Deadly EF-3 tornado rips through Plantersville area

From the West Alabama Newsroom–

A confirmed EF-3 tornado — touched down in Plantersville.

Two fatalities have been confirmed and officials say two other people were injured.

“When we arrived we seen total devastation,” said Sheriff Mike Granthum.

“We had one deceased subject. It was a male subject about 70 years old — was deceased in his shop. Found him under some debris. But then we had a search for a female subject that actually lived in a manufactured home behind that.”

There’s only a pile of cinder blocks where 82 year old Annie Free’s trailer sat — before it was swept away by a tornado.

“After I thought it had passed over, tried to call grand maw to check on ’em and couldn’t get ’em on the phone,” said Free’s granddaughter Tiffany Reid.

82-year-old Annie Free died in the EF-3 tornado that hit Plantersville./Source: Free Family

“I just jumped in the car by myself and headed down here, I didn’t expect this. I get about a half a mile from here and I can’t get to her. So, I just park my car and got out and walked in the rain and the trees. And then I saw it was gone. It was just gone. So, we searched for her all night. We found her at 4 am this morning.”

“They located my mom, east what? Three quarters of a mile away from where she lived right here,” said Anita Owens.

Volunteers have converged on the area — with chainsaws — and heavy equipment to help the community in its time of need.

“They don’t have to do this, they doing it on their own because they care. And that means so much to me and to all of my family. And we thank every one of them,” said Owens.

Disaster Relief Teams are also on the ground — providing food and water — to victims and volunteers.