2023 Selma tornado

{{Main|Tornado outbreak of January 12, 2023#Meteorological synopsis}}

On January 11, the Storm Prediction Center outlined a level 1/Marginal risk across the mid-South valid for the overnight and early morning hours. Although the environment was initially capped, conditions were expected to become more conducive for severe weather given the approach of a mid-level trough and a gradually moistening airmass.{{cite web |date=January 11, 2023 |title=Jan 11, 2023 1630 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook |url=https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2023/day1otlk_20230111_1630.html |access-date=January 12, 2023 |publisher=Storm Prediction Center}} A more substantive threat for organized severe weather evolved on January 12 and the SPC outlined a level 3/Enhanced risk for 30% risk of damaging winds centered along central and eastern Alabama and northwestern portions of Georgia in their 0600 UTC outlook update. Here, numerical weather prediction models indicated the presence of 6.5 C/km mid-level lapse rates and 500-1000 J/kg convective available potential energy (CAPE) values supportive of transient supercells and bowing segments. However, it also depicted only modest low-level moisture. As such, a large 5% risk for at least a conditional threat of brief tornadoes was introduced for most of the lower Tennessee Valley, including portions of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, southern Tennessee, and northwestern South Carolina.{{cite web |author2= |date=January 12, 2023 |title=Jan 12, 2023 0100 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook |url=https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2023/day1otlk_20230112_1200.html |access-date=January 12, 2023 |publisher=Storm Prediction Center}}

As the day advanced, a more focused corridor for enhanced tornado potential became evident across central Alabama and northwestern Georgia, where effective storm-relative helicity – a measure of the potential for updrafts in supercells – topped 300 m²/s² and CAPE values rose into the 1,000–1,500 J/kg range. The SPC upped the threat for tornadoes to 10% in their 1300 UTC outlook as a result, although the possibility for strong tornadoes, above EF2 intensity, was not included in this outlook as damaging winds were still seen as the primary hazard.{{cite web |date=January 12, 2023 |title=Jan 12, 2023 1300 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook |url=https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2023/day1otlk_20230112_1300.html |access-date=January 12, 2023 |publisher=Storm Prediction Center}}

The tornado first touched just northeast of Orrville near the intersection of SR 22 and County Road 999 at 12:04 p.m. CST (18:04 UTC).{{Cite DAT|event_id=Selma Tornado|sourcing=starting point of the tornado|accessdate=February 5, 2025|event_date=January 12, 2023|event_start=1:20 PM|event_end=3:59 PM|lat=32.32|lon=-87.23}}{{Cite web |date=2023-01-19 |title=A Tornado Scars Selma |url=https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/150857/a-tornado-scars-selma |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=NASA Earth Observatory |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Palmer |first=Dennis |date=2023-01-15 |title=UPDATE: NWS releases statistics on Selma tornado |url=https://www.selmatimesjournal.com/2023/01/15/update-nws-releases-statistics-on-selma-tornado/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Selma Times‑Journal |language=en}} As it moved northeastward along SR 22,{{Cite web |last=Morgan |first=Leigh |date=2023-01-14 |title=Alabama tornado count continues to rise after Thursday severe weather |url=https://www.al.com/news/2023/01/tornado-count-continues-to-rise-after-thursday-severe-weather.html |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=AL |language=en}} the tornado damaged several mobile homes and pushed them off their foundations. A frame home sustained minor damage in this area. Damage along this initial path segment was rated EF1. The tornado retained EF1 intensity as it moved across SR 22 north of Beloit. A church had its steeple and part of its roof blown off and homes sustained roof damage.{{Cite web |title=Damage Assessment Toolkit |url=https://apps.dat.noaa.gov/stormdamage/damageviewer/ |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=NOAA}} After causing additional tree damage along SR 22, the tornado rapidly intensified just before it crossed the Cahaba River and began approaching the southwestern city limits of Selma. Many large hardwood and softwood trees were snapped at EF2 intensity in this area. The now strong tornado then crossed SR 219 as it entered the southwest side of Selma, causing significant damage along Old Orville Road.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-19 |title=Selma devastated by EF-2 tornado |url=https://www.troymessenger.com/2023/01/19/selma-devastated-by-ef-2-tornado/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Troy Messenger |language=en}} Multiple houses were heavily damaged and had their roofs torn off along this corridor, and a few lost some of their exterior walls.

