Alabama, Georgia declare state of emergency as tornadoes turn deadly

Friday, January 13, 2023

At least seven fatalities were confirmed following the severe weather outbreak across the southern United States that prompted Alabama and Georgia to declare a state of emergency. The storms across the South on Thursday churned up a myriad of tornadoes, most of which were concentrated in Alabama where 25 of the 34 preliminary tornado reports from the National Weather Service were recorded.

By Thursday afternoon, the storms had turned deadly. Sheriff David Hill of Autauga County, Alabama, told that at least six fatalities were confirmed in the county in the Old Kingston area. However, officials warn the number could be higher as crews continue search and rescue operations.

A 20-mile tornado track was found to have stretched across the county, starting in the Old Kingston area and moving into the Marbury area, Autauga County Emergency Management Director Ernie Baggett told AccuWeather National Reporter Jillian Angeline.

The first tornado emergency issued for 2023 — and the most recent since Nov. 4, 2022 — was declared for the county Thursday afternoon as the storms rolled in, the NWS warning it was a “life-threatening situation.” Numerous roadways in Joffre and Old Kingston suffered heavy damage, and severe damage was reported along County Road 68 in the area of US-31 near Prospect, Alabama.

Alabama Gov. Ivey Kay declared a state of emergency for six counties, including Autauga County, following the storms. The counties of Chambers, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore and Tallapoosa were also included in the declaration.

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