Edwards FreeLance Photography

Elmore and Tallapoosa Tornado Damage

The tornado outbreak that hit Alabama on April 27^th will go down in history as the most deadly and destructive day that most have seen or will see in their lifetime. Although the tornadoes that hit Elmore and Tallapoosa counties did not cause the massive loss of life and near complete annihilation of neighborhoods and communities, ten people lost their lives and much destruction did occur.

The tornado that hit the area began to wrap up near the Wetumpka, Alabama airport and by the time it touched down just north of the Santuck area, it was already creating a debris ball on radar.

 
The destruction began at a local garden center and trapped members of the Sides family as their mobile home was destroyed.

 
It then traveled into the Eclectic area, slammed into a mobile home community where several people unfortunately lost their lives. It wasn't finished yet; the path took it towards the Lake Martin area where numerous homes and businesses were destroyed. The smell of pine sap filled the air after the storm snapped and twisted pine trees at the Maxwell/Gunter campground.

 
When it touched down just south of Dadeville, Alabama the homes of the Cain's was severely damaged, while his neighbor's home was completely flattened. B.J. Harper just stared at his project car "This is the worse day of my life, my grandfather's home is destroyed, my project car has been demolished and I can't find my dog!" as the emotions began flow.

 
Patricia Harper's home had the roof lifted off the frame as sixteen people crammed into their home to ride out the storm. Ms. Harper stated that the she covered her 72 year old bedridden father with her body and prayed.

At one time during the evening nearly every major road in the area was impassable due to the fallen trees and power lines that covered the roads.

 Elmore Tallapoosa Tornado Images

Tornado Damage Boone's Chapel Alabama

 

As the sun rose, the devastation became apparent in the small community of Boone’s Chapel in central Alabama. Friday evening at around 11:30pm an estimated EF3 tornado, according to the director of the Alabama National Weather Service, slammed into this small rural community.

The Boone’s Chapel Baptist Church was ripped apart as winds in excess of 140mph, destroying the sanctuary, yet amazing leaving many of the church’s pews in place. Church members gathered together on this bright sunny Saturday morning to begin the cleanup and to gather in prayer for those spared by the storm.

Many stated that they had gone to bed prior to the storms arrival, as an earlier tornado warning for the same area had expired. Joy Simpson a church member stated “We thought the worse was over”,  a few minutes later the tornado touched down.

Two mobile homes in the community were completely destroyed, leading to the death of three members of the Hollon family, father Willard Hollon and his two children. The Hollon’s mobile home had been lifted from its foundation, the twisted metal frame from the body of the mobile home was found near the parking area of church.

Governor Robert Bentley arrived at 12:15pm to inspect and speak to the members of the community stating that he had instructed the EMA office to do whatever it took to assist in their cleanup efforts.

The total loss of life due to the severe weather outbreak on Friday evening led the death of seven individuals.

For more images from Boone's Chapel