Tornado Outbreak of March 15, 2025

Event Summary

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 briefly reached its maximum intensity of 90 mph. 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 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 Benevola 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. It lifted along and just west of Lee Bonner Road, where a few more trees were uprooted.

Event Summary

The tornado began along Highway 43 near Smith Landing Road, where a metal building lost part of its roof. The tornado then crossed portions of Lake Tuscaloosa and moved through a residential area along Tierce Patton Road, where several trees were snapped or uprooted. The tornado then continued northeastward, bringing down several trees on Turquoise Lane. The tornado weakened and lifted in a wooded area east of Highway 69 and north of Ben Clements Road around 4:14 PM. Following inspection of post-storm satellite imagery, the maximum wind was estimated to be 95 mph based on tree damage the estimated width of the tornado was increased to 600 yards.

Event Summary

The tornado first touched down just west of CR 69 in the Windham Springs community. Here a few softwood trees sustained damage. The tornado tracked northeast across approximately five miles of inaccessible wooded areas before crossing Goodwater Road. Here large tree branches were broken, a few trees were uprooted, and a small farm building sustained damage. Minor and sporadic tree damage continued across far northeast Tuscaloosa County with uprooted trees along Blackburn Road. The tornado crossed into Walker County with notable damage in the CR 6 / Tutwiler Road area. Here, large trees were uprooted and/or snapped. Several homes sustained roof damage and at least one home had some windows blown out. Additional damage occurred along Bruner Hill Road and Bruner Lane. The tornado then tracked through the Pleasant Field and Bradleytown communities with mainly tree damage. A few power lines were also noted down in these areas. The tornado crossed I-22 with a few trees down along CR 22 on the south side of Cordova. The tornado damage became more pronounced and consistent as it tracked toward the Argo community. Widespread tree damage was noted along Highway 78 with many trees snapped or uprooted. Minor structural damage occurred to a couple of homes along Mathas Creek Road. The residents of these homes mentioned getting the warning and sheltering before the tornado hit.

The tornado began to widen as it crossed the Mulberry Fork and moved into Sipsey. Widespread tree damage was noted in Sipsey, with many trees snapped. Multiple structures in downtown Sipsey also sustained damage. Several homes sustained roof damage with a few having their windows blown out. An anchored mobile home was overturned and destroyed. The tornado was likely at its widest here with a width of approximately 1,000 yards. The tornado then tracked northeast along Campbellville Road and the Sipsey Fork River into the Campbellville community. Large swaths of softwood trees were snapped or uprooted in this area. In addition, several conventional homes sustained notable structural damage. At least three homes had significant roof and siding damage with uplift and partial roof loss. One two-story home here lost a significant portion of the roof, second floor, and back of the home. The family here reported getting the warning and sheltering in their downstairs basement with the pets. A significant number of softwood and hardwood trees were also snapped in this area. Due to this, the maximum rating of EF- 2 /120 mph was estimated in this location. Further north, the tornado began to narrow and slowly wind down with sporadic tree damage noted along Campbellville Road. With the aid of satellite data, it was determined that the tornado lifted just south of the Cullman County line near the Mulberry Fork.

Event Summary

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 mph as it crossed Ebenezer Church Road. It likely maintained this strength as it continued northeastward, crossing Highway 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. However, 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 tornado 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 northeast of Zion Road near the Tuscaloosa County line.

Event Summary

The tornado began in a densely wooded area east of Loon Curl Road within a private hunting camp. It tracked northeast towards County Road 13, crossing through and destroying several pine groves along its path. In the area of most intense damage, a pine grove featured hundreds of snapped trees along a width of roughly 500 yards. The EF2 rating was determined strictly from this area of concentrated tree damage. The tornado began to weaken as it crossed County Road 13 just south of Alamuchee Creek, where multiple softwood trees were uprooted and a few were snapped. It continued northeast where it then crossed a dirt road just east of County Road 13 where it produced sporadic tree damage. The tornado dissipated shortly thereafter.

Event Summary

The tornado touched down just north of US Highway 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 Highway 25, continuing to cause scattered tree damage. The tornado crossed AL Highway 61 north of Newbern, and began to turn more to the east. It continued into Perry County, and as it crossed AL Highway 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.

Event Summary

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 Highway 139 near the Oakley community at around 7:54 PM. Maximum winds were estimated to be around 80 mph.

Event 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/manufactured homes damaged on 13th Street as the tornado paralleled US 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 Highway 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. After speaking with Lhoist quarry officials, no damage was reported at the quarry, and the end of the tornado was placed just to the north of Oak Tree Lane, where a few trees were downed and metal farm buildings sustained minor roof damage. Maximum winds were estimated to be around 90 mph at both the mobile home neighborhood and the camper dealership.

Event Summary

The tornado began near Highway 19 and quickly intensified as it crossed Highway 25, reaching a maximum intensity of 90 mph as it crossed Lawler Drive. Several trees were snapped or uprooted along the path. The tornado continued northward eventually ending along Spring Creek Road around 8:06 PM.

Event Summary

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 Road and finally lifting just to the northeast of Whiting Road and Lawler Circle. The tornado totaled 3.63 miles and had an estimated width of 500 yards. 

Event Summary

The tornado formed and intensified quickly about two miles south of Plantersville along County Road 63, uprooting swaths of trees right from the start. The tornado travelled 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 two fatalities and two 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 Highway 82, where two 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 CR 15 and CR 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.

Event Summary

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 Road 15, where numerous trees were snapped and uprooted. The tornado continued northeast, crossing CC Camp Road, where weak tree damage was noted. The tornado intensified as it moved northeast and crossed County Road 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 110 mph 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 Road 18. 

Event Summary

The tornado quickly touched down near Russell Ferry Estates, crossing County Road 40 and passing over Midway Estates Road. 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 Drive, with concentrated tree damage occurring on Camp Ascca Road. 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 Road once again, then followed Horseshoe Bend Road to the Tallapoosa River. From there, the tornado moved across Horseshoe Bend National Military Park. After contacting the acting Park Superintendent, valuable information and photos were provided that indicated extensive EF-2 tree damage on the southwestern and northeastern side of the park property. Near the battlefield site, numerous trees were snapped and uprooted, extensively blocking the Loop Tour Road and causing damage to outbuildings and an exhibit pavilion. The tree damage on the northeast side of the park property was very extensive, with countless trees snapped. Where highest winds occurred, very few trees were left standing. A wooded area south of County Road 79 and north of the Tallapoosa River was revisited days later in a follow-up survey with park employees, with a massive amount of timber damage being documented. The tornado was at its strongest in this area, and the tree damage was rated EF-3 / 140 mph based on a 500 to 600 yard wide area of snapped pines and hardwoods with several debarked. The tornado continued northeastward crossing County Road 79 multiple times and moving through the Daviston community with EF-0 and EF-1 tree damage noted along the way. A couple barns or outbuildings were heavily damaged along County Road 79 as well. Finally, the tornado moved along Motley Road and Lil Beaver Road before finally lifting. No damage was found farther northeast along Cotney Road. The NWS would like to thank Tallapoosa County EMA and National Park Service employees for their assistance in conducting this survey and providing additional information. 

Event Summary

The tornado first touched down on Pike County Road 2228 south of Troy and west of AL Highway 87, where a few branches were broken from several trees in the area. It travelled northeastward, crossing Pike County Lake Road and then AL Highway 87. As it approached Enzor Road, 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 intensify to EF1 strength as it approached US Highway 231, causing significant tree damage, with numerous trees snapped or uprooted, as well as 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 County Road 8 west of Perote.

Event 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.