Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Alabama, January 3 to 4, 2023

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in northern Marengo County and determined that it was consistent with an EF1 tornado, with maximum winds near 90 mph. The tornado began just southwest of the intersection of Highway 43 and Osprey Drive where a cluster of trees were uprooted and snapped. The tornado tracked northeastward with an area of maximum damage along Highway 54 where numerous hardwood trees were uprooted and snapped. Metal roofing panels were also lofted into trees. Minimal damage mainly to vegetation occurred along the remainder of the path. The tornado crossed into Hale County about one-half mile west of Highway 69.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in southwest Hale County and determined that it was consistent with an EF0 tornado, with maximum winds near 73 mph. This tornado originated in Marengo County and crossed into southwest Hale County about one-half mile west of Highway 69. A few softwood trees were uprooted near the county line as the tornado tracked northeast and crossed Highway 69. Beyond that, the visible damage was mostly broken tree branches as the tornado crossed Highway 80 and lifted.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in northern Perry County and determined that it was consistent with an EF1 tornado, with maximum winds near 95 mph. This short-lived tornado developed and dissipated quickly near Coretta Scott King Highway. 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. Thankfully, there were no injuries. Metal panels were lofted into trees on either side of the highway and a few trees were uprooted and snapped.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in far southern Bibb County and determined that it was consistent with an EF0 tornado, with maximum winds near 70 mph. The tornado touched down southwest of Liberty Road where several large hard and softwood trees where uprooted. This was mainly in rural and inaccessible wooded and pasture lands. The tornado continued northeast and crossed near the intersection of County Road 19 and County Road 29, where substantial tree debris was noted. The tornado dissipated near County Road 423.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in central Autauga County and determined that it was consistent with an EF0 tornado, with maximum winds near 75 mph. The tornado touched down along County Road 21 about one mile south of County Road 40 where a few softwood trees were uprooted. The tornado tracked northeast and crossed County Road 40, where damage occurred to a few manufactured homes, including a porch being torn off and some pieces of metal peeled back. A metal parking structure was also tossed downwind. The tornado dissipated near the intersection of County Road 57 and Criddle Road.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in eastern Chilton County and determined that it was consistent with an EF1 tornado, with maximum winds near 90 mph. The tornado touched down just west of County Road 190 on the Chilton County side of the Coosa River. Several dozen softwood and hardwood trees were snapped or uprooted. In addition several homes and boat houses sustained roof and siding damage, mainly along County Road 192. The tornado then crossed the Coosa River and into Coosa County.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in far western Coosa County and determined that it was consistent with an EF0 tornado, with maximum winds near 75 mph. This tornado originated in Chilton County just west of the Coosa River and crossed into Coosa County where some tree damage was noted on County Road 5 and Hidden Valley Drive. The tornado dissipated near the intersection of County Road 5 and Pelican Road.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in western Elmore County and determined that it was consistent with an EF2 tornado, with maximum winds near 120 mph. The tornado began in a wooded area near the Autauga/Elmore County line, with snapped tree tops observed west of Highway 143. It tracked northeastward and began to intensify as it reached Coosa River Road and Foreman Road, where multiple hardwood trees were uprooted, a barn was damaged, and minor shingle damage occurred to residences. It continued to uproot trees, damage outbuildings, and remove shingles from homes as it crossed Highway 111 near Chase Drive and Toad Road. More hardwood trees were uprooted along Shady Nook Drive before it began to cross the Shoal Creek inlet of Jordan Lake. It remained over the lake for a little while and uprooted 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 Jordan Lake. Multiple residences on Circle Drive suffered roof damage with much of the roof removed from one residence. Many hardwood trees were snapped and some boathouses were destroyed. The tornado continued to move along the northeast shore of the lake uprooting trees, some of which fell on residences, and caused roof damage. Dozens of residences suffered varying levels of damage. The tornado exited the lake near Joe's Fish Camp Road, where several hardwood trees were uprooted. The tornado became progressively weaker while continuing to uproot a few trees, eventually dissipating northeast of Titus Road prior to reaching Highway 231.

Quarter size hail reported at Broadcast Station WAKA in Montgomery.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in southwest Clay County and determined that it was consistent with an EF0 tornado, with maximum winds near 85 mph. The tornado touched down along the eastern slopes of Horne Mountain in the Talladega National Forest. Most of the timber damage was uprooted softwood trees in the National Forest along forest roads , but there were also some uprooted along Horns Valley Road and County Roads 7 and 18, with one tree falling on a barn. A few more softwood trees were uprooted along Highway 77 near Antioch Road, before the tornado quickly dissipated.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in far western Randolph County and determined that it was consistent with an EF0 tornado, with maximum winds near 80 mph. The tornado touched down just east of the Clay/Randolph County line near County Road 231. Damage consisted of uprooted softwood trees and was observed along County Roads 231, 229, 276, 11, and 113. The tornado dissipated shortly after crossing County Road 113.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in northern Chambers County and determined that it was consistent with an EF0 tornado, with maximum winds near 75 mph. The tornado began near intersection of County Roads 155 and 158. The tornado tracked northeastward with mainly uprooted softwood trees observed along County Roads 235, 237, 258, and 241. One residence suffered some roof damage along County Road 237. The tornado dissipated along Highway 258 just south of the Randolph County line.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in northeast Walker County on Lewis Smith Lake and determined that it was consistent with a microburst event, with maximum winds near 80 mph. Video footage from a lake home confirmed a long-lived wind event. Damage consisted of several uprooted trees along a water inlet between Lake Shore Place and Lone Oak Drive. Other damage included loss of roofing material on one home and damage to several boat houses.

Several locations along Valleydale Road and Cahaba Valley Road impassable due to high water.

Highway 411 in Odenville at the intersection of Old Springville Road flooded and impassable.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in western Tallapoosa County and determined that it was consistent with an EF1 tornado, with maximum winds near 90 mph. The tornado touched down near Raintree Drive, where some trees branches were broken. The tornado tracked northeastward, crossing Highway 280, before lifting along the western shore of the Tallapoosa River just south of the County Boat Ramp. Most damage along the path was sporadic tree damage. However, a cement mixing plant near the intersection of Dadeville Road and Highway 280 suffered significant roof damage, leading to the EF1 rating.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in northern Montgomery County and determined that it was consistent with an EF1 tornado, with maximum winds near 110 mph. The tornado touched down west of Bell Road near Post Oak Lane and Old Creek Road, uprooting a few trees and damaging a carport. It continued east-northeastward, uprooting trees and causing roof damage along Eastwood Glen Place. It continued to uproot 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 of trucks were also moved and possibly rolled. The tornado|weakened once 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 intersection of Parkview Drive and Parkview Court.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in western Macon County and determined that it was consistent with an EF0 tornado, with maximum winds near 70 mph. This brief tornado began in an inaccessible area southwest of Deer Run Trail, in the town of Shorter. It caused minor tree damage and damage to some outbuildings 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.

Quarter size hail reported along I-85 at exit 50.

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in far eastern Macon County and determined that it was consistent with an EF0 tornado, with maximum winds near 75 mph. The tornado touched down in an open field just west of the intersection of Highway 80 and County Road 26, causing minor damage to trees and a roadside sign. The tornado tracked eastward through a farm just north of the intersection of Highway 80 and County Road 43. While a cotton gin on the farm was destroyed, other surrounding buildings had only minor roof damage. Just east of the farm, the tornado uprooted a tree which fell into a mobile home. Sporadic minor tree damage was noted along the reminder of the path. The tornado ended along Highway 80 just west of the Lee County line.