Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.
A spirit that is not afraid

Search and rescue resumes after at least 23 killed by tornado in Lee County

Search and rescue operations are resuming this morning after emergency personnel were forced to call off efforts Sunday night because of darkness and dangerous debris.

A trailer sits severely damaged after a tornado hit rural parts of Lee County on Sunday, March 3, 2019.
A trailer sits severely damaged after a tornado hit rural parts of Lee County on Sunday, March 3, 2019.

Search and rescue operations are resuming this morning after emergency personnel were forced to call off efforts Sunday night because of darkness and dangerous debris.

At least 23 people are dead after at least one strong tornadoes ripped through southern Lee County Sunday, Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones tells The Plainsman.

The number may continue to rise as search crews are able to comb through the wreckage Monday morning.

"I hate to think about it, but I'm afraid we may see more just based on the destruction," Jones said. "I hope I'm wrong."

Widespread damage has been reported in parts of Lee County south of Auburn and Opelika, though the most severe damage was to a mobile home community in Beauregard. Jones said most of the deaths happened "within the same square mile."

"It is so devastating," Jones said. "The devastation is just catastrophic."

Homes were leveled, cars flipped and trees snapped in half.

Jones said search and rescue operations were called off Sunday evening at about 10 p.m. because the wreckage is too dangerous. 

State resources, law enforcement, fire and search resources from neighboring emergency agencies and others have been called in to help. Crews will continue combing the scene to look for more survivors and victims Monday morning.

"We're going to have some aircraft working with, several different resources in place," Jones said. "Our primary will be continuing our search and rescue and working with families who have been displaced, hopefully helping them recover."

Dozens were transported to East Alabama Medical Center for treatment of injuries related to the storm.

"We have received more than 40 patients as a result of the tornado this afternoon and expect more," spokesman John Atkinson said. "Some patients have also been sent to surrounding hospitals.  Conditions of the patients vary."

Lee County Schools will be closed Monday following the storm.

Auburn students who might be from the affected area can contact Auburn Cares at 334-844-1305 or auburncares@auburn.edu for assistance. The University said in a statement that students, faculty or staff having difficulty getting to campus can contact their professors or supervisor to let them know their situation.

"Our thoughts are with those who have been affected by the storms that struck Lee County, Alabama this afternoon," the University said in a statement. "We recognize that many of our students and employees live in areas that may have been impacted."

The University of Alabama offered its support in a statement.

“Our hearts are heavy on The University of Alabama campus as we think about the friends, families and communities affected by the devastating tornado that tore through Lee County and across the region yesterday," UA President Stuart Bell said. "As our prayers go out, there is such an incredible loss felt across our entire state, and the UA family is eager to extend love, care and support during the painful recovery and beyond.”

Donations are being taken at Church of the Highlands' Dream Center located at 1103 North Donahue starting Monday morning. Missing persons can be reported to redcross.org/safeandwell or call the Lee County Sheriff's Office at 334-749-5651.

Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Auburn Plainsman delivered to your inbox

More donation options can be found here.


MORE: Where you can donate to help tornado survivors


Several roads are closed as storm debris is removed. Those include Highway 51 from Lee Road 42 to Lee Road 39 and Lee Road 38, Lee Road 721, Lee Road 39, Lee Road 294 and Lee road 293. Those may be opened Monday as efforts resume.

Red Cross will be located at Providence Baptist Church on Lee Road 166 in Opelika. Any displaced families or those looking for loved ones can go there.


Chip Brownlee | Editor-in-chief

Chip Brownlee, senior in journalism and political science, is the editor-in-chief of The Auburn Plainsman.


Share and discuss “Search and rescue resumes after at least 23 killed by tornado in Lee County” on social media.