User:EF5/Creations

In the midday hours of January 12, 2023, a significant EF2-rated tornado moved through portions of Selma, located in the US state of Alabama. The tornado was part of a larger severe weather outbreak the same day. The tornado injured two people in the Selma area and left 19,000 residents without power in the immediate aftermath of the tornado. In all, the tornado caused an estimated total of damages that totaled in excess of $9 million (2023 USD).

The tornado first touched down at 12:04 p.m. near Orrville, tracking to the east at low intensity. It grew as it neared Selma, crossing the Cahaba River and reaching EF2 intensity as it entered into the city limits of Selma. The tornado inflicted heavy damage to southern portions of the town, damaging or destroying an estimated one-third of Selma and injuring two people. In Selma, the tornado destroyed multiple churches and struck a daycare sheltering seventy children; one child sustained minor injuries and the others were unharmed. The tornado dissipated 27 minutes after touching down, retaining wind speeds estimated to have been as high as 130 miles per hour (210 km/h).