EF3 Tornado — Tallapoosa, Alabama

2025-03-15 · near Martin Lake North, Tallapoosa, Alabama

Event narrative

National Weather Service Meteorologists surveyed damage in

Tallapoosa County and determined that the damage was consistent

with a tornado. The tornado quickly touched down near Russell

Ferry Estates, crossing County Road 40 and passing over Midway

Estates Road. Extensive EF-0 tree damage was observed in this

area. Some trees fell on homes, where roof damage was sustained.

As the tornado crossed US Highway 280, minor damage occurred to

some metal buildings of businesses, and numerous trees were

snapped or uprooted. Farther to the northeast, extensive tree

damage was noted on Abbett Drive, with concentrated tree damage

occurring on Camp Ascca Road. A manufactured home sustained roof

and underpinning damage close by, but remained anchored despite

witnesses mentioning that the home almost lifted off the ground.

Just 50 to 75 yards to the west of the home, extensive EF-2 tree

damage was observed. The tornado intensified as it almost

paralleled Rock Springs Road, where a single-wide manufactured

home was destroyed and debris blown 50 to 75 yards away. Winds

were estimated at 120 mph at this location. The most extensive

tornado damage occurred on McBride Loop just off Rock Springs

Road, where countless numbers of large trees were snapped and

uprooted next to a small lake. In this same location, a single-

wide manufactured home was destroyed, with debris from the home

blown 50 to 75 yards to the northeast. Thankfully, the resident

of the home was not present and had decided to stay at a local

community storm shelter the night of the event. Winds were also

estimated at 120 mph in this area. Notably, several other homes

located along McBride Loop were left mostly unscathed, and those

that did sustain damage were due to fallen trees. The tornado

continued northeastward at EF-2 intensity as it crossed over Rock

Springs Road once again, then followed Horseshoe Bend Road to the

Tallapoosa River. From there, the tornado moved across Horseshoe

Bend National Military Park. After contacting the acting Park

Superintendent, valuable information and photos were provided

that indicated extensive EF-2 tree damage on the southwestern and

northeastern side of the park property. Near the battlefield

site, numerous trees were snapped and uprooted, extensively

blocking the Loop Tour Road and causing damage to outbuildings

and an exhibit pavilion. The tree damage on the northeast side of

the park property was very extensive, with countless trees

snapped. Where highest winds occurred, very few trees were left

standing. A wooded area south of County Road 79 and north of the

Tallapoosa River was revisited days later in a follow-up survey

with park employees, with a massive amount of timber damage being

documented. The tornado was at its strongest in this area, and

the tree damage was rated EF-3 / 140 mph based on a 500 to 600 yard

wide area of snapped pines and hardwoods with several debarked.

The tornado continued northeastward crossing County Road

79 multiple times and moving through the Daviston community with

EF-0 and EF-1 tree damage noted along the way. A couple barns or

outbuildings were heavily damaged along County Road 79 as well.

Finally, the tornado moved along Motley Road and Lil Beaver Road

before finally lifting. No damage was found farther northeast

along Cotney Road. The NWS would like to thank Tallapoosa County

EMA and National Park Service employees for their assistance in

conducting this survey and providing additional information.

Wider weather episode

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.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (32.8695, -85.8778)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1233343. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.