EF1 tornado in Pickens County, Alabama

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in eastern Pickens County and determined that it was consistent with an EF1 tornado, with maximum winds near 105 mph. The tornado touched down in a wooded area near Snider Road, south of the town of Gordo. It snapped and uprooted trees as it crossed Snider Road, also causing roof damage to a residence and shed. The tornado continued to uproot trees as it began to parallel Benevola Road, blowing off the roof of a barn that was being constructed. It reached its first maximum in intensity as it approached the Kirk community, snapping and uprooting many trees, with at least one falling on a home. It continued to damage sheds and damaged the roof of a manufactured home. The tornado crossed into Tuscaloosa County about six-tenths of a mile south of Highway 82.

A strong storm system approached Central Alabama on the afternoon of March 30th. A line of strong to severe thunderstorms moved west to east across the area during the evening and into the overnight hours. A few discrete supercell storms developed ahead of the main convective line as well. Damage from tornadoes, straight-line winds, and gradient winds ahead of the convective line was reported across numerous counties.

A total of 12 tornadoes occurred across Central Alabama. This included 3 EF2 tornadoes, 7 EF1 tornadoes, and 2 EF0 tornadoes. Widespread, significant tree damage and destruction of some residences occurred along the paths of the most intense tornadoes. There were no fatalities, but 2 injuries were reported in Bibb and Shelby Counties.