Public Information Statement
Issued by NWS Birmingham, AL
Issued by NWS Birmingham, AL
045 NOUS44 KBMX 190220 PNSBMX ALZ011>015-017>050-191430- Public Information Statement National Weather Service Birmingham AL 920 PM CDT Tue Mar 18 2025 ...NWS Damage Survey for 03/15/2025 Tornado Event Update #6... .Update...Thirteen tornadoes have been confirmed across Central Alabama: EF3: 1 EF2: 5 EF1: 4 EF0: 3 A survey crew will be visiting Sumter County on Wednesday, and an additional survey may be needed in Tuscaloosa County on Thursday or Friday. .Overview...Severe storms affected much of Central Alabama Saturday afternoon and evening, including tornadoes, damaging straight-line winds, and a few cases of flash flooding. Several tornadoes have been confirmed and damage surveys are ongoing. .Lewiston-Holman Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 90 mph Path Length /statute/: 26.26 miles Path Width /maximum/: 1200 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 03/15/2025 Start Time: 03:08 PM CDT Start Location: 2 SSE Pleasant Ridge / Greene County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 32.9909 / -88.0707 End Date: 03/15/2025 End Time: 03:43 PM CDT End Location: 3 NW Elrod / Tuscaloosa County / AL End Lat/Lon: 33.3007 / -87.821 Survey Summary: National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage associated with a tornado in Greene, Pickens, and Tuscaloosa Counties that began around 3:08 PM on March 15, 2025. The tornado began on the south side of Highway 14 in Greene County, then moved northeastward and crossed County Road 161 near Lewiston. The tornado intensified as it approached County Road 60 where it reached its maximum intensity of 90 miles per hour briefly. Several trees were snapped with a few falling into an older mobile home. The tornado then paralleled County Road 183 northeastward where several trees were seen uprooted or snapped along or just east of the county road. The tornado weakened as it crossed County Road 156 and the Pickens County Line. It continued north-northeastward and re-intensified in a wooded area east of Benvola Road. Numerous snapped trees were observed along an unnamed dirt road. More trees were uprooted or snapped along Lum Fife Road before the tornado eventually crossed Highway 82 near Holman. Several trees were downed along Highway 82 near Minas Road before the tornado weakened on the north side of Highway 82 in Tuscaloosa County and lifted along and just west of Lee Bonner Road where a few more trees were uprooted. .Gordo Tornado... Rating: EF2 Estimated Peak Wind: 115 mph Path Length /statute/: 21.53 miles Path Width /maximum/: 950 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 03/15/2025 Start Time: 04:32 PM CDT Start Location: 1 W Johnston Lake / Pickens County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 33.1499 / -88.0569 End Date: 03/18/2025 End Time: 04:58 PM CDT End Location: 3 SE Lubbub / Pickens County / AL End Lat/Lon: 33.4013 / -87.8401 Survey Summary: National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage associated with a tornado in Pickens County that began around 4:32 PM on March 15, 2025. The tornado began in a wooded area north of County Road 2, then moved northeastward across Houston Windle Road near New Salem Missionary Baptist Church. The tornado began to intensify as it moved northeastward, reaching EF- 1 strength as it crossed Ray Bass Road where numerous snapped trees were observed. The tornado continued to intensify, reaching EF-2 strength with maximum winds around 115 miles per hour as it crossed Ebenezer Church Road. It likely maintained this strength as it continued northeastward, crossing Hwy 86 where widespread tree damage was noted. As the tornado moved into the Bostic Community, it destroyed several chicken houses on Russell Farm Road. One residence on Russell Farm Road sustained significant roof damage, and one manufactured home to the north of Russell Farm Road was lifted and displaced. Auger anchoring systems were pulled from the ground, and the home was severely damaged, but the frame was largely intact. The tornado then crossed Highway 82 on the west side of Gordo. A home sustained substantial damage to the roof along Highway 159 near the intersection of County Road 88. There were also numerous uprooted and snapped trees observed around these locations. The then tracked on the north side of County Road 88, destroying several