EF1 tornado in Shelby County, Alabama

National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in eastern Shelby County and determined that it was consistent with an EF1 tornado, with maximum winds near 110 mph. The tornado touched down within the Chelsea Farms community where numerous softwood tress were snapped and uprooted. It quickly moved northeast crossing County Road 69 near the intersection of Twelve Oak Circle, hitting a power substation and destroying several hundred feet of pasture fencing. Farther downstream, the tornado reached its maximum intensity crossing County Roads 333 and 47, where several outbuildings were destroyed. There was also damage to numerous houses where roofing materials were lifted and sustained heavy damage. As the tornado continued northeast, it crossed County Road 49 where additional hard and softwood trees were snapped and uprooted and a barn lost a majority of its outer walls. The tornado began to lift along Pumpkin Swamp Road where additional hard and softwood trees were uprooted.

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.