[[File:2023 Selma tornado path in Selma.png|thumb|Track and intensity map of the tornado through downtown Selma.{{NoteTag|The triangles indicate the degree of damage at a specific location.}}{{divhide|Key}}

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{{color box|#7ef4d4}} EF0 65–85 mph

{{color box|#acfb82}} EF1 86–110 mph

{{color box|#f5f57b}} EF2 111–135 mph

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Reaching high-end EF2 strength,{{Cite DAT|event_id=Selma Tornado|sourcing=damage intensity of the tornado over Cooper Drive|accessdate=February 5, 2025|event_date=January 12, 2023|event_start=1:20 PM|event_end=3:59 PM|lat=32.42|lon=-87.02}}{{Cite web |date=2023-01-13 |title=Child among several people killed as strong winds and tornadoes hammer South |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/south-storm-system-tornadoes-six-year-old-girl-among-several-dead/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=CBS News |language=en-US}} the tornado struck the Crosspoint Christian Daycare along Cooper Drive,{{Cite web |last=Halbrooks |first=Glenn |date=2023-01-16 |title=NWS: Dallas County Tornado on the Ground for 22 Miles |url=https://www.waka.com/2023/01/16/nws-dallas-county-tornado-on-the-ground-for-22-miles/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=WAKA 8 |language=en-US}} which sustained collapse of its roof and several brick exterior walls. At the time, 70 children were inside the daycare along with staff workers. One baby suffered a minor cut from the tornado, with no other injuries occurring at that location.{{Cite web |last=Bowerman |first=Ashley |date=2023-01-14 |title=70 children survive preschool's destruction by Selma tornado |url=https://www.wsfa.com/2023/01/14/70-children-survive-preschools-destruction-by-selma-tornado/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=WSFA |language=en}} The nearby Crosspoint Christian Church had a substantial amount of metal roofing torn off and scattered.{{Cite web |last=Brinkmann |first=Heather |date=2023-01-12 |title='Worst day of my life': Tornado destroys Selma daycare, trapping dozens of children inside |url=https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news/tornado-destroys-selma-daycare |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=FOX Weather |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Poitevint |first=Bobby |date=2023-01-16 |title=70 children and church staff survive preschool damaged by Selma tornado |url=https://abc3340.com/news/local/70-children-and-church-staff-survive-preschool-damaged-during-thursdays-tornado-bobby-poitevint-dallas-selma |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=WBMA |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Chandler |first=Kim |date=2023-01-16 |title=In tornado-ravaged Selma, prayers of thanks on eve of Martin Luther King Jr. Day |url=https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2023-01-16/tornado-ravaged-selma-prayers-martin-luther-king |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}} EF2 damage continued beyond this point as the tornado moved northeastward along West Dallas Avenue, inflicting significant structural damage to homes. An ophthalmologist's office near Office Park Circle was severely damaged and had much of its roof torn off.

Further to the northeast, high-end EF2 damage occurred at the Selma Country Club,{{Cite web |last=Dunaway |first=Shane |date=2023-01-12 |title=Gallery: Selma Country Club heavily damaged following Thursday tornado |url=https://www.selmatimesjournal.com/2023/01/12/gallery-selma-country-club-heavily-damaged-following-thursday-tornado/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Selma Times‑Journal |language=en}}{{Cite web |last1=Mealins |first1=Evan |last2=Roney |first2=Marty |last3=Gladden |first3=Alex |title=TIMELINE: Seven dead after tornado hits Kingston community in Autauga County |url=https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/local/2023/01/12/national-weather-service-montgomery-under-tornado-watch/69802582007/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Montgomery Advertiser |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Carla |date=2023-04-17 |title=Alabama Power workers restored power in Selma amid own troubles |url=https://alabamanewscenter.com/2023/04/17/alabama-power-workers-restored-power-in-selma-amid-own-troubles/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Alabama News Center |language=en-US}} where the clubhouse building suffered major damage to its roof and exterior walls, and a few other buildings on the property also had extensive damage. Maintaining high-end EF2 intensity, the tornado then struck the northern part of downtown Selma. Damage here mainly consisted of numerous of trees being snapped or uprooted, some of which fell on homes, and many homes and other buildings that had their roofs and some exterior walls removed. A couple of older residences that were built on brick-piling foundations collapsed, cars were overturned, signs were destroyed, and numerous power poles were snapped.