more chicken houses before weakening as it reached Fair Road where another home sustained partial roof damage. The tornado eventually lifted on the north side of Zion Road. .Allenville Road Tornado... Rating: EF0 Estimated Peak Wind: 80 mph Path Length /statute/: 21.75 miles Path Width /maximum/: 1300 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 03/15/2025 Start Time: 06:39 PM CDT Start Location: 3 E Gallion / Hale County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 32.4962 / -87.6689 End Date: 03/15/2025 End Time: 07:05 PM CDT End Location: 2 S Morgan Springs / Perry County / AL End Lat/Lon: 32.7189 / -87.4183 Survey Summary: The tornado touched down just north of US Hwy 80 west of Allenville Road, producing minor tree damage to numerous cedar trees. The broad, weak but discernible tornado moved northeastward crossing Allenville Road, CR 12, and AL Hwy 25 continuing to cause scattered tree damage. The tornado crossed AL Hwy 61 north of Newbern, and began to turn more to the east. It continued into Perry County, and as it crossed AL Hwy 14 it produced the most significant tree damage of its path, with numerous trees uprooted across the road. The last tree damage of this tornado occurred on Morgan Springs Road, before it moved off to the northeast and dissipated somewhere over Polecat Creek before reaching Walter Boyles Road. .Tornado near Sipsey... A damage survey team found EF-2 tornado damage in the Sipsey community in Walker County. More detailed information should be available on Wednesday or Thursday. .Deer Creek Road Tornado... Rating: EF0 Estimated Peak Wind: 80 mph Path Length /statute/: 7.63 miles Path Width /maximum/: 75 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 03/15/2025 Start Time: 07:39 PM CDT Start Location: 2 NNE Talladega National Forest / Bibb County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 32.9063 / -86.9776 End Date: 03/15/2025 End Time: 07:54 PM CDT End Location: 2 SE Ashby / Bibb County / AL End Lat/Lon: 32.9906 / -86.8946 Survey Summary: National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage associated with a tornado in Eastern Bibb County around 7:39 PM on March 15, 2025. The tornado began on the north side of Highway 82 near the Maud Community. Trees were snapped along Deer Creek Road before continuing northeastward and crossed Antioch Road, County Road 171, and Highway 139. The tornado lifted East of Hwy 139 near the Oakley Community at around 7:54 PM. Maximum winds were estimated to be around 80 miles per hour. .Calera Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 90 mph Path Length /statute/: 7.92 miles Path Width /maximum/: 250 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 03/15/2025 Start Time: 07:57 PM CDT Start Location: 1 N Minooka Park / Chilton County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 33.066 / -86.7608 End Date: 03/15/2025 End Time: 08:11 PM CDT End Location: 2 E Shelby County Airport / Shelby County / AL End Lat/Lon: 33.176 / -86.7472 Survey Summary: The tornado began near the Chilton/Shelby County line in South Calera and moved northward into downtown Calera, where mostly tree damage was noted. There were several mobile homes damaged on 13th Street as the tornado paralleled Highway 31 before crossing Interstate 65, where several campers at a dealership were rolled and/or tossed. Numerous snapped trees were noted at this location as well. The tornado made a left turn over Limestone Parkway and moved north-northwest over a shopping center just east of the intersection of US-31 and AL-70. Thereafter, the tornado moved into the "cone of silence" of the KBMX RADAR near the O`Neal Quarry office, where many trees were snapped and uprooted. A short distance to the north-northwest, the tornado made a sharp right turn to the northeast and dissipated over the quarry as it was swept away by larger-scale rear inflow winds. Maximum winds were estimated to be around 90 miles per hour at both the mobile home neighborhood and the camper dealership. .Lawler Drive Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 90 mph Path Length /statute/: 2.55 miles Path Width /maximum/: 150 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 03/15/2025 Start Time: 08:00 PM CDT Start Location: 2 ESE Montevallo / Shelby County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 33.0875 / -86.8291 End Date: 03/15/2025 End Time: 08:07 PM CDT End Location: 1 SE American