Selma quietly marks third anniversary of tornado

Monday marked the third anniversary of a horrendous event in Selma.

Jan. 12, 2026 was the third anniversary of the EF-2 tornado that tore through the center of Selma.

There were no deaths or major injuries, but FEMA and Selma officials estimated that the tornado damaged 3,200 structures and affected 470 businesses and 1,800 families. Many residents were displaced and left Selma due to a shortage of housing. Many never came back.

Many government agencies, church groups and volunteers who came to help Selma rebuild left in the spring of 2025. Mennonite Disaster Services left in May after donating $2 million and 12,000 volunteer hours.

The Long Term Recovery Group, made up of area business, civic and church leaders, gave out grants to families in need and helped residents apply for and receive other funds available through May 2025. LTRG built four new homes and repaired damaged ones alongside volunteer groups that remained in Selma, including Samaritan’s Purse and Mennonite Disaster Service.

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Memorial Stadium and Bloch Park were restored in 2025 thanks to grants and insurance payments, and a new track opened Memorial Stadium in 2025.

SABRA’s shelter for survivors of domestic violence from Dallas, Perry and Wilcox counties was damaged in the tornado, and a new building opened in September 2025.

The Dallas County jail was seriously damaged in the tornado, and it is not close to reopening. Inmates are housed at a state facility in Uniontown and in county jails throughout the state.

Selma has received millions of dollars in grants broadly related to storm recovery, including almost $3 million to resurface streets. The city has also received grants for tourism.

While most of the tornado recovery efforts have come to an end, home owners can continue to apply for grants through the Home Recovery Alabama Program.