On January 23, an upper-level trough moved across the Great Plains with a front stalled over portions of Texas and Louisiana, prompting the Storm Prediction Center to forecast a slight risk of severe thunderstorms across the Gulf Coast states.
A very important severe weather statement was issued shortly after 430 PM highlighting the multiple tornadoes in Williamson County.
Just before 5:00 PM on January 24, a tornado touched down on the east side of the Warrior River south of Interstate 59 and west of County Road 95.
Initial damage included snapped tree branches and shingles torn off of the roof of an apartment complex.
As it crossed U.S. Route 82 and Interstate 59, the tornado quickly became stronger, with two businesses, Books-a-Million and Gayfers suffering roof damage.
Moving in a northeast direction, the tornado then entered the Woodland Hills area, destroying outbuildings and damaging several homes.
[6] After impacting the Food World and Big B stores, the tornado continued into the Lynn Haven residential area damaging ten to twelve homes.
The tornado then crossed the Tuscaloosa Memorial Gardens Cemetery and State Road 216, entering the Summerfield subdivision.
Six to eight houses in the subdivision received minor damage while other structures including a few mobile homes and a small grocery store were destroyed.
[28] The tornado was on the ground for approximately 15 minutes, with a path length of 10 miles long by 200 yards wide.