Village / Shelby County / AL End Lat/Lon: 33.1225 / -86.817 Survey Summary: National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage associated with a tornado in Southern Shelby County around 8:00 PM on March 15, 2025. The tornado began near Highway 19 and quickly intensified as it crossed Highway 25, reaching a maximum intensity of 90 miles per hour as it crossed Lawler Drive. The tornado continued northward eventually ending along Spring Creek Road around 8:07 PM. .Winterboro EF-2 Tornado... Rating: EF2 Estimated Peak Wind: 120 mph Path Length /statute/: 3.63 miles Path Width /maximum/: 500 yards Fatalities: 1 Injuries: 1 Start Date: 03/15/2025 Start Time: 08:42 PM CDT Start Location: Winterboro / Talladega County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 33.3194 / -86.2005 End Date: 03/15/2025 End Time: 08:49 PM CDT End Location: 3 NNE Winterboro / Talladega County / AL End Lat/Lon: 33.3603 / -86.1623 Survey Summary: National Weather Service Meteorologists surveyed damage in the town of Winterboro and just to the northeast and determined that the damage was consistent with a tornado. The tornado touched down just to the southwest of Winterboro High School, damaging the football press box and surrounding baseball and softball fields. The tornado quickly intensified as it reached the Old Winterboro High School building, lifting a school bus onto the side of the gymnasium. The gymnasium sustained significant damage, with walls mostly collapsed on more than one side. Winds were estimated to be around 120 mph at this location, where wooden power poles were also snapped. Debris from the collapsed gymnasium was blown across State Highway 76 and the old school building also sustained roof damage. The tornado continued to the northeast, where numerous trees were snapped and uprooted and homes sustained damage due to falling trees at the intersection of Highway 76 and 21. As the tornado moved parallel to Bob White Road, it maintained EF-2 intensity along the roadway and destroyed a single-wide manufactured home. The debris from the home was blown westward across Bob White Road. One fatality occurred at this location. Outside of the peak intensity of the tornado, some homes and farm outbuildings sustained roof damage on the far eastern edge of the path on Bob White Road. The tornado continued northeastward, weakening as it crossed Bullocks Ferry Rd and finally lifting just to the northeast of Whiting Rd and Lawler Cir. The tornado totaled 3.63 miles and had an estimated width of 500 yards. .Plantersville Tornado... Rating: EF3 Estimated Peak Wind: 140 mph Path Length /statute/: 24.25 miles Path Width /maximum/: 1000 yards Fatalities: 2 Injuries: 2 Start Date: 03/15/2025 Start Time: 08:50 PM CDT Start Location: 1 NNW Valley Creek Junction / Dallas County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 32.5978 / -86.9374 End Date: 03/15/2025 End Time: 09:20 PM CDT End Location: 1 WSW Clanton / Chilton County / AL End Lat/Lon: 32.8339 / -86.6501 Survey Summary: The tornado formed and intensified quickly about 2 mile south of Plantersville along County Road 63, uprooting swaths of trees right from the start. The tornado traveled northward into Plantersville and intensified to its maximum intensity of a 140 MPH EF3 tornado in the south end of town, where trees across the entire area were uprooted, snapped, and even debarked. Several homes and businesses were destroyed, which unfortunately resulted in 2 fatalities and 2 injuries. The tornado began a more northeasterly trajectory as it left Plantersville, but still remained strong as it crossed into Autauga County. Entire swaths of hardwood trees were uprooted and snapped, and estimates were given the maximum rating possible for tree fall/tree snap at 134 MPH. Had there been other damage indicators impacted, it is quite likely that portions in Autauga would also have been rated at the EF3 level. The tornado continued northeastward into Chilton County. As it approached County Road 64 it broadened out and produced another area of maximum value tree snaps, where acres and acres of pine trees were snapped at 10 to 20 feet above the ground. It next crossed US Hwy 82, where 2 manufactured homes had anchoring system failures and were vaulted and completely destroyed, landing some 200 yards from their original location. All the occupants were sheltered in a concrete shelter and came through the storm