On May 18, 1995, a devastating F4 tornado struck near Huntsville, Alabama, killing one person and causing extensive damage and devastation, including the destruction of the Anderson Hills subdivision. The tornado touched down just northwest of Athens. It tracked from that point through eastern Limestone County, through Harvest, Meridianville, and New Market in northern Madison County, Alabama, and ended near Princeton in northwest Jackson County, Alabama. The strongest portion of the tornado's path was near Harvest in northwest Madison County around the Anderson Hills subdivision and the Huntsville Dragway, lending the tornado its name. The tornado resulted in US$5 million (1995) in property damage. Meteorological synopsis Storm development and track Touchdown The tornado first touched down at 5:33 p.m. approximately three miles northwest of Athens, just east of SR 99. The tornado moved across SR 127, then across Interstate 65 near the interchange with US 31. From there, the tornado strengthened as it continued east, crossing SR 251, where it destroyed 13 mobile homes at the Oakdale Mobile Home Park. At this point of devastation, one person received major injuries from the tornado and died two days later; Chuck Dale, 30 years old, was the one fatality of the tornado. Around this time, a tornado warning was issued for Madison County to give residents on the northwest side of the county an opportunity to take cover; tornado sirens were activated at 5:43 p.m., one minute after the warning was issued. Meanwhile, the tornado began to move slightly north of east, moving across Mooresville Road and crossing through the Copeland community near the intersection of Copeland Road and East Limestone Road. It continued to strengthen as it crossed over Limestone Creek and approached the Madison County line. Overall in Limestone County, 35 buildings were damaged or destroyed, and 26 mobile homes were destroyed. Around 9,500 customers lost electricity in the county, where damage was estimated to be $1.5 million. Madison County The tornado crossed into Madison County around 5:50 p.m. on Love Branch Road, just north of the Yarbrough Road intersection. It continued an east-northeasterly path across Carroll Road, Old Railroad Bed Road, and Wall Triana Highway, crossing just south of Harvest Elementary School. At 5:52 p.m., Madison County Fire dispatch reported that the tornado was on the ground near Harvest. The now violent tornado moved directly into Harvest and crossed Fords Chapel Road before taking a direct hit on the