Tornadoes and Flash Flood in Alabama, March 25, 2021

Several trees uprooted with power lines downed.

Dime to quarter size hail.

Golf Ball size hail reported just south of the city of Gardendale.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in eastern northeast Hale County and determined that it was consistent with an EF3 tornado, with maximum winds near 140 mph.

The tornado initially began in a heavily wooded area northeast of Gabriel Creek Rd and tracked northeast. Radar imagery suggests the tornado quickly intensified. Farther downstream, significant timber damage was observed on County Rd 50, as well as National Forest Rd 706. This timber damage was quite impressive and very wide at many points with both hardwood and softwood trees snapped and uprooted. The magnitude of timber damage suggested winds of 140 mph. The tornado continued northeast causing further damage to a large swath of the Talladega National Forest in far northeast Hale County. The tornado crossed into southeast Tuscaloosa County very near the northwest tip of Bibb County.

This tornado originated in Hale County. The tornado crossed into Tuscaloosa County near the intersection with Bibb County. It dissipated quickly with damage confined to uprooted trees.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in northeast Bibb County and determined that it was consistent with an EF2 tornado, with maximum winds near 115 mph.

This tornado touched down formed along Highway 24 west of Highway 5. The tornado tracked northeast, crossing Highway 5 northwest of the community of West Blocton, causing tree and shingle damage. The tornado strengthened to EF2 intensity as it continued northeastward into a wooded area where numerous trees were snapped. The tornado weakened as it crossed into Shelby County south of Shelby County Highway 13, continuing to uproot trees.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in northern Shelby County and determined that it was consistent with an EF3 tornado, with maximum winds near 140 mph.

This tornado originated in Bibb County and crossed into Shelby County along Shades Creek west of River Road. The tornado traveled northeast in a wooded area along the Cahaba River, paralleling County Highway 13. As the tornado moved into Helena, it caused shingle damage to several homes in the neighborhoods near Old Cahaba Parkway and Hillsboro Parkway. A house that was under construction also collapsed. The tornado intensified again as it crossed Buck Creek near Old Town Helena, snapping numerous trees and causing roof damage. A few homes near Cunningham Drive suffered partial roof loss. The tornado weakened as it crossed New Hope Mountain near Pelham High School, but intensified to EF2 intensity along Crosscreek Trail and Wilderness Road in Pelham. Roofs were removed from four homes with collapse of an exterior wall on two of them, with many other homes suffering varying degrees of roof damage. The tornado also caused several trees to fall on homes in the Chandalar neighborhood. The tornado weakened somewhat by the time it crossed Highway 31 but still damaged the roofs of several businesses and mobile homes while uprooting trees. It began to strengthen again after crossing Interstate 65, paralleling Highway 119 through the south side of Indian Springs Village and far northern portions of Oak Mountain State Park. It continued to uproot or snap numerous trees and continued to cause roof damage to residences. Pockets of EF2 damage were found in neighborhoods south of Heardmont Park and near Oak Mountain Elementary and Intermediate Schools, with significant damage to residences from falling trees and partial roof loss. Significant timber damage with some damage to structures was also noted near the lakes at the north gate to Oak Mountain State Park. The most significant structural damage along the path occurred in the Eagle Point neighborhood just before Highway 280. Several homes suffered complete roof loss, a couple homes suffered collapse of exterior walls, and all walls collapsed for one home on Eagle Valley Drive. The majority of the other homes in the path in this neighborhood suffered varying degrees of roof damage, with numerous trees snapped. After crossing Highway 280, the tornado continued to uproot numerous trees as it moved over Oak Mountain. It caused roof damage along Highland View Drive and in the Highland Lakes neighborhood, including complete roof loss to a residence on Grove Park Way. Varying degrees of roof damage also occurred in the Greystone Farms neighborhood, with significant roof loss on several homes. The tornado crossed Dunnavant Valley Road and caused significant timber damage at Shoal Creek Country Club, and complete roof loss for another residence. The tornado then moved into a wooded area as it crossed Double Oak Mountain, continuing to uproot numerous trees. It crossed Highway 25 near Vandiver and then began to parallel Shelby County Highway 43, causing roof damage to residences and completely destroying a manufactured home on Crabapple Lane. The tornado crossed into St. Clair County near Wolf Creek Road.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in southwest Pickens County and determined that it was consistent with an EF1 tornado, with maximum winds near 90 mph.