physically unscathed. As the tornado crossed Chilton CR 17, a well built brick home had its roof completely removed with some exterior wall failure. Again, the occupant had made the conscious decision to shelter elsewhere with family members in a basement. EF2 level damage occurred as the tornado crossed county roads 15 and 341. As the tornado crossed CR 76, a well built home suffered damage when doors on the main level were blown open, with the force of the breach causing windows in an upper level bedroom to blow out. A double wide manufactured home at the back of the property was vaulted and destroyed. From here, the tornado took a more easterly trajectory and began to gradually weaken, causing mainly tree damage as it crossed south central Chilton County, before dissipating in the West End portion of the city of Clanton. .County Rd 29 Tornado... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 110 mph Path Length /statute/: 12.02 miles Path Width /maximum/: 200 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 03/15/2025 Start Time: 09:33 PM CDT Start Location: 2 NW Dollar / Coosa County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 32.909 / -86.4495 End Date: 03/15/2025 End Time: 09:50 PM CDT End Location: 3 ESE Weogufka / Coosa County / AL End Lat/Lon: 32.9973 / -86.2715 Survey Summary: National Weather Service Meteorologists surveyed damage in rural southwestern Coosa County and determined that the damage was consistent with a tornado. The tornado began over the Coosa Wildlife Management area in extreme southwestern Coosa County, just east of the Coosa River based on satellite imagery. Unfortunately, that area of the county was not accessible by the survey crew. The first area of damage that was accessible occurred just southwest of County Rd 15, where numerous trees were snapped and uprooted. The tornado continued northeast, crossing CC Camp Rd where weak tree damage was noted. The tornado intensified as it moved northeast and crossed County Rd 29. The most extensive damage was found at this location, where numerous trees were snapped and a double-wide manufactured home was destroyed. No anchors were found where the manufactured home originally stood. Farm outbuildings at the same residence were also destroyed, along with roof damage to surrounding homes. Winds were estimated at 110mph at this location. Although difficult to access, EF-0 and EF-1 tree damage was noted farther to the northeast along County Roads 56 and 18. With areas farther northeast inaccessible and no damage noted along US Highway 231, the end point was estimated just beyond County Rd 18. .Rock Creek Rd EF-2 Tornado... Rating: EF2 Estimated Peak Wind: 120 mph Path Length /statute/: 20.43 miles Path Width /maximum/: 800 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 03/15/2025 Start Time: 10:48 PM CDT Start Location: 3 NNW Dare Park / Tallapoosa County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 32.8695 / -85.8778 End Date: 03/15/2025 End Time: 11:12 PM CDT End Location: 1 NNE Daviston / Tallapoosa County / AL End Lat/Lon: 33.0711 / -85.6254 Survey Summary: National Weather Service Meteorologists surveyed damage in Tallapoosa County and determined that the damage was consistent with a tornado. The tornado quickly touched down near Russell Ferry Estates, crossing County Rd 40 and passing over Midway Estates Rd. Extensive EF-0 tree damage was observed in this area. Some trees fell on homes, where roof damage was sustained. As the tornado crossed US Highway 280, minor damage occurred to some metal buildings of businesses, and numerous trees were snapped or uprooted. Farther to the northeast, extensive tree damage was noted on Abbett Dr, with concentrated tree damage occurring on Camp Ascca Rd. A manufactured home sustained roof and underpinning damage close by, but remained anchored despite witnesses mentioning that the home almost lifted off the ground. Just 50 to 75 yards to the west of the home, extensive EF-2 tree damage was observed. The tornado intensified as it almost paralleled Rock Springs Road, where a single-wide manufactured home was destroyed and debris blown 50 to 75 yards away. Winds were estimated at 120 mph at this location. The most extensive tornado damage occurred on McBride Loop just off Rock Springs Road, where countless numbers of large trees were snapped and uprooted next to a small lake. In this same location, a single- wide