Two die in long-track Plantersville tornado

Published 2:51 pm Sunday, March 16, 2025

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Plantersville residents along County Road 63 and Lovelady Drive are picking up debris after a violent tornado ripped through the community, causing two deaths.

Sheriff Mike Granthum said first responders were dispatched to the area after the National Weather Service radar picked up a debris signature over Plantersville at 8:56 p.m. Saturday.

Agencies responding included Dallas County Sheriff’s Department, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Autauga County Sheriff’s Department, Selma Police Department and all of the local volunteer fire departments in the area.

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Granthum said he could not identify names of the victims at this time.

An 82-year-old woman died when the tornado struck her trailer on Lovelady Drive. All that was left was a pile of cinder blocks the trailer had been mounted on. Her body was located early Sunday morning several hundred yards from the trailer.

A 70-year-old man was found dead in a metal shop building used off of Lovelady Drive. Several other people in the shop survived the storm’s impact.

A couple of the shop’s occupants were injured. Granthum said they were taken to the hospital and have since been released.

“Everyone is accounted for,” Granthum said. “It’s just total devastation out here. But we have had so many from the community come out here and help out.”

Volunteers from Plantersville Baptist Church distributed plates of food prepared by Valley Grande Mexican Restaurant. The church also served as a drop-off point for donations.

Granthum said the victims are in need of supplies such as food, water toiletries, some clothing and other essential items at this time.

Ebenezer Baptist Church members also said they prepared food for victims and workers at the scene.