Storm determined to be EF-1 tornado hit Alexander, Pulaski counties

Storm surveyors from the National Weather Service began checking on damage from Sunday's storms, and determined that a tornado was on the ground from Alexander into Pulaski County.

The tornado at 6:05 pm began near the Olive Branch community, about 20 miles northwest of Wickliffe. The survey determined it to be an EF-1 with peak winds of 105 miles per hour. It was on the ground for 15 minutes and 18 miles from the Mississippi River to I-57.

Numerous trees were uprooted or had their trunks snapped. A few buildings sustained roof damage. 

Nearby, there was also a very large area of 70-90 mph straight line winds that swept just south of the tornado and eventually overtook it as it moved into the New Grand Chain area. 

More damage consistent with 75-90 mph straight line winds continued sporadically into western Massac County.


Another storm survey team determined that an EF-1 tornado touched down in Missouri about an hour earlier.

The tornado was on the ground for more than 8 miles in Butler and Ripley counties.  

The NWS said the tornado uprooted and snapped some trees, ripped the roof off an outbuilding and caused damage to the roof of a mobile home and shingle damage to another house.

Sporadic straight-line winds of 70 mph to 80 mph occurred just south of the tornado track.