1984 Montgomery tornado

1984 Montgomery tornado

A tanker truck that was thrown 100 yards off of U.S. 231
Meteorological history
Date	May 3, 1984
F3 tornado
on the Fujita scale
Overall effects
Fatalities	5
Injuries	37
Damage	$2.6-2.7 million (1984 USD)
Areas affected	Montgomery County, Alabama
Part of the Tornadoes of 1984

In the morning hours of May 3, 1984, an intense tornado moved through the Montgomery metropolitan area, located in the U.S. state of Alabama. The tornado, which was rated F3 on the Fujita scale, killed five people and injured 37 others along a 7-mile (11 km) path.

Meteorological synopsis

The National Severe Forecast Center issued a tornado watch for the Montgomery area at 5:30 a.m.^{[note 1]} on May 3.^[1]

Tornado summary

The tornado first touched down at 7:05 a.m., moving along Lower Wetumpka Road and Yarbrough Street as it moved southeast. Three businesses were destroyed along the roads, with four more being damaged. The tornado curved northeast along the Highland Garden,^[2] moving across Interstate 65 and entering a neighborhood.^[3] Damage was extensive on the northern side of town, with a dozen homes being destroyed and others being significantly damaged. The tornado then impacted an intersection on U.S. Route 231, lofting more vehicles and overturning tractor trailers.^[4] An 18-wheeler semi truck was blown over on the highway; the driver reported that the tornado "just about tore my clothes off me".^[5] The majority of fatalities from the tornado occurred at the intersection.^[6] To the northeast a woman was killed in a mobile home that had been set aloft and landed upside down in the Madison Park neighborhood,^[7] being moved 30 yards (27 m) across Fuller Road.^[8]

Aftermath

Monetary damage costs were estimated by Montgomery mayor Emory Folmar at $2.6 million to $2.7 million. Officials with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement used a motel in the city as a shelter for those who were left homeless as a result of the tornado.^[9] 17 victims were taken to the Baptist Medical Center, while 13 others were treated at Jackson Hospital. Injuries due to the tornado were noted as ranging from bruises to serious injuries, including a heart attack.^[5][10] Meteorologist Rich Thomas stated that tornado deaths in Montgomery County are rare.^[11]

Name	Age	Location	Ref.
Patricia Washington	30	Madison Park	[12]
Carl Stevens	N/A	U.S. Route 231	[10]
Lawrence Winn II	N/A		[10]
Donald Causey	N/A		[10]
Judy Causey	N/A		[10]

See also

• Tornadoes in Alabama

Notes and references

Notes

1. Unless stated otherwise, all times in the article are in Central Daylight Time.

References

1. Smith, Mark (May 4, 1984). "Twisters seldom sneak up on Weather Service". The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery, Alabama. p. 8.
2. "Killer tornado slashes across city". The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery, Alabama. May 4, 1984. p. 1.
3. Secrest, David K.; Moss, Michael (May 3, 1984). "7 people killed as twister hits in Montgomery". The Atlanta Journal. Atlanta, Georgia. p. 1.
4. Langford, David (May 4, 1984). "Freeway drivers killed as storms rack Alabama". Detroit Free Press. Detroit, Michigan. p. 28.
5. "Twisters hit 'Bama, Georgia". The Stuart News. May 4, 1984. p. 13.
6. Sikora, Frank (February 10, 1985). "February brings change, plus storm danger". The Birmingham News. Birmingham, Alabama. p. 17.
7. "Storm Data - May 1984" (PDF). United States Department of Commerce. p. 13.
8. Smith, Mark; Funderburk, Linda (May 4, 1984). "Victims count blessings in tornado aftermath". The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery, Alabama. p. 8.
9. Williams, Mike (May 5, 1984). "Shaken city calculates losses while awaiting word on aid". The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery, Alabama. p. 1.
10. Benn, Alvin (May 4, 1984). "Friends remember victims". The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery, Alabama. p. 8.
11. "Meteorologist Rich Thomas Says Tornado Deaths in Montgomery County Are Rare". WAKA. 2022-12-02. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
12. "Montgomery Tornado Kills 6 Persons". Dothan Eagle. Dothan, Alabama. May 3, 1984. p. 1.