The historic Reformed Presbyterian Church was badly damaged, and its adjacent church school was almost completely destroyed.{{Cite web |last=Fisher |first=Cindy |date=2023-01-15 |title=Tornado destroys one of Selma's oldest churches |url=https://selmasun.com/news/tornado-destroys-one-of-selmas-oldest-churches/article_4a52f92c-94e1-11ed-9e94-5fc6717c3b25.html |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Selma Sun |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=James |date=2023-01-19 |title=Historic church a total loss from tornado, but elders commit to rebuild and restore |url=https://www.selmatimesjournal.com/2023/01/19/324558/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Selma Times‑Journal |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=McDonald |first=George |date=2023-10-31 |title=SAVING SELMA: Downtown church repair projects underway |url=https://www.waka.com/2023/10/31/saving-selma-downtown-church-repair-projects-underway/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=WAKA 8 |language=en-US}} As the tornado crossed over Broad St (US 80/SR 22),{{Cite web |title=Tornado Damage in Selma, AL |url=https://www.al.com/galleries/KEIVDLVFWJF4TNP6VLLJZZCMB4/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=AL |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Halbrooks |first=Glenn |date=2023-01-13 |title=PHOTOS: More Images of the Selma Tornado Damage |url=https://www.waka.com/2023/01/12/photos-more-images-of-the-selma-tornado-damage/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=WAKA 8 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2023-01-13 |title=Selma residents seek recovery from catastrophic tornado damage |url=https://www.cbs42.com/alabama-news/selma-residents-seek-recovery-from-catastrophic-tornado-damage/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=CBS 42 |language=en-US}} a strip mall had much of its roof torn off and a nearby metal warehouse building sustained major damage, with metal framing being twisted and failure of X-braces observed. Apartment buildings were badly damaged and debris from structures was strewn across streets, or left tangled in power lines or wrapped around trees. Past the downtown area, the tornado weakened slightly to mid-range EF2 strength as it crossed Marie Foster Street and moved through neighborhoods in the northeastern part of Selma,{{Cite web |last=Prater |first=Todd |date=2023-02-24 |title=County Commission honors Connel Towns Jr. for organizing tornado relief |url=https://selmasun.com/news/county-commission-honors-connel-towns-jr-for-organizing-tornado-relief/article_1de69d18-b470-11ed-8f8f-c37467110c8c.html |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Selma Sun |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Stuart |first=Shauna |date=2023-03-19 |title=As Selma rebuilds, the family of F.D. Reese will host a day of service in his honor |url=https://www.al.com/life/2023/03/as-selma-rebuilds-the-family-of-fd-reese-will-host-a-day-of-service-in-his-honor.html |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=AL |language=en}} where many homes and apartment buildings had roofs and exterior walls torn off, and many power lines were downed. Crossing SR 41, the tornado moved out of Selma and maintained EF2 intensity as it moved to the northeast.

File:Crosspoint Christian Daycare Tornado Damage.jpg

As the tornado crossed SR 14, an outbuilding was completely destroyed and a metal free-standing pole was bent to the ground, with damage in this area being rated EF2. After undergoing some re-intensification, the tornado then impacted a small residential area along Parkway Drive,{{Cite web |last=Morgan |first=Leigh |date=2023-01-13 |title='At least' EF-3 tornado damage found in Autauga County; NWS to continue damage surveys |url=https://www.al.com/news/2023/01/how-many-tornadoes-hit-alabama-on-thursday-nws-to-continue-damage-surveys.html |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=AL |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-01-12 |title=Curry family lost two homes in Jan. 12 tornado but dreams of keeping ties to Selma |url=https://www.blackbeltnewsnetwork.com/news/curry-family-lost-two-homes-in-jan-12-tornado-but-dreams-of-keeping-ties-to/article_4bc6bf88-b159-11ee-92c0-9bfe78d09a9b.html |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Black Belt News Network |language=en}} where a few houses had roofs torn off with some collapse of exterior walls noted. Another outbuilding in this area was completely destroyed; damage was rated high-end EF2. Just past this area, the tornado weakened to EF1 strength as it impacted a FEMA trailer storage facility along Selfield Road, where multiple unanchored trailers were damaged, flipped, or destroyed. A final area of EF2 damage occurred nearby, where the Dallas County Jail suffered extensive damage to its roof and fencing.

