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Plantersville residents along County Road 63 and Lovelady Drive are picking up debris after a violent EF-3 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.

According to preliminary NWS storm surveys, the tornado was 1,000 yards wide, which is just over one-half of a mile wide, packing winds of 140 mph. The damage occurred began around one mile north-northwest of the intersection of County Roads 63 and 221 and traveled almost northward til it hit Lovelady Drive. There, the storm appeared to intensify and took a right turn, crossing into Autauga County and continuing northwest until it dissipated one mile outside of Clanton.

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. 

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.”

Just south of Lovelady Drive, a number of residents were sheltering in the Elyton Missonary Baptist Church. The tornado sent a tree into the sanctuary, but thankfully, none of the persons sheltering in place were in that part of the building. All of those residents survived, including a number of residents who live in mobile homes.

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. Elyton MB Church is also serving as a drop-off point for donations. Anyone donating there will need to call Sharesha Sneed at 334-327-9475.