EF1 tornado in Coosa County, Alabama

National Weather Service Meteorologists surveyed damage in rural

southwestern Coosa County and determined that the damage was

consistent with a tornado. The tornado began over the Coosa

Wildlife Management area in extreme southwestern Coosa County,

just east of the Coosa River based on satellite imagery.

Unfortunately, that area of the county was not accessible by the

survey crew. The first area of damage that was accessible

occurred just southwest of County Road 15, where numerous trees

were snapped and uprooted. The tornado continued northeast,

crossing CC Camp Road, where weak tree damage was noted. The

tornado intensified as it moved northeast and crossed County Road

29. The most extensive damage was found at this location, where

numerous trees were snapped and a double-wide manufactured home

was destroyed. No anchors were found where the manufactured home

originally stood. Farm outbuildings at the same residence were

also destroyed, along with roof damage to surrounding homes.

Winds were estimated at 110 mph at this location. Although

difficult to access, EF-0 and EF-1 tree damage was noted farther

to the northeast along County Roads 56 and 18. With areas farther

northeast inaccessible and no damage noted along US Highway 231,

the end point was estimated just beyond County Road 18.

A significant severe weather event unfolded across Central Alabama on March 15, with 15 tornadoes, several instances of straight-line wind damage, and isolated flooding. An initial round of storms during the early morning brought reports of large hail in Pickens and Walker counties, followed by an afternoon round with several strong, long-track tornadoes. Of the 15 tornadoes, five were rated EF-2 and two were EF-3. Nine of the 15 tornadoes tracked over 10 miles, with the longest path being an EF-2 tornado that traversed 39.48 miles across Tuscaloosa and Walker counties, striking the town of Sipsey. An EF-3 tornado in Plantersville in Dallas County resulted in two fatalities and two injuries, while an EF-2 tornado in Winterboro in Talladega County had one fatality and one injury. The second EF-3 tornado struck Tallapoosa County, reaching peak intensity in Horseshoe Bend National Military Park. Near the end of the event, an EF-2 tornado moved across southern and eastern parts of Troy, with three injuries being documented.