Weakening back to EF1 intensity, the tornado then crossed SR 14 again, damaging some outbuildings. The tornado weakened further as it passed south of Manila, causing minor EF0 tree damage along this segment of the path. It inflicted EF0 damage to a house and dissipated as it crossed SR 140 to the southeast of Burnsville at 12:31 p.m. CST (18:31 UTC), just before reaching the Autauga County line.{{Cite DAT|event_id=Selma Tornado|sourcing=ending point of the tornado|accessdate=February 5, 2025|event_date=January 12, 2023|event_start=1:20 PM|event_end=3:59 PM|lat=32.46|lon=-86.88}}{{Cite web |last=Prater |first=Todd |date=2021-03-26 |title=Luck of the Irish smiles on Burnsville despite F2 tornado on St. Patrick's Day |url=https://selmasun.com/news/luck-of-the-irish-smiles-on-burnsville-despite-f2-tornado-on-st-patrick-s-day/article_bcfa3d08-8e4b-11eb-a547-9726035478fe.html |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Selma Sun |language=en}} The tornado was on the ground for {{convert|23.22|mi|km}}, resulting in two injuries.

The tornado inflicted heavy damage to Selma and surrounding areas.{{Cite web |last=Callens |first=Faith |date=2025-01-13 |title=Remembering, Rebuilding, Surviving: A look at two years of recovery from the Jan. 12, 2023 tornado |url=https://www.selmatimesjournal.com/2025/01/13/remembering-rebuilding-surviving-a-look-at-two-years-of-recovery-from-the-jan-12-2023-tornado/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Selma Times‑Journal |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-01-14 |title=Tornadoes rattle historic civil rights community of Selma, Alabama |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/tornadoes-rattle-historic-civil-rights-community-of-selma-alabama |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=PBS News |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |date=2023-01-13 |title=At least 7 dead after destructive tornadoes hit Alabama |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/tornado-causes-significant-damage-selma-alabama-mayor-says-rcna65580 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=NBC News |language=en}} A mandatory curfew was enacted in Selma after the tornado.{{Cite web |last=Brinkmann |first=Heather |date=2023-01-12 |title='Significant damage' in Selma, Alabama, after tornado hits community |url=https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news/selma-alabama-tornado-significant-damage |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=FOX Weather |language=en-US}}

File:Selma, AL EF2 tornado track OLI Landsat 8.jpg on January 14. The scar of the tornado is visible, extending to the west of Selma.]]

