recovered in this area, especially right from the search and rescue. Really good video, finally a video was made on something that affected my area so much.

[@tornadotrx]

Thank you for the insight. I had struggled a lot with the writing of the outro and what to include etc. Thanks for the kind words

[@itsnotthesamething]

I moved to a Sand Mountain community in Jackson County in 2019. Numerous people have told me their experiences during and after the storms, and it's nothing short of terrifying. Most everybody here knows someone who lost their home, or were badly injured or killed. Everybody I've met takes tornado threats seriously. They are all terrified of tornados. Many of them have told me they didn't worry too much about tornados before April 27, 2011.

[@josbertacosta883]

@@tornadotrxit was a great video, I don’t make videos but I can tell you looked very deep for this. The one video from Paul Todd I have never seen it and it took me by awe since it really shows the massive monster. You got a sub from me!

[@DaraS84]

My dad's cousin lived in DeKalb county near Henegar. Her house, and the 40 years of genealogical research she accumulated, were completely wiped away. I have deep generational ties to the Sand Mountain region going back well over 150 years, and while I haven't been there, I'll never forget watching the coverage of the super outbreak and wondering why the region where so much of my family resides was forgotten about in a lot of ways. I'm very thankful for videos like this that show just how much this impacted the area and still impacts it now.

[@bethfordham3085]

I had never heard of this tornado. My goodness the damage path was huge. I did not live in Joplin Mo when the 2011 EF5 occurred here but many people lost their lives and you can still see damaged areas.

[@TheSkyGuy77]

12:52 It did WHAT?!? It tore an underground shelter out of the ground?!?!?!?!?!

[@generaldong-dong5635]

yes it did

[@TheSkyGuy77]

What the hell does one do in that sort of situation?????

[@generaldong-dong5635]

@@TheSkyGuy77 hope it gets away before you get taken

[@rastathebanana]

​@@TheSkyGuy77 the only thing left to do is pray

[@commiehunter733]

Incredible suction

[@realc4erent]

i have 13:17

[@MrH.09]

bruh

[@atomic....]

Lemme see~😏

[@SW33T_Dr34M]

Took the tree?! You can’t be serious

[@RDFFEB2024]

it sure did, many other EF5S did too

[@Cleanse_]

Man this video really made me think about how bad that outbreak was. This was ONE of many tornadoes to do things like this that day, absolutely horrifying.

[@paradoxicalpoet1525]

Yeah 4/27/2011 was just AWFUL!

[@tornadotrx]

My thoughts exactly while researching! To think a tornado like THIS could go under the radar is insane, but there were more insane tornadoes to cover that day! Such a mind blowing outbreak.

[@MeesterJ]

This outbreak was def more intense than the 1974 one. Everything was completely maxed out, there is no level beyond this. Had it happened in that year, a lot of the EF4s would have been rated F5.

[@lancecurry7538]

​@@MeesterJ | Hey, don't forget how the 1974 Suoer Outbreak had Xenia, Brandenburg, and Guin... those three F5 tornadoes are considered some of the strongest ever. The Guin Tornado utterly slabbed a massive mobile home factory.

[@Cleanse_]

@@MeesterJ I think this could be debated, the 1974 super outbreak had 30 total violent tornadoes, while this one had 15. Either way both were extremely powerful outbreaks.

[@avoiding-murder9561]

This EF5 had always interested me the most. The amount of videos of the Tornado at different stages as it grew. This one along side Jarell, Alonsa, and Xenia 1974 are the only tornadoes to send chills down my spine.

[@lakeeriesailor2852]

April 10, 1979 Wichita Falls Texas is another one

[@chad3452]

man watch Joplin that will give u chills

[@granddaddykaddy1788]

The Jarrell video I got goosebumps just reading those words in your comment. The one main video of that one is incredible quality for the time it happened 1997 or 98 I believe? But it started so small and to watch it grow into a 265 mph rotation, 1mph forward motion having monster was creepy while also being really fascinating from a severe weather nerd perspective lol. But that one is probably the single worst tornado imo as far as power to devastate anything in it's path. I know Bridge creek was over 300 mph, but Jarrell basically just sat still in one area so long it was just like a huge drill. Crazy

[@paradoxicalpoet1525]

I had never heard of the Alonsa tornado before reading this so thanks.

