A quasi-linear convective system (QLCS) dropped southward into the Tennessee Valley during the afternoon and evening hours.  The airmass was very unstable, and despite low to moderate low to mid level wind shear, multiple swaths of damaging winds occurred. Within these pockets of winds, a few weak and mostly short-lived tornadoes developed.  The most concentrated wind and tornado damage occurred in portions of Lauderdale, Colbert, and Lawrence Counties including the Shoals region of Florence, Sheffield, Muscle Shoals, Town Creek and Courtland.  Other short-lived tornadoes occurred in Madison, Morgan and Cullman Counties.  Unfortunately, one person was killed by a falling tree near West Point in Cullman County.

Tornado in MADISON, ALABAMA
From 14-JUL-15 17:35:00 to 14-JUL-15 17:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: (HSV)HUNTSVILLE JONE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado developed just southeast of Huntsville International Airport and twisted a metal billboard sing. The tornado proceeded southeast into the River Landing Subdivision, causing damage to several homes. A majority of the damage occurred to roofs and fences. This included missing shingles, and some gutters and siding were peeled back. Other damage to small plastic sheds was noted and large portions of fences were destroyed and lofted into surrounding homes. No damage to trees was noted because this was a fairly new subdivision.

Hail in CULLMAN, ALABAMA
From 14-JUL-15 18:20:00 to 14-JUL-15 18:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: COLD SPGS
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Golf ball sized hail was reported.

Thunderstorm Wind in FRANKLIN, ALABAMA
From 14-JUL-15 17:20:00 to 14-JUL-15 17:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: RUSSELLVILLE
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A few trees were blown down across the eastern portion of Franklin County.

Thunderstorm Wind in MADISON, ALABAMA
From 14-JUL-15 17:20:00 to 14-JUL-15 17:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: MADISON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A tree was downed onto Hughes Road, blocking one lane near the railroad overpass.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAWRENCE, ALABAMA
From 14-JUL-15 17:25:00 to 14-JUL-15 17:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: COURTLAND AIRFIELD
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Measured at the Lawrence County Airport.

Thunderstorm Wind in MADISON, ALABAMA
From 14-JUL-15 17:39:00 to 14-JUL-15 17:39:00 (CST-6)
Location: MADISON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A tree was uprooted.

Thunderstorm Wind in MORGAN, ALABAMA
From 14-JUL-15 17:50:00 to 14-JUL-15 17:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: DECATUR
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous trees and power lines were downed in and around Decatur.

Thunderstorm Wind in MORGAN, ALABAMA
From 14-JUL-15 18:00:00 to 14-JUL-15 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: FALKVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tree was blown onto a home.

Thunderstorm Wind in CULLMAN, ALABAMA
From 14-JUL-15 18:03:00 to 14-JUL-15 18:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: JONES CHAPEL
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A few trees were uprooted in and around Jones Chapel.

Thunderstorm Wind in CULLMAN, ALABAMA
From 14-JUL-15 18:06:00 to 14-JUL-15 18:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: BETHEL
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tree was uprooted, falling onto a male, along County Road 1135.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, ALABAMA
From 14-JUL-15 18:10:00 to 14-JUL-15 18:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: PAINT ROCK
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tree was uprooted along Highway 72.

Thunderstorm Wind in CULLMAN, ALABAMA
From 14-JUL-15 18:16:00 to 14-JUL-15 18:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: VINEMONT
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous trees were uprooted in and around South Vinemont.

Thunderstorm Wind in DEKALB, ALABAMA
From 14-JUL-15 19:15:00 to 14-JUL-15 19:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW HOME
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A few trees were uprooted along County Road 323.

Thunderstorm Wind in DEKALB, ALABAMA
From 14-JUL-15 19:15:00 to 14-JUL-15 19:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: BEATY XRDS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A few trees were uprooted and a few power lines were downed in Ider.

Thunderstorm Wind in COLBERT, ALABAMA
From 14-JUL-15 16:50:00 to 14-JUL-15 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LINE KILN
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Damaging straight lines winds uprooted numerous trees and downed powerlines along a path that began in the extreme northwest portion of Colbert County, near Cherokee, and ended about 6 miles southwest of Tuscumbia.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAWRENCE, ALABAMA
From 14-JUL-15 17:25:00 to 14-JUL-15 17:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: OLD BETHEL
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous trees were uprooted in the central portion of Lawrence County.

Tornado in LAWRENCE, ALABAMA
From 14-JUL-15 17:14:00 to 14-JUL-15 17:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: TOWN CREEK
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado developed along County Road 273 about one mile west of Town Creek downing a telephone pole and several trees. The tornado tracked southeast towards the northwest part of Town Creek removing roof shingles and bending the metal roof off of the Hazelwood High School building. Along Hazelwood Street numerous trees were snapped or uprooted behind the school. The tornado continued southeast towards Factor Street where more snapped and uprooted trees were found. Then, the tornado crossed Highway 101 causing damage to the porch of a residence. Multiple large trees were snapped or uprooted near a bank and a couple of houses along Church and Meredith Streets as the tornado proceeded southeast crossing Highway 20. South of Highway 20, softwood tree tops and hardwood trees were snapped causing damage to a residence near Auburn Street. Additional tree damage was found near the Lawrence County Industrial Air Park and Valley Landing Golf Course where multiple trees were snapped. One large Hardwood tree was uprooted near the Lockheed Martin Facility near Courtland.
The tornado then proceeded southeast and crossed County Road 150 about one mile south of Courtland resulting in multiple hardwood and softwood trees being snapped. It then proceeded toward Highway 33 where several hardwood and softwood trees were snapped and uprooted. The tornado then moved towards County Road 377 about one and one half miles south of Highway 20 where it lifted after snapping the top of one hardwood tree.

