[3] The United States Weather Bureau described this tornado as "perhaps the most officially observed one in history" as it reached within five miles (8 km) of the U.S.

[4] Earlier that day, another tornado – also estimated to be F3 intensity – struck Meridian, Mississippi, killing five to seven people.

[5] A freight train was also struck, where, according to the Dothan Eagle, 50 cars "were ripped and tossed about like match boxes".

In total, the tornado killed 26 people, injured 293 others, and caused $1.7 million (1945 USD) in damage along its 13-mile (21 km) path.

[5] As news of the tornado's impact on Montgomery and Chisholm spread, curiosity set in as residents attempted to travel to the affected areas "by the thousands", causing traffic congestion and blocking the roads.

[5] Military police from Maxwell Air Force Base and Gunter Field, along with local law enforcement, eventually cleared the streets of onlookers.

[5] Cadets from both military bases were sent to clear away the debris while organizations like the Red Cross cared for those who were injured or left homeless by the tornado.

[5] Floyd C. Pate, a forecaster at the United States Weather Bureau office in Montgomery, Alabama, undertook an extensive assessment on this tornado between 1945 and 1946.

[3] During this assessment, Pate called this tornado "perhaps the most officially observed one in history", as it passed 2 miles (3.2 km) away from four different government weather stations, including the U.S.