[@dannyllerenatv8635]

Visually speaking, I would say it's tied with Cullman and Hackleburg for the scariest looking in the outbreak. Funny you mention Xenia because structurally and behavior-wise at times it somewhat resembles the Xenia F5. The Smithville and Philadelphia MS EF5s were extremely violent and gruesome, that much is known. However, structurally, those two tornadoes were photogenic and gorgeous. This was just flat-out nasty-looking.

[@lizzyvac2744]

Can we take a moment to applaud your utilization of sound!? You captured the incredibly bone chilling anxiety with your use of music, bass, reverb, etc. This is an impeccable and exquisite use of audio, beautiful job!

[@RegGuest1]

If it is ripping storm shelters, asphalt, and multistory brick buildings away then I would call it an EF6 cause that was just devastation

[@ChristopherSaindon]

15:58 THAT is one of the most amazing shots I've ever seen. There were some that taken during the Palm Sunday 1965 outbreak with the damage and tornado in the same frame but never with this kind of clarity.

[@braxton-polar]

This tornado was spawned by the devil himself. It’s one of the most forgotten tornadoes from the outbreak despite its EF5 rank.

[@tornadotrx]

Me and my pals call it an "Evil Tornado" a long with a couple others. It looks like its sent straight from hell..

[@leanneadams2549]

Why wouldn’t you get in your car and get the HELL out as soon as you seen thisz

[@MeesterJ]

For me, Hackleburg-Phil Campbell was the demon tornado. It was soooooo long on the ground and only continued to grow and look like a gigantic blob from hell. Not to mention the longest EF4+ damage path in modern history!

[@dannyllerenatv8635]

@TJ89741 I would argue the PC/Hackleburg twister looks more along the lines of the Parkersburg EF5, which is another "finger of god" type twister like May 3rd and PC/Hackleburg.

[@braxton-polar]

@@MeesterJ Phil Campbell-Hackleburg was a demon but the true demon in all cases is the May 31'st 2013 El Reno EF3

[@Itzrainingfrogs]

Thank you so much for making a video about this!! Rainsville has always been looked over because of the other EF5s of that year. It's always been the lurking monster!!

[@lancecurry7538]

​@TJ89741 | "If you see him in a tornado... you are about to die."

[@jmporkbob]

As someone from Dekalb County, it's certainly different from seeing videos of tornado damage when you drive through somewhere you've known your entire life and can't even recognize it.

[@samanthalarson1416]

I grew up in Scottsboro but was living with my Mama in Mentone. I’ll never forget that day as long as I live. I said quite a few prayers that day.

[@bajasummit6209]

9:12 I’m a school bus mechanic and I know just how stout those international school busses is (I can even tell you it has a MAXXFORCE dt under the hood) but that image is terrifying, at least for Colorado ones those busses can handle rock slides landing on the roof, that there is disturbing

[@adriel7229]

Appreciate this comment. I've driven school buses and those things are steel tanks!! It was shocking to see what was left of this one.

[@videorocketzmillar007milla5]

Don't rebuild. Move. Wyoming. If not build a concrete tunnel under yoyr home. Each home and business and schools need underground concrete tunnels for every building. Beds, food, water enough for a week. Poor people.

[@UDontNoMe1]

Yoyr

[@coolcatreal]

Yoyr

[@jb082598]

Yoyr

[@sammy4282]

Yoyr

[@ej_makesvideos]

Yoyr

[@AJafterhourz]

Rainsville, if you’re reading this, you are not forgotten 🙏 we hear you and know what happened. We also know you have rebuilt what was destroyed and are now stronger than ever.

[@epkoda]

for a second there I thought you were talking to the tornado....

