On the afternoon of April 27, 2011, a large, long-tracked, and powerful multi-vortex tornado moved across north-central Alabama, in the U.S., striking numerous towns along its 47-mile (76 km) track, including Cullman, Fairview, Arab and Ruth.

The tornado then left the Cullman area, moving through Fairview and heavily damaging multiple buildings located in the town.

As the tornado tracked through Morgan and Marshall counties, it struck several smaller villages, including Ruth, where heavy damage was documented.

On the morning of April 27, a strong cold front with several areas of embedded low pressure extended from the Texas Hill Country northeastward towards the Arklatex and the Ozarks, and later into the lower Ohio Valley.

Warm moist air was in place due to strong southerly flow ahead of the front over Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee.

An upper level disturbance sparked a broad area of showers and thunderstorms as it moved across the frontal boundary on the previous evening.

The eastern edge of the line of showers and storms continued to move eastward, in concert with the upper disturbance, reaching the northwest Alabama border around 2:00 a.m.

During the early afternoon hours, the potential for destructive tornadoes was highlighted by the Storm Prediction Center's upgrade to a high risk for severe weather around 1:00 p.m.

[5] This prompted a particularly dangerous situation (PDS) tornado watch, which was issued for northern Alabama and portions of southern Tennessee at 1:45 p.m. CDT.

THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS TO 80 MPH...AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS.The potential for tornadoes ramped up from noon through 9:00 p.m. CDT.

The ABC 33/40 camera captured the destruction of a communications tower belonging to Cullman area low-power television station WCQT-LP as the tornado ripped through the city at EF3 intensity.

Radio stations in downtown Cullman also reported on the tornado and some even captured it passing over until power was knocked out.

Numerous well-built brick buildings and storefronts in downtown Cullman were heavily damaged or completely destroyed as the tornado briefly attained EF4 intensity.

[9] As the tornado left the city limits of Cullman, it struck County Road 506, located directly south of Pleasant View, where EF1 damage was documented.

[9] As the tornado passed east of Ruth, it became violent, destroying a home and leaving a bare, debris-swept slab where it once stood.

Several large trees in the vicinity of the home were ripped out of the ground, and a Jet Pep gas station was completely destroyed.