Sawmaster
Member
It's been forever since I studied this but I do remember seeing some incredible damage pics here and there which were EF5 IMHO like broken and heaved slabs, larger chunks of structures including concrete sections being blown long distances, and some anchored structures but the vast majority of the path was EF4 and less. This outbreak and this tornado in particular we where I first took a deep dive into EF ratings, DI's, DOD's and the like to try and understand exactly what was what. I spent a huge amount of time going between pics, posted surveys, and the lists used to survey with and I am certain of my own thoughts being correct here.
Looking back a few years later the surveys were inconsistent, sometimes sporadic, and it seems the people doing it were stunned into a stupor or overwhelmed at times doing things too fast. In other words a lot was missed. I am absolutely NOT criticizing anyone for this as the known destruction was massive in the upper Alabama area and that had to be on their minds throughout. Anyone there who didn't have those feelings constantly interrupting their thoughts would not have a shred of humanity left in them. And there were noted instances where clean-up had begun before anyone even arrived on scene to survey.
Given the ever-decreasing resources available I don't think any of the worst tornadoes in this outbreak are worth a deep dive just to change ratings anymore. There's too much other work to do in places where the facts are better documented and would make for a better basis to study intently. There will always be debate with these tornadoes and the best we can do is hope and pray that it never happens again.