[@alexanderglex4600]

​@@epkoda Satan: "You were a powerhouse on that day buddy, I hope you burn in hell 😢"

[@BuffMarioBoi]

​@@epkodasame

[@sergeantguile4571]

Smithville , Philadelphia, phil Campbell and the rainsville tornado were some of the strongest tornadoes in us history and is in a category of its own

[@StylistecS]

How do they compare to Jarrell, Joplin, and Bridecreek?

[@Libzarsupergae]

​@StylistecS nothing compares to bridge creek in 99, as far as wind speed anyway. Then the union city/elreno tornado was the largest in width. Wild that the strongest and biggest took place so close together.

[@ucja668]

@@Libzarsupergae actually, 2011 and 2013 El Reno had similar gusts to 99 Bridge Creek and given radar error of +/- 30 mph they could theoretically have had even stronger gusts.

[@Libzarsupergae]

@@ucja668 could have been, probably were, but it will never be confirmed. My house was leveled by the may 3 1999 tornado, it's a wonder my dog and I survived. That's always going to be the biggest and baddest in my eyes bc I seen it up close lol. Hopefully it's a long time before we see any more like the 5s being mentioned.

[@brad5349]

@@ucja668 elreno wind speed was from a tiny sub vort, main core was only 180mph. Bridgecreek speed was the core speed.

[@draytonblackgrove]

This is one of the best-produced tornado videos I’ve ever watched. I can’t imagine how much time it took to research, find footage, write the script, record the voiceover, and edit it all together. You, sir, have gained a new subscriber. I’m new to this field so I appreciate the easy-to-understand storyline. Does anyone here have any other channel recommendations? I would love to follow more content creators like this guy. Awesome work.

[@MrMandatory1]

I agree! Very well put together!

[@ejthedhampir507]

What’s unbelievable to me is that it did all of that insane damage to the Robinson home whilst moving at a forward speed of 70mph. It was barely over the home for long at all and it still didn’t leave a pebble untouched. Incredible stuff.

[@jeanlawson9133]

I live 12 miles from Rainsville and saw three tornadoes form into that one two in which struck my property the third in front of and took down 54 massive trees like toothpicks was the scariest sound I've ever heard.... watch them combine and Go towards Rainsville Sylvania area....I saw my neighbor's shop explode and the cars also , I still find pieces...They were pieces of tree limbs in the ground a foot It was higher off ground at our residence Broad daylight sun shining and then boom...I could hear the tin from chicken houses and the roaring before I seen it...I yelled hurible cane at the neighbors and they ran inside....I stood at the corner of the house and watched the debris hit my neighbor's shop then stepped around the corner and it formed up in front of my property the suction was hard I held the porch it was pulling me. It neighbor's two sheds and corner of ones roof...I knew it was bad even before I heard reports .. Many died...Sad

[@JohnnyDanger36963]

it kilt my daddy,Rest in peace Daddy Babbalu❤

[@rosanneg2195]

What a story Jean... I hope you’re okay 🙏🏻 I am making short documentaries about tornado survivors and how it affected them. I was wondering if you'd want to share what it was like to be in a tornado and how you are doing afterward?

[@paradoxicalpoet1525]

Glad to see more people talking about Rainsville, I feel it doesn't get enough attention. Edit the parent supercell was one of the most intense ever and all of its tornados are under talked about. Glad to see a video on this supercell. I think the same supercell produced the Ringgold Georgia EF4. I wish that was mentioned, but great video nonetheless.

[@tornadotrx]

I originally mentioned it, but the video felt a big too long so I cut it out. It's crazy how prolific this supercell was.

[@paradoxicalpoet1525]

​@TJ89741Yeah this supercell was INSANE!

[@lancecurry7538]

The Smithville supercell was pretty insane as well... the New Wren "EF3" performed some pretty insane feats of strength, like slabbing several well-constructed homes at EF5 strength and carrying a truck for 1.7 miles (and especially horrible because the truck had a passenger, who was killed). Then the New Wren Tornado dissipated, then recycled into the Smithville Tornado, which was violent from the moment of touchdown and constantly exhibiting intense vortex breakdown as it carved through Smithville, maintaining EF5 strength all throughout the town before exiting, crossing the border, weakening, then reaching EF5 status again in Alabama (though meandering around at EF3 intensity for most of its life).