Around one-third of Selma sustained heavy damage from the tornado,{{Cite web |date=2024-01-12 |title=SAVING SELMA: One year since tornado destroyed one-third of city |url=https://www.waka.com/2024/01/12/saving-selma-one-year-since-tornado-destroyed-one-third-of-city/ |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=WAKA |language=en-US}} which was determined by the National Weather Service to have produced EF2-rated damage following a tornado damage survey.{{Cite web |title=Selma tornado puts a stop to everyday life |url=https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/2023/01/13/selma-tornado-history-is-saved-but-survivors-need-help/69804398007/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Montgomery Advertiser |language=en-US}} The city council of Selma declared a state of emergency following the tornado,{{Cite news |date=2023-01-13 |title=At least 9 people were killed as a giant storm system hit the Southern U.S. |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/01/12/1148806544/an-extremely-dangerous-tornado-in-selma-ala-damages-buildings-and-uproots-trees |access-date=2025-01-31 |work=NPR |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-01-14 |title=Survivors emerge from wreckage after US storms kill 9 people |url=https://apnews.com/article/tornadoes-disaster-planning-and-response-selma-alabama-climate-environment-7f9d8545a4ba04e3d398579b052d36dd |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=AP News |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-01-13 |title=Rescuers seek survivors after storms kill 9 across South |url=https://www.wdsu.com/article/selma-alabama-deadly-storm-aftermath-january-2023/42489236 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=WDSU |language=en}} which left an estimated 19,000 people without power in the general vicinity of the city.{{Cite web |last=Hitson |first=Hadley |title=Civil rights legacy puts 'the eyes of the world' on tornado damage in Selma, Alabama |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/01/14/selma-alabama-tornado-spared-residents-brown-chapel-a-m-e/11054877002/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}} 32 public housing units were destroyed by the tornado,{{Cite web |title=Tornado recovery continues as Selma commemorates 'Bloody Sunday' |url=https://www.courthousenews.com/tornado-recovery-continues-as-selma-commemorates-bloody-sunday/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Courthouse News |language=en-US}} and emergency management agencies determined that the tornado damaged or destroyed a total of 3,200 structures.{{Cite web |last1=Fisher |first1=Cindy |last2=Fisher |first2=Brad |date=2024-01-12 |title=One-year later: How Selma is recovering from the EF-2 tornado |url=https://www.blackbeltnewsnetwork.com/news/one-year-later-how-selma-is-recovering-from-the-ef-2-tornado/article_6d6c6940-b158-11ee-aae0-27975fcff56a.html |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Black Belt News Network |language=en}} Roads in Selma were shut down due to concerns over downed power lines and trees falling on roads.{{Cite web |last1=Burke |first1=Minyvonne |last2=Strouss |first2=Steve |last3=Madani |first3=Doha |date=2023-01-12 |title=Tornado causes 'significant damage' in Selma, Alabama, mayor says |url=https://www.nbcrightnow.com/national/tornado-causes-significant-damage-in-selma-alabama-mayor-says/article_73b71596-92d9-11ed-a759-233250a8efda.html |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=NonStop Local Tri-Cities/Yakima |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Scarano |first=Megan |date=2025-02-04 |title="It don't look like home no more." Tornado rips through Selma, destroys homes |url=https://abc3340.com/news/local/it-dont-look-like-home-no-more-tornado-rips-through-selma-destroys-homes-dallas-county-fire-american-red-cross-salvage-damage-power-line-electricity-alea |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=WBMA |language=en}} James Perkins Jr., who was the mayor of Selma at the time of the tornado,{{Cite web |title=Meet the Mayor |url=https://selma-al.gov/government/office-of-the-mayor/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The City of Selma, Alabama |language=en-US}} stated that power in the city was "shot".{{Cite web |last=Shepherd |first=Marshall |title=An MLK Day Reflection In The Aftermath Of Selma's EF2 Tornado |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/marshallshepherd/2023/01/15/an-mlk-day-reflection-in-the-aftermath-of-selmas-ef2-tornado/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Forbes |language=en}} Shortly after the tornado, at least one damaged building in Selma caught on fire.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-12 |title=Fire reported after 'dangerous' tornado tears through Selma |url=https://www.wkrg.com/alabama-news/fire-reported-after-dangerous-tornado-tears-through-selma/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=WKRG News 5 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=A massive storm system whipping up severe winds and spawning tornadoes cut a path across the U.S. South |url=https://www.pennlive.com/galleries/VW6EJEDMMRFZ3CAYF4DV7Z5QXM/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Pennsylvania Live |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Multiple people killed in Alabama as storms slam South |url=https://www.opb.org/article/2023/01/12/an-extremely-dangerous-tornado-in-selma-ala-damages-buildings-and-uproots-trees/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Oregon Public Broadcasting |language=en}}

