EF2 tornado in Marengo County, Alabama

This is the first segment of a tornado that originated in Choctaw, Alabama, and crossed into southwest Marengo County. National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed damage in southwest Marengo County and determined that it was consistent with an EF2 tornado, with maximum winds near 125 mph. A corridor of uprooted softwood trees was first observed near the Marengo County line where the trees were toppled across Blue Rock Road. The tornado tracked northeast near the intersection of Highway 69 and County Road 9. This area contained the highest degree and widest swath of damage noted on the survey where the tornado was likely at its strongest. There were considerable and continuous swaths of uprooted hardwood and softwood trees in addition to multiple snapped trunks. A manufactured home on County Road 9 was completely destroyed as the undercarriage rolled at least 30 yards from its foundation. A brick home next door also sustained roof damage not only from the winds, but also from a tree which fell onto the bedroom. The tornado continued northeast where it removed large portions of the roof and exterior walls from a single family residence on Highway 10. Other nearby residences sustained minor damage in addition to tree damage. After the tornado crossed Highway 10, it nearly paralleled Highway 69. Eventually the tornado reached Half Acre Circle where multiple trees were uprooted and a few residences sustained minor damage. On County Road 17, an abandoned and structurally unstable manufactured home was rolled onto its side. At this point, observed damage indicated that the tornado was likely weakening before it eventually lifted in the woods just east of County Road 17.

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.