[@mrbigberd]

The Sand Mountain Plateau forces the winds up and for whatever crazy reason, it massively intensifies storms. This was a storm that was already EF5 capable and then it got a massive powerup when it hit the mountain. Simply incredible.

[@dustin6528]

Great video man. Really fascinated by this tornado. Also, I don’t wanna make fun but the gal at 16:26 sounds just like Granny Clampett. Always gives me a chuckle.

[@whitetipvelociraptor5759]

“God is so amazing!!” Lady, or anyone else, I don’t want to ever hear those words again especially when it comes to disasters.😵‍💫💀

[@djmoch1001]

I can't even begin to imagine living through a devastating tornado outbreak like the 2011 one. An absolute hell on earth. Never heard of this particular tornado, so thank you for educating me on the horror that was the Rainsville EF5.

[@jamessimms415]

Still live in Tuscaloosa, went out back to take pictures. My home was sideswiped by our December 2000 w/some minor damage. Had that one been 100-150 yards closer, it likely would have taken the house. Tuscaloosa had our ‘Forgotten Tornado’ EF-3 10 days before the 27 April 2011 tornado that cause considerable damage. I’ve had several pass w/in 1/2-1/4 mile from my house.

[@peaceonearth351]

You are 100% right. Absolutely Hell on Earth. I'll always be bothered in my head.

[@Religious_man]

Thank you for finally deciding to crawl out from under your rock to feast your eyes on something wonderful for a change, that is, reality, @djmoch1001.

[@larryaldama1673]

And they move back 😔

[@paulharris6143]

I grew up in Birmingham in the 70's and early 80's. I was eleven years old in 1974. I remember that outbreak. I remember being afraid to go to bed that night the weather was so bad. My father who was in the insurance business took us to see some of the damage in north Alabama. An entire town was erased. I think it was Athens. We live in Savannah GA now. We camped in our RV in the Sand Mountain area in 2021. We visited a lot of places while there. The area has recovered very well. If we didnt know a catastrophic tornado had gone through there we couldn't tell ten years later. Those people are very resilient.

[@joshb_1111]

This is indeed the first time I've heard about this tornado. My mouth fell open as you described the sheer extent and severity of the damage.

[@rosie.opossum]

9:30 *tornado is about to destroy multiple towns and kill 25 people* “God is so amazing”

[@ChristopherPortorreal-ol2mj]

He is amazing but mother nature isn't

[@redbaron474]

THAT'S the insanity of religion for you.

[@FluPyr]

@@ChristopherPortorreal-ol2mjwho controls Mother Nature?

[@FluPyr]

@@ChristopherPortorreal-ol2mj so you’re saying God is amazing for creating a tornado that killed and destroyed hundreds of lives?

[@ChristopherPortorreal-ol2mj]

@@FluPyr he's amazing and peaceful but no he would not take lives on purpose

[@robbyt-low4937]

I remember this one. I was in Basic Training April 2011 and the guy who slept next to me was from Alabama and his family's home was completely totaled from the tornado. He was so distraught and out of it. I had to help him get through the week. Super crazy storm.

[@P_RO_]

The news media, as always, focused almost entirely on larger more densely populated areas. Due to the widely destroyed infrastructure, there were few timely reports, pics, and videos emerging from these rural areas. It was as much the lack of communications as the remoteness which biased the media focus. The NWS was overwhelmed with investigating the aftermath and by the time they reached some places debris clean-up had already altered much of the detailed evidence they sought to find. For at least a year afterward, only storm enthusiasts and professionals knew the depth and intensity of the damage here and at other places like Smithville but everyone knew about Joplin and Tuscaloosa. Nothing new for me in this video, but it is by far the best and most comprehensive I've seen on this tornado and is very well done indeed. There are many other photos of the damage from the NWS surveys which were available for viewing online for awhile, but those are now archived and I don't know how to access them. Having seen them showing in detail slabs and foundations of concrete cracked, lifted and heaved, and ripped away leaves no doubt of the power of this tornado being one of the most intense ever known. Smithville in in the same class and also less known among the general public. Another notable but hardly known aspect of this tornado and this outbreak overall is the reluctance of the NWS to assign high windspeeds due to a lack of exact damage criteria being met, even though the contextual damage shows that much higher windspeeds positively did occur than what they've assigned; a trend which continues to this very day leaving a big question of whether any tornado will achieve an EF-5 rating ever again.