This tornado originated in Noxubee County, Mississippi and crossed the state line southwest of the intersection of Highway 17 and Highway 32.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in southwest St. Clair County and determined that it was consistent with an EF1 tornado, with maximum winds near 105 mph.

This tornado originated in Bibb County and crossed through Shelby County before entering St. Clair County near Wolf Creek Road. It dissipated shortly after crossing into St. Clair County with damage consisting of uprooted and snapped trees.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in Calhoun County and determined that it was consistent with an EF3 tornado, with maximum winds near 140 mph.

The tornado first touched down on Boiling Springs Road snapping and uprooting trees just north of Mitchellville Road. The tornado widened as it traveled northeast damaging structures along Boiling Springs Road, downing trees and power lines. A double wide mobile home was demolished on Simpson Bend Road. The tornado then produced extensive damage in the Macon community, destroying numerous mobile homes with moderate to major damage to several site built homes. In this area, tree damage was also extensive with numerous hardwoods snapped near the base along Ragan Chapel Road. As the tornado approached Highway 77, it reached its maximum intensity and was likely multi-vortex in nature based on the damage pattern. Here, a large swath of trees were snapped. A large factory, Precision Materials, sustained major damage. The entire structure and supporting frame of this large well built metal building was collapsed and bent inward. The owner said they received the tornado warning and moved all employees into a safe shelter in the interior of the building before the tornado hit. None of the occupants were injured. A large tractor trailer at this location was also partially lofted and then dragged 60 feet. The damage at this location was rated EF-3 . The tornado crossed County Road 77, with damage to several homes along Ragans Chapel Road. At least two homes sustained significant damage with most of their roof removed and windows blown out. A large farm building was also demolished. Ragans Chapel UMC, a structure dating back to the late 1800s, sustained major damage with most walls collapsed. The caretaker’s home behind the church sustained major damage.

Along Mudd Street, several mobile homes were completely destroyed. A fatality occurred in one unanchored tiny home when the structure completely collapsed. Additional site built homes in the area from Mudd Street to Lost Creek Road sustained significant damage. The tornado continued northeast over mainly forested areas snapping and uprooting large swaths of trees. A wide expanse of damage was noted from Dark Hollow Road and Boiling Springs Road. Here many power lines were downed and poles snapped. Several site built homes sustained roof and structural damage, farm buildings and sheds were destroyed, and a mobile home was completely destroyed.

Significant damage was noted along Ingram Wells Road and Grayton Road South. Along Ingram Wells Road several homes were damaged and outbuildings destroyed. Along Grayton Road several mobile homes were destroyed with the undercarriages and contents blown well downstream. A doublewide mobile home also sustained significant damage. Three fatalities occurred here along with multiple significant injuries. A wide swath of tree damage continued along Grayton Road South and Mountain View Road.

The tornado then moved into the Wellington community as it crossed US Highway 431. Here several site built homes sustained moderate damage with partial loss of roof structures. Many power poles were also snapped along with damage to a convenience store. Significant damage was noted along Joe Martin Drive and Wellington Road. One site built home sustained collapse of most walls and cars were tossed. Six occupants sheltered safely in an interior closet. Additional homes sustained roof damage with one moved well off its foundation. Several mobile homes were completely destroyed. One occupant was killed near Mangum Road, but 13 others survived after sheltering in a family storm pit.