manufactured home was destroyed, with debris from the home blown 50 to 75 yards to the northeast. Thankfully, the resident of the home was not present and had decided to stay at a local community storm shelter the night of the event. Winds were also estimated at 120 mph in this area. Notably, several other homes located along McBride Loop were left mostly unscathed, and those that did sustain damage were due to fallen trees. The tornado continued northeastward at EF-2 intensity as it crossed over Rock Springs Rd once again, then followed Horseshoe Bend Rd to the Tallapoosa River. The tornado moved across Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, snapping and uprooting countless trees. Unfortunately, the survey crew was unable to access the park at the time of the survey. The tornado continued northeastward crossing County Rd 79 multiple times and moving through the Daviston Community with EF-0 and EF-1 tree damage noted along the way. Finally, the tornado moved along Motley Rd and Lil Beaver Rd before finally lifting. No damage was found farther northeast along Cotney Rd. The NWS would like to thank Tallapoosa County EMA for their assistance in conducting this survey. .Pike County Tornado... Rating: EF2 Estimated Peak Wind: 130 mph Path Length /statute/: 21.29 miles Path Width /maximum/: 1400 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 3 Start Date: 03/15/2025 Start Time: 11:02 PM CDT Start Location: 2 SW Mossy Grove / Pike County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 31.7383 / -85.9805 End Date: 03/15/2025 End Time: 11:28 PM CDT End Location: 1 WSW Perote / Bullock County / AL End Lat/Lon: 31.9491 / -85.723 Survey Summary: The tornado first touched down on Pike County Road 2228 south of Troy and west of AL Hwy 87 where a few branches were broken from several trees in the area. It traveled northeastward crossing Pike County Lake Road and then AL Hwy 87. As it approached Enzor Rd, it caused significant roof damage to the Troy Parks and Recreation building, as well as the softball fields at Troy Sportsplex. The tornado began to strengthen to EF1 strength as it approached US Hwy 231, causing significant tree damage with numerous trees snapped or uprooted, as well as causing significant damage to a service station canopy. It continued to intensify and cause widespread tree damage as it moved up the Walnut Creek. The tornado gained its maximum strength at 130 MPH as it approached Elm Street Road, where one home received major damage and was rendered uninhabitable. Several other homes received indirect damage from tree fall in the area, where barely a single tree was left standing. The tornado remained intense as it crossed Butter and Egg Road, causing widespread tree damage. The tornado veered slightly eastward and moved into banks, where widespread tree damage continued, and a metal building received significant damage as well. Continuing to the northeast, the tornado began to gradually weaken in eastern Pike county, primarily causing more sporadic, less intense tree damage, and minor damage to structures. As the tornado crossed into southern Bullock county, it continued to narrow and weaken until ending at Bullock CR 8 west of Perote. .Snapper Creek Tornado... Rating: EF0 Estimated Peak Wind: 80 mph Path Length /statute/: 3.80 miles Path Width /maximum/: 100 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 03/15/2025 Start Time: 11:59 PM CDT Start Location: 4 SSW Chambers County Lake / Chambers County / AL Start Lat/Lon: 32.7831 / -85.381 End Date: 03/23/2025 End Time: 12:03 AM CDT End Location: 1 S Kellys Crossroads / Chambers County / AL End Lat/Lon: 32.8214 / -85.3355 Survey Summary: The tornado touched down east of Chambers County Road 173 near Snapper Creek in rural western Chambers County. The location is based on radar analysis of a velocity couplet and developing debris signature. The tornado crossed CR 73, where several pine trees were uprooted. It continued northeastward crossing CR 174, where a few pine trees were uprooted. The tornado weakened and dissipated before reaching CR 83. && EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories: EF0.....65 to 85 mph EF1.....86 to 110 mph EF2.....111 to 135 mph EF3.....136 to 165 mph EF4.....166 to 200 mph EF5.....>200 mph NOTE: The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to change pending final review of the events and publication in NWS Storm Data. $$