[@jaredpatterson1701]

The safe alone and the asphalt situation would've been enough to justify an EF5. I'm with you, it kills me that common sense doesn't apply in the ratings when the context overwhelmingly leaves no doubts, and especially the forward speed!

[@mrbigberd]

The total number of tornadoes in Jackson/DeKalb counties were WAY higher than what the final reports stated. There were all kinds of places where you could see miles-long paths with the tops of trees twisted off, but they were so overwhelmed that they only investigated if there was massive damage or someone died. All the smaller or more remote ones got skipped over.

[@P_RO_]

@@mrbigberd So I've heard, and even all over the outbreak area. When the NWS came through there were still many roads blocked and they admit that they simply couldn't get to everything to evaluate the damage. Officially the 74 outbreak counts as worse, but looking past just the numbers at everything like this everyone knows this outbreak was the worst ever.

[@RobRoss34]

Great video. I lived in Fort Payne at the time. My heart sank when I heard on the radio that a tornado was hitting Rainsville. Went the next day to see the damage and there are no words to describe how it looked.

[@nickwhite2569]

This was an extremely well done video. Despite the lack of attention received by the communities affected by these storms, your video details this tornado in a way that allows us to go back in time and watch every step it took. The amount of research you do must be insane. That picture at 15:52 sent chills through my entire body. Also, your description of the devastation of the Robinson's home was so well written and my jaw truly dropped.

[@lancecurry7538]

A truly chilling event... that photo is the epitome of the definition of "EF5".

[@scotabot7826]

That clueless lady that is videoing, saying "This is the tornado that just passed over her house", always makes me laugh every time I see it. It never got closer to her than a mile. If it had "passed over her house", she, her husband, and her house would be nowhere to be seen, as she sure wouldn't be standing inside her house video taping. I am very glad that it did not "just pass over her house". Because shes still alive, thankfully!

[@JesseLikesWeather]

15:48 That is some of the most disturbing tornado stories I have ever heard.. incredible that the Thompsons survived. Also note that the Rainsville EF5 was the same cell that produced the Ringgold, GA EF4. Perhaps that tornado could use some attention too.

[@annastrother187]

I’m from Rainsville! I was a junior in high school that year. When it got into Rainsville in your video, we lived off of Maple Ave in the culdesac that was shown. We were the only ones not home and the only house that got completely destroyed! Early that morning, the county above us got hit. But for us, that was the MOST BEAUTIFUL day. It was hot, sunny, and EVERYTHING was a vibrant green. We kept laughing that it was a waste that we got out of school that day. My (now husband) is 10 years older than me, his house got hit, my house got it, my in laws house got hit (yes, my husband AND his family at two different residences houses got hit) and my school got hit. I love this video so much. Thank you for sharing!!

[@tornadotrx]

That is both amazing and terrifying to hear you and close family were impacted but survived that day. The second you said Maple Ave, I knew exactly what you were talking about. Thank you so much for sharing and thanks for the kind words.

[@TheHaydenator]

