Tornadoes of January 3-4, 2023

Event Summary

NWS meteorologists confirmed a tornado track extending from Old Spring Hill in northern Marengo County to Gallion in southern Hale County. The tornado began along Highway 43 near Old Spring Hill where a cluster of trees were uprooted and a couple snapped. The tornado continued northeastward with an area of maximum damage along Highway 54 where numerous cedar trees were uprooted and snapped. Metal roofing panels were also lofted into trees and downwind. It is this area of damage that pushed the tornado into EF-1 strength. Minimal vegetative damage continued to Highway 80 in Gallion where the tornado dissipated. The tornado vortex was quite narrow along most of its path, but much wider along Highway 54. 

Event Summary

NWS meteorologists confirmed a short-lived EF-1 tornado path along County Road 29, northwest of Marion in Perry County. The tornado vortex quickly developed and dissipated along one of the only residential areas along this stretch of road. A manufactured home was shifted off its block foundation with a large section of roofing material removed from the back side of the home. Two homeowners were present during the time of impact and were tossed onto the floor while having a meal. Thankfully, they were uninjured. Metal panels were lofted into trees either side of the highway. Some trees were also uprooted and snapped in the area. It is possible some additional light timber damage may have continued beyond the end of the estimated path, but the area is inaccessible and radar shows the area of rotation quickly weakening.  

Event Summary

The tornado touched down southwest of Liberty Road in extreme southeastern Bibb County where several large hard and softwood trees where uprooted.  This was mainly in rural and inaccessible wooded and pasture lands.  As the tornado continued northeast, it weakened rapidly but numerous tree debris was noted along County Road 19 and County Road 29.  There was also an additional tree uprooted along County Road 423.​ 

Event Summary

NWS meteorologists confirmed an EF-0 tornado path from Old Kingston along County Road 21 North to Poseys Crossroads along County Road 57 in Autauga County, well northwest of Prattville. A few trees were uprooted and branches broken. A few manufactured homes sustained some damage including a porch being torn off, causing fascia damage as well, and pieces of metal peeled back. A metal parking structure was also tossed downwind.

Event Summary

The tornado touched down just west of County Road 190 on the Chilton County side of Lay Lake. Several dozen trees were snapped or uprooted.  In addition several homes and boat houses sustained roof and siding damage, mainly along County Road 192. The tornado crossed Lay Lake into Coosa County where additional tree damage was noted on County Road 5 and Hidden Valley Dr.

Event Summary

NWS meteorologists have determined via damage survey that damage in northwestern Elmore county was caused by an EF2 tornado. The tornado began in a wooded area near the Autauga/Elmore County line, with snapped tree tops observed west of Highway 143. It continued northeastward and began to intensify as it reached
Coosa River Road and Foreman Road, where multiple trees were uprooted, a barn was damaged, and minor shingle damage occurred to residences. It continued to down trees, damage outbuildings, and remove shingles from homes as it crossed Highway 111 near Chase Drive and Toad Road. More trees were downed along Shady
Nook Drive before it began to cross the Shoal Creek inlet of Lake Jordan. It remained over the lake for a little while but downed trees near the Lightwood Road bridge, some of which fell on residences. The tornado reached its maximum intensity as it reached the northeast side of Lake Jordan. Multiple residences on Circle Drive suffered roof damage with much of the roof removed from one residence. Many trees were snapped and some boathouses
were destroyed. The tornado continued to move along the northeast shore of the lake downing trees, some of which fell on residences, and causing roof damage. Dozens of residences suffered varying levels of damage, but many people received warnings from multiple sources and took shelter. The tornado left the lake, downing some trees along Joe s Fish Camp Road. The tornado became progressively weaker while continuing to down a few trees, eventually dissipating northeast of Titus Road prior to reaching Highway 231.

Event Summary

NWS meteorologists surveyed damage in western Clay County and determined that it was caused by an EF0 tornado. The tornado appeared to begin along the eastern slopes of Horne Mountain in the Talladega National Forest though the exact start point was inaccessible. Most of the timber damage occurred in the National Forest along forest roads, but some trees were also downed along Horns Valley Road and County Roads 7 and 18, with one falling on a barn. A couple more trees were downed along Highway 77 near Antioch Road before the tornado quickly dissipated.

Event Summary

NWS meteorologists surveyed damage in western Randolph County and determined that it was caused by an EF0 tornado. The tornado began just east of the Clay/Randolph County line near County Road 231. Primarily timber damage was observed along County Roads 231, 229, 276, 11, and 113 in the Fuller Crossroad area. The tornado
dissipated after crossing County Road 113.

Event Summary

NWS meteorologists surveyed damage in northern Chambers County and determined that it was caused by an EF0 tornado. The tornado began near County Roads 155 and 158 near the Clackville community. The tornado continued northeastward with primarily timber damage observed across County Roads 235 through 237, 258, and 241. One residence suffered some roof damage along County Road 237. The tornado dissipated prior to reaching the Randolph County line.

Event Summary

The tornado touched down in the Raintree Drive area, near where Elkahatchee Creek empties into the Tallapoosa River. From there it moved northeastward about 3 miles, crossing US Highway 280, before lifting along the western shore of the Tallapoosa River just south of the County Boat Ramp. Most damage along the was sporadic tree damage. However, a cement mixing plant near the intersection of Dadeville Road and US-280 suffered significant roof damage, leading to the EF-1 rating. Special thanks to Tallapoosa County EMA for their assistance with this survey.

Event Summary

NWS meteorologists have determined via damage survey that damage in eastern Montgomery was caused by an EF1 tornado. The tornado began west of Bell Road near Post Oak Lane and Old Creek Road, downing some tree limbs and damaging a carport. It continued east-northeastward, downing trees and causing roof damage along
Eastwood Glen Place. It continued to down trees and damage outbuildings along Thach Road and Kathmoor Drive. While much of the damage along the track was rated EF0, the tornado did briefly intensify to EF1 strength near Meriwether Road and Hollis Drive. Here multiple homes suffered roof damage and a garage was destroyed, and one home suffered significant roof damage. A couple trucks were also moved and possibly rolled. The tornado
weakened as it crossed Taylor Road, downing baseball fences and scoreboards at Buddy Watson Park. Minor roof and tree damage continued along Halcyon Boulevard and Berry Hill Place, dissipating near Parkview Drive. Special thanks to Montgomery County EMA and Montgomery Fire and Rescue for their assistance with this survey.

Event Summary

NWS meteorologists have determined via damage survey that a brief EF0 tornado occurred near Shorter in Macon County. The tornado began in an inaccessible area southwest of Deer Run Trail. It caused minor tree, outbuilding, and fascia damage along Deer Run Trail, also knocking over a couple basketball goals. It quickly dissipated after crossing Deer Run Trail. A brief TDS was observed on MXX radar.

Event Summary

Meteorologists have determined via damage survey that a brief EF0 tornado occurred in the Society Hill community in Macon County. The tornado began in an open field just west of the intersection of US-80 and CR-26 (Red Road) causing very minor damage to trees and a roadside sign. The tornado then moved through a farm just north of the intersection of US-80 and CR-43. While a cotton gin on the farm was destroyed, other surrounding
buildings only had minor roof damage. Just east of the farm, the tornado uprooted a tree which fell into a mobile home. Sporadic very minor tree damage was noted along the reminder of the path. The tornado ended along US-80 just west of the Lee County line. Special thanks to Dana Barker for his assistance with this survey.