EF2 tornado in Chilton County, Alabama

This tornado touched down in central Perry County and tracked through the Talladega National Forest, before crossing into western Chilton County, at County Road 309, south of Alabama Highway 183. The total path length for this tornado was over 39 miles. In Chilton County, the tornado continued to cross the national forest, downing hundreds of trees. The tornado crossed U.S. Highway 82, west of Maplesville and tracked across the northern portion of the city, with winds of 130 MPH. Along U.S. Highway 82, 16 homes sustained significant roof damage. As the tornado tracked just north of downtown, and parallel to Mulberry St, additional homes and several businesses were damaged. In total, approximately 40 homes sustained minor damage, and 36 sustained major damage or were destroyed. In Maplesville, 150 citizens took shelter in a community shelter, which despite having trees fall on it, sustained no significant damage. No injuries occurred. The tornado tracked along Alabama Highway 22, knocking down numerous trees and destroying a business on County Road 266. The tornado crossed County Road 37, damaging 10 manufactured homes, destroying 5 manufactured homes, and causing a nearby radio tower to collapse. The tornado took a noticeable turn to the northeast and moved just south of Lomax. Widespread and intense tree damage resulted in damage to several homes. The tornado weakened rapidly as it crossed U.S. Highway 31 and dissipated east of Friendship Circle, before crossing Alabama Highway 145. Merchantable timber losses estimated by the Alabama Forestry Commission for this track are approximately $1.4M.

An upper level low pressure system developed over the Great Plains and moved east across the Ohio River Valley, dragging a cold front through the lower Mississippi River Valley. As the cold front moved through Arkansas, a squall line formed, producing severe thunderstorms to areas west of Alabama. As the cold front progressed eastward, individual supercells developed in advance of the front and moved through Alabama during the early morning hours on January 23rd. Several long track supercells produced strong, long track tornadoes.