Good video, but one detail that you overlooked and got inaccurate dealt with the lack of warning. Ive run a weather page that covers NW GA and NE AL since 2008, and that day my team and I were chasing the EF4 tornado that’s mentioned that was to the south of this EF5. The warnings coming from the Birmingham and Huntsville NWS Offices that day were absolutely on point. Both offices had a firm grasp on what was going on in their areas despite the mass chaos. Even with KHTX radar down, there is KBMX radar, which that is getting on out in its range, but it was more than apparent on radar that storm was tornadic as it passed over Sand Mtn. I just looked up the radar archive, and though velocity is a little obscured, there’s an absolute donut of a hook echo showing on that storm from 7:14 pm through 7:28 on KBMX radar. That storm would have not gone unwarned because of radar. The big issue with lack of warning to people on Sand Mtn that you missed on was the fact that there was a major power outage going on. If you look in all those videos, it’s dark in everyone’s houses and in the buildings in downtown Rainsville. That was because earlier that morning in the first round of storms, there had been a tornado touchdown near Huntsville that damaged several major TVA power transmission lines and put much of DeKalb County and Sand Mtn in the dark for the entire day. Around Midday when we heard the update about the power outage, everyone immediately became concerned because we knew that left a lot of people in NE AL literally and figuratively in the dark when it came to the major severe weather outbreak that was forecasted across that area in the hours to come. That was the big issue that day with residents on Sand Mountain being able to receive warnings and stay updated on the weather.

[@Britt.13]

You are correct. The power outage blinded us.

[@vickyzimmer527]

Hearing about the storm cellar and seeing videos of people filming from their front porch just gives me goosebumps! Fantastic video! I especially loved the map of the path combined with the destruction. Really amazing visuals.

[@lilacicecream]

how does a twister almost scuk out an underground shelter?

[@lynnchattanooga]

That explains why we found debris from that area sixty miles to seventy miles away in our yard Chattanooga. Books, pictures, metal, papers, bank statements. It was unreal.

[@jacoboleary9076]

That day was my third day at my first job (McDonald's, glamorous) in Southside, AL. One of the tornados passed directly overhead and through my parents' back yard, ripping old oak trees out of the ground and tossing them around. I remember sheltering in the restaurant's freezer -- I would've been really pissed if I'd died at McDonald's.

[@luishernndez8367]

8:04 look no further than that frame and you have horrible set of events. you see the "dead man walking" in a tornado and already it's gonna be a violent storm

[@eldritchyarnbeing3295]

i thought the same thing, i rewound the video because i thought i saw the dead man walking too

[@lancecurry7538]

I love the "Strength" indicator in the bottom left corner, indicating just how the tornado exploded in intensity.

[@TekMan05]

Pause on 13:22 and you can see a deformed skull on the right hand side of the satellite image.

[@roadkillavenger1325]

Pareidolia 😊

[@cooperwilson9021]

Scary 😨

[@pooks2148]

16:33 the tornado was so big. I hope Holly was ok

[@RogerTodger154]

At 10:17 this tornado actually did the “Dead Man Walking” briefly.

[@wolfwood221]

Hi! From the NE AL/GA area and remember getting back from sheltering in an underground portion of the church *thinking we were all in the clear* from reports. Get back home, eat, refresh, grab more supplies, then head back for later storms that were approaching. My parents had gone to check on nearby family leaving myself with both nieces when the alarm sounded from Ider, which was right next door to us. We only felt it as it was dissipating, but the other two E4's that were further North left a grim reminder of that day that we had to look at for the next few years. I don't know if one exists, and I kick myself for not taking one myself, but from the bluff above Trenton, GA and a neighboring Alabama county, you could see the streaks of trees decimated in their wake as they went up the ridge of Lookout Mtn. I'll send a message with a more accurate location. The magnitude of that day was chilling, to say the least.

[@rosanneg2195]

That sounds like a horrible experience. I hope you’re okay 🙏🏻 I am making short documentaries about tornado survivors and how it affected them. I was wondering if you'd want to share what it was like to be in a tornado and how you are doing afterward?

[@MaxOlsonChasing]

Another great video, nice work man!

[@tornadotrx]

Means a lot from you Max! Ty

[@MaxOlsonChasing]

@@tornadotrx The editing and storytelling was next level on this one, you absolutely nailed it!

[@amydavis4945]

I honestly think that had this tornado struck a MORE metropolitan area, it would have been given the first-ever EF6 rating (not counting the BRIEF time that the '74 Xenia, OH tornado was rated F6 and then reduced to F5 by Dr. Ted Fujita). But this (Rainsville) tornado had some of the most "inconceivable" damage that we have seen - damage that really should have been rated "EF6" (IMO).

