An intense atmospheric gravity wave brought a period of high winds to central Alabama late in the evening on April 12, lasting into the early morning hours on April 13.  The gravity wave, which formed on the back edge of a large precipitation area, moved into west central Alabama from Mississippi around 9 pm CDT, moved across the middle of the state, and exited the east central counties by 8 am CDT the next morning. As the wave moved through, it produced a 1 to 2 hour long period of strong winds, with frequent gusts above 30 mph, and peak gusts averaging 40 to 50 mph.  A larger number of trees were blown down than one may usually expect from these wind speeds, since many trees were weakened by a recent drought, and because the gusty winds lasted for up to two hours.  The downed trees caused numerous power outages, and as many as 165,000 customers lost power during the storm.

Strong Wind in TALLADEGA, ALABAMA
From 13-APR-09 02:00:00 to 13-APR-09 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 EG
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Winds estimated around 40 mph blew down numerous trees around the county, including the cities of Childersburg, Sylacauga, and Talladega.  At least one tree landed on a home, and another crushed a car.

Strong Wind in RANDOLPH, ALABAMA
From 13-APR-09 04:30:00 to 13-APR-09 06:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 37.00 MG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A wind gust to 43 mph was recorded at the EMA office.  Several trees were blown down across the county, at least one of which landed on a house.

Strong Wind in CALHOUN, ALABAMA
From 13-APR-09 03:00:00 to 13-APR-09 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 44.00 MG
Property damage: 61.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Winds gusted to 44 mph at the Anniston Airport. Numerous trees were blown down around the county, including the city of Anniston, several of them falling onto homes. A tree fell on an occupied vehicle near Ohatchee, and the driver escaped without injury.  The metal roof of a business in Jacksonville was blown off, and subsequently damaged several cars in a nearby parking lot.

Strong Wind in JEFFERSON, ALABAMA
From 13-APR-09 01:00:00 to 13-APR-09 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 37.00 MG
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Winds gusted to 43 mph at the Birmingham Airport.  A wind gust to 60 mph was measured by sky cam equipment, on top of a high rise building in downtown Birmingham, although surface wind speeds were slightly lower.  Hundreds of trees were blown down countywide, with several of the trees landing on houses.  One tree fell onto a gift shop in Leeds.

Strong Wind in WINSTON, ALABAMA
From 12-APR-09 21:30:00 to 12-APR-09 23:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Wind gusts estimated around 50 mph blew down numerous trees around the county, including the city of Haleyville.  The roof of a mobile home was damaged in Double Springs.

Strong Wind in WALKER, ALABAMA
From 12-APR-09 21:30:00 to 12-APR-09 23:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 45.00 MG
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Wind gusts of 52 mph were measured by a television station's web cam instruments, in Jasper.  Numerous trees were blown down across the county, blocking numerous roadways.  At least 12 homes sustained damage from fallen trees.

Hail in LAMAR, ALABAMA
From 13-APR-09 18:38:00 to 13-APR-09 18:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: MOLLOY
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Strong Wind in FAYETTE, ALABAMA
From 12-APR-09 21:00:00 to 12-APR-09 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 45.00 EG
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Numerous trees were blown down around the county.  Several of the trees landed on homes and vehicles.

High Wind in TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA
From 12-APR-09 22:00:00 to 13-APR-09 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Wind gusts estimated between 50 and 60 mph blew the shingles off of an apartment building in Tuscaloosa.  A wind gust to 58 mph was measured on a television station's web cam instruments.  Numerous trees were blown down around the county.  Several trees fell onto and damaged homes.

Strong Wind in ETOWAH, ALABAMA
From 13-APR-09 02:00:00 to 13-APR-09 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Wind gusts estimated around 40 mph blew down trees in several locations around the county, including the city of Gadsden.  A few fallen trees damaged homes.  The concrete block dugout at a ball field in Glencoe was also damaged.

Strong Wind in LAMAR, ALABAMA
From 12-APR-09 20:00:00 to 12-APR-09 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 240.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Wind gusts estimated around 50 mph blew down numerous trees around the county, including the cities of Vernon and Sulligent.  The wind indirectly caused a two separate vehicle accidents, one with no injuries and with with two injuries (indirect).  Falling trees also caused 3 injuries.  Approximately 8 to 10 homes also sustained damage from fallen trees.

Strong Wind in PICKENS, ALABAMA
From 12-APR-09 20:30:00 to 12-APR-09 22:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Wind gusts estimated around 50 mph blew down numerous trees around the county.  The roof and press box at Gordo High School were damaged.  Several businesses in Gordo sustained roof damage. A few trees fell on and damaged homes.

Strong Wind in BLOUNT, ALABAMA
From 13-APR-09 01:00:00 to 13-APR-09 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Wind gusts estimated around 50 mph blew down numerous trees around the county.  Several of the trees fell onto houses.

Strong Wind in SHELBY, ALABAMA
From 13-APR-09 01:30:00 to 13-APR-09 03:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Wind gusts estimated around 40 mph blew down numerous trees around the county.

Strong Wind in AUTAUGA, ALABAMA
From 13-APR-09 01:30:00 to 13-APR-09 03:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Wind gusts estimated around 40 mph blew down trees in several locations around the county, including near the city of Prattville.

Strong Wind in COOSA, ALABAMA
From 13-APR-09 02:00:00 to 13-APR-09 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Winds estimated around 40 mph blew down several trees across the county.

Strong Wind in TALLAPOOSA, ALABAMA
From 13-APR-09 03:30:00 to 13-APR-09 05:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Winds estimated around 40 mph blew down several trees around the county.

Strong Wind in TALLAPOOSA, ALABAMA
From 13-APR-09 02:00:00 to 13-APR-09 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Winds estimated around 40 mph blew down numerous trees around the county.

Strong Wind in ELMORE, ALABAMA
From 13-APR-09 03:30:00 to 13-APR-09 05:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Winds estimated around 40 mph blew down several trees across the county.

Strong Wind in DALLAS, ALABAMA
From 13-APR-09 01:00:00 to 13-APR-09 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 35.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Wind gusts estimated around 40 mph blew down trees in several locations around the county, including Sardis and Selma.  The sign of a business in Selma also sustained damage.