January 23, 2012

2.4 S Heiberger - 2.0 NNW Clanton Gragg Wade Field The supercell which produced the County Road 7 EF-1 tornado in central Perry County quickly generated a second tornado just south of the first tornado path. This tornado tracked through eastern Perry County and through much of Chilton County before dissipating north of Clanton. The total path length for this tornado was over 39 miles. The tornado touched down along County Road 16, east of Alabama Road 175 in Perry County, damaging one home, one manufactured home, and downing numerous trees. It moved northeast, crossing the Cahaba River and into the Talladega National Forest, where thousands of trees were knocked down along the tornado’s path. As the tornado crossed County Road 9, winds strengthen to 125 MPH and the sanctuary of historic Ephesus Church was destroyed as the roof and steeple were partially blown away. The tornado moved along Alabama Highway 183 for approximately 6 miles causing extensive tree damage and destroying several outbuildings. The tornado crossed Mat Moore Road and into Chilton County, at Jim Foundry Road, south of Alabama Highway 183. 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 Street, 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. Start: 32.7159/-87.2748 End: 32.8764/-86.6322

NWS EF Scale: F2 Polygon

Part of 11-tornado outbreak on January 23, 2012