The Deadliest EF5 Tornado of the 2011 Super Outbreak: Hackleburg–Phil Campbell

On April 27, 2011, one of the deadliest tornadoes in American history tore through Hackleburg and Phil Campbell, Alabama during the Super Outbreak — the largest and most violent tornado outbreak ever recorded. Rated EF5, this monster storm carved a devastating path over 25 miles long, with winds exceeding 200 mph, obliterating everything in its way. Entire towns were leveled, families were torn apart, and lives were changed forever. The Hackleburg–Phil Campbell EF5 remains a haunting reminder of nature’s unmatched power and the resilience of the communities that endured it. In this video, we break down the science behind this historic tornado, its staggering destruction, and the human stories that define one of the most tragic days in modern weather history.