A wide swath of damage continued from East Wellington into Pleasant Valley with mobile homes destroyed along Old Sulphur Springs Road and site built homes with roof and structural damage. Trees were snapped and uprooted along County Road 204 along with damage to structures. Chicken houses were destroyed along Pleasant Valley Road, along with substantial damage to a church and business along Angel Drive. The tornado continued northeastward where additional damage was observed along Nisbet Lake Road, Dogwood Lane, and Charlie Penny Road. This was mostly timber damage where the tornado uprooted and snapped hundreds of trees. Varying degrees of minor structure damage was observed here as well. Farther northeast, the tornado moved toward New Liberty and Roy Webb Rd where damage was sustained at Learning Tree. The tornado continued northeast crossing Old Piedmont Gadsden Highway and US Hwy 278. Several swaths of timber damage was observed throughout these areas as well as minor damage to a few homes. The tornado crossed into southern Cherokee County just west of Highway 9.

Flash flooding along Highway 411 and across numerous roadways around the county.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in southern Cherokee County and determined that it was consistent with an EF0 tornado, with maximum winds near 80 mph.

This tornado originated in Calhoun County and crossed into Cherokee County just west of Highway 9. The tornado tracked northeast and crossed Highway 9 and County Road 33. The tornado was in a weakening phase once it crossed into Cherokee County and dissipated just east of County Road 29. Damage consisted mostly of uprooted trees.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in northern Greene County and determined that it was consistent with an EF1 tornado, with maximum winds near 100 mph.

This tornado touched down along County Road 174 and crossed Highway 14 between Clinton and Eutaw. It continued northeastward, snapping numerous trees along County Road 181 and County Road 199. The tornado then weakened with sparse tree damage, dissipating along County Road 218.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in northern Hale County and determined that it was consistent with an EF3 tornado, with maximum winds near 150 mph.

A strong, long-track tornado traveled across Hale, Perry, Bibb, Chilton, and Shelby Counties during the afternoon of March 25, 2021. It is estimated that the tornado had a 98 minute life span, with a path length near 80 miles. It is impossible to know the exact number, but tens of thousands of trees were snapped or uprooted. The volume and extent of snapped trees pushed the rating to EF-3, around 150 mph. Along the tornados path, hundreds of residences were damaged or destroyed, either directly by wind or due to fallen trees.

The tornado began along Highway 17 just south of the town of Sawyerville. The tornado rapidly gained strength and widened as it neared and crossed Highway 14. Across Hale County, a large swath of hardwood and softwood trees were uprooted. Some debarking of trees was observed just south of Highway 14, probably from high velocity debris throwing. Five large transmission towers were downed on the north side of Highway 14. These towers are rated for 120+ mph winds according to representatives from Alabama Power. It is unknown whether this was due to a domino effect or direct blowdown of each tower. Either way, a powerful tornado occurred. Residential damage included wall collapse, roofing torn off, shifting off of foundation, or total structural loss. There were six minor injuries in Hale County.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in northwest Perry County and determined that it was consistent with an EF3 tornado, with maximum winds near 150 mph.

A strong, long-track tornado traveled across Hale, Perry, Bibb, Chilton, and Shelby Counties during the afternoon of March 25, 2021. It is estimated that the tornado had a 98 minute life span, with a path length of 80 miles. The tornado crossed from Hale into Perry County near County Road 51. A mobile home was destroyed with a site built home on the same property sustaining roof loss and some shifting of the crawl space foundation. Structural damage was most apparent in the vicinity of the confluence of County Road 23 and Old Salem Church Road. In this area, mobile homes were destroyed, with one site built home having roof loss and exterior wall failure, with another sustaining roof loss and some warping of the wood framing from wind entry. A nearby church had roof loss with an adjacent metal building sustaining a lot of damage consisting significant peeling of paneling and structure warping from wind entry. Other structural damage occurred along the path as well. The tornado crossed into Bibb County Road just south of County Road 44.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in eastern Jefferson County and determined that it was consistent with an EF1 tornado, with maximum winds near 90 mph.

A tornado touched down near the intersection of 8th Ave South and 85th Street South in the South Eastlake and South Highlands neighborhoods of Birmingham. It traveled northeast into the South Roebuck neighborhood uprooting numerous trees. It made a jog eastward as it crossed the northern end of Ruffner mountain, continuing to uproot and snap numerous trees as it traveled between Highway 11 and Interstate 59 in the Roebuck Plaza neighborhood. The tornado crossed Interstate 459 and dissipated as it reached the Jefferson Memorial Gardens on the southwest side of Trussville. Around forty-two homes were damaged, almost all by uprooted trees.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in southern Bibb County and determined that it was consistent with an EF3 tornado, with maximum winds near 150 mph.