[@noah._.0409.]

It’s crazy how these tornados can go from so small to an ef5 In seconds

[@ohkaygoplay]

A hidey hole (storm shelter) is supposed to be safe from violent storms. It's terrifying to know that your only, once completely safe place, can be pulled up out of the ground.

[@BenieTheDragon]

Hearing this tornado, was able to RIP A FUCKING STORM SHELTER OUT OF THE GROUND like a giant vacuum cleaner.. Geezus CHRIST, Mother Nature.

[@OayxYT]

Fantastic work Will! Absolutely insane editing and I’m extremely impressed to see how well your map graphics turned out. You were able to do what very few can, which is make map graphics interesting enough to where common people don’t click off within 5 seconds. Again, great job man!

[@tornadotrx]

Means a ton coming from you man! Thanks for the kind words

[@jacizaci_3]

This tornado hit my house in Fyffe Alabama before it went on to Rainsville, my (9year old at the time) son and I were unharmed but our house was severely damaged, the house behind us was wiped from the foundation, scariest experience of our lives. Everyone in our small town knew someone who died that day. Our county will never forget.

[@69Hondachopper78]

Thankfully my sister moved to Fyffe a couple of years after this event.

[@The_Bass_Stunters]

Man I grew up pretty close to Philadelphia MS and lived for 20 years on HWY 19N. I returned to visit after this tornado hit and couldn’t believe the pure devastation that had occurred.

[@dcnascarboy0514]

I have a couple of video suggestions. I live in SW GA, which is known for its fair share of tornadoes the last 25 years or so. Could you possibly cover the January 22, 2017 Albany, GA and March 1, 2007 Americus, GA tornado?

[@badger297]

You have a great voice for this. The writing is great too. +1sub

[@michailas828]

ripping asphalt from the ground, pulverizing concrete foundations, ripping steel objects imbedded into the ground hundreds of yards away, warping cars beyond recognition, and if it were only moving at say 15 mph, it would've ripped a storm shelter from the earth.

[@dannyllerenatv8635]

Very easily. It would've had to maintain its spin and energy, which a fast-forward motion just feeds kinetic energy into it, creating a missile. However, thankfully those people were spared. This tornado, the PC/Hackleburg EF5, the Smithville EF5, the Bridgecreek Moore F5, and the Guin AL F5 are the few tornadoes I hear about actually causing severe damage to foundations or in the case of May 3rd, ripping them out entirely. NWS said this tornado produced some of the most violent damage ever surveyed, and I can see why.

[@jamesmith5960]

The "concrete home" was clearly not built on a slab and didn't have the CMU's filled with concrete or rebar. The Tornado would have only damaged the roof significantly if this was the case. This was no better than stacking bricks.

[@michailas828]

@jamesmith5960 true though, most houses is small towns are not built to withstand powerful weather. a concrete porch slab is usually above ground (i know you said the house didnt have a concrete base). and as explained in the video - "800 pound safe ripped from the ground" doesn't feel impossible, cause ef4s and maybe ef3s are able to pick up cars that weigh way more. sometimes i do feel like some people exaggerate their words but- in some clips of the video it did show multivortex "dead man walking" i would say you're true in your statement.

[@dannyllerenatv8635]

@@michailas828 sometimes it’s also hard to tell without actually being present during surveying as well. One of the things that solidified this twister as an EF5 was the fact that many structures which were very well built and anchored suffered the same type of dramatic damage. When you have more than one instance of that type of damage, it’s easier to determine. Likewise, there’s also the fact that the NWS themselves stated in the damage assessment that this Rainsville EF5 produced some of the most violent damage ever surveyed.

[@jamesmith5960]

@@michailas828 I didn't see what the safe was attached too, sadly these types of videos that play up the storms damage are informing people they need to leave their home or storm shelter and get into a much less safe vehicle and risk it. A modern day tornado shelter is under no threat of "being ripped from the ground". Also it's preventing us from updating our building standards when someone says it "destroyed a concrete building". When it not over a stack of blocks that were not reinforced with rebar or concrete, hell you could stack steel blocks with mordor and it wouldn't do anyone any good.