Recovery efforts were intensive,{{Cite web |last=Halbrooks |first=Glenn |date=2023-01-24 |title=Signs of Progress Beginning to Show in Selma Recovery |url=https://www.waka.com/2023/01/23/signs-of-progress-beginning-to-show-in-selma-recovery/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=WAKA 8 |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Compton |first=Natalie B. |date=January 16, 2023 |title=How Selma recovers after tragedy, from civil rights battles to tornadoes |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/01/16/selma-alabama-tornado-recovery/ |access-date=February 4, 2025 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{Cite web |last=Halbrooks |first=Glenn |date=2023-01-22 |title=Church Volunteers Help Selma Cleanup Storm Damage |url=https://www.waka.com/2023/01/21/church-volunteers-help-selma-cleanup-storm-damage/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=WAKA 8 |language=en-US}} and continued for over a year after the tornado.{{Cite web |last=Bell |first=Valerie |date=2024-01-11 |title=Progress made, but still work to do one year after devastating tornado in Selma |url=https://abc3340.com/news/local/selma-tornado-damage-one-year-later-january-12-2023-weather-aware-preschool-recovery-rebuild-efforts-underway-dallas-county-ef2-storms-progress-work |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=WBMA |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=McDonald |first=George |date=2024-11-05 |title=SAVING SELMA: Tornado recovery efforts continue |url=https://www.waka.com/2024/11/04/saving-selma-tornado-recovery-efforts-continue/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=WAKA 8 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Maze |first=Brent |date=2024-08-24 |title=Cleanup still underway |url=https://www.selmatimesjournal.com/2024/08/24/cleanup-still-underway/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Selma Times‑Journal |language=en}} U.S. Representative Terri Sewell stated during initial recovery efforts after the tornado: "This will be a marathon, not a sprint, but rest assured we will come back stronger than before";{{Cite web |date=2023-01-15 |title=Rep. Sewell Announces Major Disaster Declaration Granted by President Biden for the State of Alabama, Triggering Release of Federal Assistance |url=https://sewell.house.gov/2023/1/rep-sewell-announces-major-disaster-declaration-granted-by-president-biden-for-the-state-of-alabama-triggering-release-of-federal-assistance |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=U.S. Congresswoman Terri Sewell |language=en}} she had also made a major disaster declaration immediately following the event.{{Cite web |last=Hayes |first=James |date=2023-02-09 |title=Lawmakers react after Biden amends Alabama Disaster Declaration |url=https://www.wsfa.com/2023/02/09/biden-amends-alabama-disaster-declaration/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=WSFA |language=en}} Then-President Joe Biden authorized federal funds to be directed at recovery efforts in Selma less than a month after the event.{{Cite web |last=Fisher |first=Brad |date=2023-02-09 |title=Feds agree to pay 100% of tornado cleanup, clearing the way for debris pickup to begin |url=https://selmasun.com/news/feds-agree-to-pay-100-of-tornado-cleanup-clearing-the-way-for-debris-pickup-to/article_81ba1d34-a8d0-11ed-8ef6-e71cd5061646.html |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Selma Sun |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-01-12 |title=With the MLK holiday ahead, Selma is still building back from last year's tornado |url=https://www.kgou.org/2024-01-12/with-the-mlk-holiday-ahead-selma-is-still-building-back-from-last-years-tornado |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=KGOU |language=en}} A makeshift American Red Cross shelter was also set up inside of the Selma High School to provide residents with food and water.{{Cite web |last=Hitson |first=Hadley |title=Groups swarm Selma to help those in need. Here's how you can help. |url=https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/2023/01/23/whos-helping-selma-recover-from-the-tornado-and-how-you-can-help/69823384007/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Montgomery Advertiser |language=en-US}} In June 2023, the Black Belt Community Foundation gave $150,000 (2023 USD) to aid with recovery and rebuilding efforts in Selma.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.wsfa.com/video/2023/06/28/black-belt-community-foundation-gifts-150k-selma-tornado-relief-efforts/ |title=Black Belt Community Foundation gifts $150k to Selma tornado relief efforts |date=2023-06-28 |language=en |access-date=2025-02-04 |via=WSFA}} By October 2023, the mayor reported that debris was removed from all residential properties within the city limits of Selma.{{Cite web |last=Stevens |first=Monae |date=2023-10-25 |title=Selma making significant progress 9 months after tornado |url=https://www.wsfa.com/2023/10/25/selma-making-significant-progress-9-months-after-tornado/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=WSFA |language=en}}

Through 2023, the City of Selma gave away homes to several people whose property was destroyed by the tornado.{{Cite web |last=Hitson |first=Hadley |title='Brand new start': Selma family wins home in housing authority's tornado recovery giveaway |url=https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/2024/04/30/selma-tornado-recovery-giveaway-grants-blessed-family-a-free-home/73383428007/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Montgomery Advertiser |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Rosanna |date=2023-10-21 |title=Selma woman displaced by Jan. 12 tornado gifted new home |url=https://www.wsfa.com/2023/10/21/selma-woman-displaced-by-jan-12-tornado-gifted-new-home/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=WSFA |language=en}} Selma, the origin point of the Civil Rights era marches to Montgomery in the 1960s, was "brought together" by the tornado, which hit the town just days before Martin Luther King Jr. day.{{Cite web |title=Selma tornado recovery |url=https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2024/01/15/selma-tornado-recovery |website=WBUR |date=January 15, 2024 |language=en-us}}

• List of Alabama tornadoes

{{reflist|group=note}}

{{reflist}}{{2023 tornado outbreaks}}

Category:January 2023 in the United States

Category:Tornadoes in Alabama

Category:Tornadoes of 2023

Category:Selma, Alabama

Category:2023 in Alabama