A strong, long-track tornado traveled across Hale, Perry, Bibb, Chilton, and Shelby Counties during the afternoon of March 25, 2021. It is estimated that the tornado had a 98 minute life span, with a path length of 80 miles. The tornado crossed into Bibb County from Perry County just south of County Road 44. There were three primary areas of concentrated structural damage in Bibb County. Along Belcher Road, anchoring to a metal building used for farm equipment failed, sending the structure crashing into an adjacent house. Across the field, a site built home had sections of roof removed and its open face garage blown away, with an adjacent farm building collapsed. In Centreville city limits, snapped trees were prevalent near the Cahaba River. Along Montgomery Road east of town, heavy damage occurred where trees were debarked. Mobile homes were crushed by fallen trees and site built homes had roof damage. In the town of Ashby, along Buzzard Road, several mobile homes were destroyed. Anchoring was not apparent, though at least one of the mobile homes was thrown a fair distance. Site built homes on the same street suffered light to heavy roof damage but were still standing. The tornado crossed into northwest Chilton County just south of County Road 108. There were five minor injuries in Bibb County.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in northwest Chilton County and determined that it was consistent with an EF1 tornado, with maximum winds near 88 mph.

A strong, long-track tornado traveled across Hale, Perry, Bibb, Chilton, and Shelby Counties during the afternoon of March 25, 2021. It is estimated that the tornado had a 98 minute life span, with a path length of 80 miles. The tornado crossed from Bibb County and into northwest Chilton County just south of County Road 108. The tornado traveled northeast crossing County Road 73 and Highway 155 where numerous tress were uprooted and snapped. The tornado crossed into Shelby County near the intersection of County Road 201 and 128.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in southeast Shelby County and determined that it was consistent with an EF1 tornado, with maximum winds near 110 mph. A strong, long-track tornado traveled across Hale, Perry, Bibb, Chilton, and Shelby Counties during the afternoon of March 25, 2021. It is estimated that the tornado had a 98 minute life span, with a path length of 80 miles.

The tornado crossed into Shelby County from Bibb County near the intersection of County Road 201 and 128. The tornado moved into the city of Calera, uprooting trees and blowing over an unanchored mobile home along County Road 67. The tornado then crossed Interstate 65 and moved into a large neighborhood along and northeast of Timberline Drive. The majority of structural damage was confined to loss of shingle and siding. However, at least 3 homes had portions of their roofs removed, 2 of them with significant loss. Next, mostly rural areas were hit between the cities of Columbiana and Calera, south of Highway 70. The last area of notable damage was in Columbiana. Numerous trees were uprooted from Mooney Road to Mardis Ferry Road and numerous homes were heavily damaged by fallen trees. Several mobile homes were impacted near the intersection of Alston Farm Road and Mardis Ferry Road. Most sustained roofing damage or were crushed by fallen trees. One unanchored mobile home was destroyed with 2 injuries that required hospitalization. Other structures were damaged along the path as well. The tornado then quickly weakened, and dissipated as it approached Highway 25 after crossing County Road 7.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in southwest Marengo County and determined that it was consistent with an EF2 tornado, with maximum winds near 115 mph.

The tornado crossed the Tombigbee River from Choctaw County just south of Highway 10. It produced significant damage on South Riverview Lane, just south of Alabama Highway 10. In this area, an older single wide mobile home was destroyed with the frame tossed at least 50 yards to the east. In addition, a large storage building was also destroyed. Significant tree damage was noted in the area with several hardwood and softwoods snapped and uprooted. In this area, the tornado is estimated to have been at low end EF2 intensity with winds around 115 mph. The tornado continued northeast and crossed Highway 10, producing substantial tree damage and also heavily damaging one barn and destroying another. The tornado continued to produce substantial tree damage as it crossed Highway 69. As the tornado moved east of Highway 69, the road network did not allow the survey team to assess the damage over a large forested area. However, damage was noted along Highway 17, north of Beaver Creek Road. It is not known how much farther to the northeast the tornado continued due to no road access, but the tornado did not reach Highway 43.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in southeast Chilton County and determined that it was consistent with an EF2 tornado, with maximum winds near 120 mph.