Tornado in MORGAN, ALABAMA
From 14-JUL-15 17:48:00 to 14-JUL-15 17:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: BROOKSVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado developed along Bethel Road about two miles south of Priceville. The tornado tracked southeast up a ridge into a residential area along Spring Valley Road and Spring Valley Trail. Wind speeds in the tornado ranged from 60 to 80 mph snapping numerous large tree limbs. At least one tall hardwood tree was partially uprooted while another was fully uprooted although it had a rotted base. A large portion of a tree was toppled onto a home along River Valley Trail causing damage to siding, gutters and the rooftop. The tornado then lifted upon reaching Shoal Creek Road.

Tornado in CULLMAN, ALABAMA
From 14-JUL-15 18:04:00 to 14-JUL-15 18:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: ENON
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado continued its path from Morgan County into Cullman County at Eva Road at County Road 1459 where a tree was snapped at its trunk and where a home lost considerable amounts of siding on the west facing side.

Tornado in COLBERT, ALABAMA
From 14-JUL-15 17:18:00 to 14-JUL-15 17:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: OLD BETHEL
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado touched down in the southeast corner of Colbert County in the LaGrange community. The tornado touched down along Poplar Creek Loop west of County Road 48 (County Line Road). Here, numerous trees were uprooted or had large sections of branches snapped. The tornado continued to move southeast crossing County Line Road. Damage to mainly softwood trees was noted along Wolf Springs Road as the tornado straddled the Bring Crossing into Lawrence County.

Tornado in COLBERT, ALABAMA
From 14-JUL-15 17:00:00 to 14-JUL-15 17:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHEFFIELD
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado touched down along the south riverbank of the Tennessee River in Sheffield. The tornado initially produced substantial tree damage along Alabama Avenue along with minor roof and structural damage to several homes. The tornado then moved southeast uprooting or snapping numerous hardwood trees in the residential neighborhoods of Sheffield. Here many homes were damaged by falling trees or flying debris. Several homeowners said they witnessed seeing a funnel cloud approaching from the north. The most substantial damage was noted along Little Rock Avenue where power poles were snapped or pushed over. Many residents were without power due to the storm.
The tornado narrowed somewhat as it moved southeast toward Tuscumbia. Damage was noted to trees just east of the Helen Keller Hospital complex. Power lines were broken and transmission lines were bent over along Elm Street. A large light tower was completely destroyed at Deshler High School. The tornado continued to produce sporadic damage as it approached Highway 43 rolling over an un-anchored building and producing minor damage at a car dealership. The tornado crossed Highway 72 Alternate with mainly tree damage noted before it apparently lifted along Spring Valley Road.

Tornado in LAWRENCE, ALABAMA
From 14-JUL-15 17:21:00 to 14-JUL-15 17:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOLF SPGS
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado tracked from Colbert County into Lawrence County along the Bring Crossing. The tornado then crossed over Stillhouse Hollow before producing minor tree damage along County Roads 135 and 136.  The tornado then lifted shortly after.

Tornado in MORGAN, ALABAMA
From 14-JUL-15 17:59:00 to 14-JUL-15 18:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: COLE SPGS
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado touched down along County Road 55 near the intersection of Coyote Hollow Drive. The tornado snapped large limbs and knocked down a moderate sized tree onto a home. The tornado skipped a path southeast along County Road 55 atop Cook Gap Mountain. The most concentrated and intense damage incurred by this tornado was located at residences along and adjacent to the intersection of County Road 55 and Union Hill Church Road. A few large trees and limbs were snapped. A few but very large trees were completely uprooted in this general area. Peak wind speeds are estimated to be 90 to 95 mph in these instances. The tornado then skipped along a path a bit more south-southeast crossing Maddox Road snapping large limbs of trees. The tornado then crossed into Cullman County.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAUDERDALE, ALABAMA
From 14-JUL-15 16:45:00 to 14-JUL-15 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: THREET
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A bowing segment within the QLCS moved through the northern portion of Lauderdale county. Damaging wind gusts began to affect areas just north of Cloverdale, knocking a few trees and power lines down. As the storm continued to move to the east/southeast, several more trees were downed. The storm weakened as it neared Killen.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAUDERDALE, ALABAMA
From 14-JUL-15 16:55:00 to 14-JUL-15 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LOVELACE XRDS
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A swath of damaging straight line winds uprooted numerous trees and downed power lines as it moved through Florence.