[@briantaylor8407]

I remember this like it was yesterday. It was massive. Never will forget seeing houses that had been there since I was a small kid gone nothing left but a dirt pad. Trees gone as if a logging company cut em all out. Me and my wife barely missed being in the path of that storm when it came by plainview school and had no idea till we got home and realized how lucky we was. There was debris from rainsville homes found all the way in rising fawn ga and into Tennessee. Tophers restaurant in rainsville has a chunk of wood from a tree that has a piece of metal tin stuck in it. Amazing how strong this Tornado was to put a thin piece of tin thru a tree like a razor blade cutting paper.

[@jimmywellswx]

Amazing video! It's a shame people overlook so many intense-violent tornadoes on 4/27, like New Wren, Barnesville, and Rainsville. Overall, it was just an unfathomable day for tornadoes.

[@kylebieth3678]

" god is so amazing!" He was kind enough to spare me but kill other people! Right....

[@SirkyNL]

god *spawns horrifyingly murderous tornado* human "gOD iS AMaziNG"

[@red_five1542]

Time mark 6:39 - 6:46 "Dead man walking"? Is anyone else seeing it?

[@gggghhhheeee]

I remember seeing the damage in the person. I didn't know that it was an EF5 until the other day

[@LadyPenwolf]

I was in Rainsville/Fort Payne when this hit. It was very terrifying. I was a teenager then. I actually went to school with one who passed away. It was a very tragic time for the community. I went to Plainview High School at the time.

[@tornadotrx]

Wow! Thanks for watching.

[@R3tro..]

Bro we got hit Bru Im from Collinsville we got hit with an ef5

[@mrbigberd]

I was attending college at the time. When classes resumed, one of the students told the Calculus professor that they couldn't turn in their math assignments because it was in the half of their house that was missing aka "The tornado ate my homework". I knew some of the people who died in that outbreak and I think pretty much everyone around at the time did too. It was a very sad time.

[@jaceritchie7043]

That Carmen lady annoyed me so bad. She said “god is good” Becuase it didn’t hit her but she’s not even thinking about the people it did hit.

[@xolyser3432]

Yeah. Am sure you’d say the same here pal. Btw are you saying just because people got hurt and one didn’t that God isn’t good? Or are you just a person with no beliefs in God

[@jerycaryy4342]

God is good. He created life. He created nature. What did you do?

[@_Shake_i]

You have to speak understanding to those who do not know God. Not combative. That wasn’t loving at all. What have they done how about I asked the same to you then you’re the hypocritical.

[@_Shake_i]

Now to the main comment she didn’t even know that it was going through town would be my assumption neither is she supposed to know. God is good and he has a plan trust in it.

[@exlibrisscientia6741]

​@jerycaryy4342 I didn't create something that could possibly snuff out that life that I also created. Cause you know, reasons. Your god makes no sense. Also, not very Christian of you, or your buddy above, instantly jumping on someone, that you assume is a non believer. Didn't you learn to love those who know not?

[@Dr_Kyutoko]

As soon as I heard about it ripping up a trench in the clay I KNEW which tornado this was. That is scary yo.

[@BrianUnderwood-q5u]

I'm from East Central Illinois and remember this tornado. To this day when I hear Rainsville mentioned I think of April 3, 1974.

[@WeatherIQ2007]

Never really hear much about Rainsville. Good to see it getting some attention

[@alechobbs5672]

16:49 "theres a tornado 😮 heading this way"

[@Whyisthishere2]

6:11 it's kind of stuff she just stayed in her house she didn't even try and go farther away from the tornado she just kept recording in her house kind of a dumbass move cuz what if the tornado started going towards the house😂

[@ChristopherPortorreal-ol2mj]

That shouldnt even be called a ef5 at this point it should be called a ef6 theoretically because a tornado that destroys even storm shelters like nothing its crazy like shelter is not even worth it

[@aiphra]

All of the EF5's from this outbreak are different monsters, something like any other tornadoes ever. Rainsville is no exception and honestly is the most forgotten.