The tornado first touched down along CR 495, just east of Clanton, with minor tree damage. The tornado traveled east northeast producing mainly minor tree damage and some structural damage as it crossed CR 97. The tornado then tracked across mainly inaccessible forest land before producing notable tree damage along CR 480 before tracking over several homes along Lake Mitchell, south of County Road 472. Most of the homes had minor roof damage or sustained more damage from fallen trees. One home off of County Road 481 had a garage completely collapse. There were also numerous hardwood trees snapped near the pumphouse on County Road 474. Near this point, the tornado reached its maximum intensity. The tornado then crossed Lake Mitchell into Coosa County.

Dime to quarter size hail.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in southwest Coosa County and determined that it was consistent with an EF2 tornado, with maximum winds near 115 mph.

Substantial tree damage, with many hardwood and softwood trees snapped, was noted along Little Airplane Road, CR 121, and Bluff Road. Several houses along Little Airplane Road had roof and structural damage with one right along the lakefront sustaining more substantial damage. A home along Bluff Road appeared to lose much of its roof, top floor, and walls. At this point, the tornado reached its maximum intensity. The tornado continued to travel northeast along the far southern extent of Lake Mitchell producing tree damage and some structural damage along the lakeshore. The tornado weakened notably as it moved east of Lake Mitchell with more minor tree damage noted along CR 29. The tornado snapped some limbs along CR 118 before dissipating just east of Herb Valley Drive.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in rural northern Tallapoosa County and determined it was consistent with an EF1 tornado with maximum winds near 95 mph. The tornado first touched down in a remote area just east of Goldville, starting out very narrow but producing significant areas of uprooted trees and a distinct debris signature as it passed over harvested and unharvested forests. The tornado crossed Simpson Road before passing into Clay County.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in southeast Clay County and determined that it was consistent with an EF2 tornado, with maximum winds near 125 mph.

This tornado originated in Tallapoosa County and crossed into Clay County southwest of Sikesville. As the tornado crossed Hodge Creek Road, it produced extensive timber damage, specifically the snapping and uprooting of large swaths of trees. Some minor structural damage was also noted in this area. The tornado traveled northeast producing extensive tree damage in the Sikesville community where numerous homes here received minor to moderate roof damage. One home sustained major damage with all but one wall collapsed. The tornado nearly paralleled County Line Road as it moved into southwest Randolph County.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in southwest Randolph County and determined that it was consistent with an EF2 tornado, with maximum winds near 125 mph.

This tornado originated in Clay County and crossed into Randolph County just south of Bald Rock Road. All along CR 836, swaths of hardwood trees were either uprooted or snapped. The tornado widened as it approached CR 77. Here the tornado carved a wide path over mainly forested areas with some damage to barns and agricultural buildings. A chicken house on CR 845 was completely destroyed.

Substantial damage was noted in the Corinth community in southwest Randolph county. Along CR 43, a row of homes had minor to moderate damage. Many homes in this area sustained complete loss of roof structure and blown out windows. The Corinth Fire Department was also damaged in this area.

The tornado continued to travel northeast, snapping trees and powerlines along CR 33 and CR 26. Homes in this area also received damage, mostly to roof structures. Homes were damaged along CR 65 just west of US Highway 431. Once the tornado crossed Highway 431, it produced extensive damage to homes and structures along CR 61 and CR 700. Several homes had their roofs removed and trees were snapped near the base. Farther east near CR 59, a 100 year old log cabin was mostly destroyed with only a couple of walls left standing. Tree damage in this area was also extensive.

Additional trees and power lines continued to be snapped along CR 16 and CR 87. A large farm building was destroyed near CR 701 and several chicken houses were also destroyed in this area. The tornado weakened notably east of CR 87 before lifting near CR 296 just west of the Georgia state line.