The multi-vortex tornado remained on the ground for 36 minutes, carving a path of 36.63 miles (58.95 km) long through DeKalb County, causing 25 deaths, an unspecified yet sizable number of injuries, and an estimated $10+ million in damage.

The day featured multiple rounds of tornadic activity, with two waves of mesoscale convective systems in the morning, followed by an extensive outbreak of supercells from Mississippi to North Carolina during the afternoon and evening hours.

[5] The tornado activity on April 27 was triggered by a 995 mbar (hPa; 29.39 inHg) surface low located over Kentucky and a deep, negatively tilted (aligned northwest to southeast) trough over Arkansas and Louisiana.

A robust southwesterly surface jet intersected these systems at a 60° angle, generating an ageostrophic flow that resulted in storm-relative helicity values exceeding 500 m2/s2.

Moisture from the Gulf of Mexico surged northward across the Deep South, causing daytime high temperatures to reach 77 to 81 °F (25 to 27 °C) and dewpoints to range between 66 and 72 °F (19 to 22 °C).

As it approached Fyffe, the tornado displayed multiple vortices, wavering between thin horizontal sub-vortices and a solidified wedge appearance.

Vehicles were lofted hundreds of yards and mangled beyond recognition, including a school bus that was thrown across a highway, and stripped down to its chassis.

The devastation became especially extreme around a small corridor directly east of downtown Rainsville along Lingerfelt Road, where one exceptionally well-built stone house was utterly obliterated at high-end EF5 strength, the debris widely scattered.

Several roads had their pavement stripped away, and at one residence that suffered EF5 damage, an 800-pound (360 kg) safe was pulled off of its anchorage and thrown over 600 feet (180 m) into a wooded area.

[15] The tornado continued across the eastern fringes of Sylvania, obliterating the Mountain View Baptist Church, pulling up a section of sidewalk, and sweeping away more homes.

Most homes in this area were poorly constructed and completely destroyed; however, large pieces of debris were found close by, suggesting a decrease in intensity.

Congressman Robert Aderholt arrived in DeKalb County within days of the storms to survey the damage with FEMA Deputy Administrator Richard Serino.

[21] In the towns of Fyffe and Rainsville, volunteer groups from local schools, churches, and community organizations joined forces to provide immediate assistance.

The FTC issued their emergency plan to bring service back to areas, as other volunteers focused on removing debris, providing food and shelter, and offering emotional support to those affected.

The American Red Cross set up a disaster relief center in Rainsville at the local high school, offering shelter, food, and counseling to those affected.