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Seven Deaths Confirmed Following Strong Tornado

01/14/2023

Prattville, AL - Autauga County Sheriff's Office


Seven Deaths Confirmed Following Strong Tornado


Autauga County was hit by a powerful tornado Thursday afternoon (January 12, 2023). Preliminary reports from the National Weather Service Office are showing the tornado to be at least an EF-3 with winds up to 150mph, storm surveys continue today. This powerful tornado ripped through Autauga County leaving behind great destruction of homes and property for many, many miles. Hundreds of homes in the areas of Old Kingston, Posey's Crossroads, White City and Marbury have been damaged or destroyed.

It is with a very heavy heart that we also have to report that the tornado caused seven (7) deaths in Autauga County. Please pray for the families that lost loved ones and the ones recovering from injuries received from this tornado. These deaths occurred in one of the hardest hit communities of Autauga County called Old Kingston:


  • Robert Gardner Jr - 70 year old white male and Deanna Marie Corbin - 59 year old white female was killed in the 800 block of Sandy Ridge Road. Both Gardner and Corbin lived in the same residence.

  • Chistopher Allen Corbin Jr - 46 year old white male and Tessa Celeste Desmet - 21 year old white female was killed in the 1000 block of Sandy Ridge Road. Both Corbin Jr and Desmet lived in the same residence and are related to Gardner and Corbin from the 800 block.

  • Carmen Cox Autery - 59 year old white female was also killed in the 1000 block of Sandy Ridge Road, but was not related to any of the other deaths on the road.

  • Andrea Sue Taylor - 61 year old white female was reported missing Thursday in the 800 block of County Road 140, and was located early Friday morning.

  • Solomon Antiono Smith - 50 year old black male was killed in the 900 block of County Road 140.


Clean up efforts are still ongoing across Autauga County; as well as power crews from Alabama Power and Central Alabama Electric Corporation are restoring power and replacing broken power poles and transformers as fast and safely as they can. If you would like to help with the clean-up efforts or would like to make a donation to help the families who have lost everything, please contact the Central Alabama Community Foundation at 334-264-6223. You can mail a check payable to CACF to 114 Church Street, Montgomery, AL 36104.


You can also drop off items at the Prattville City Hall. The items that will be accepted at City Hall are:
• Water/Drinks
• Paper products (paper plates, bowls, paper towels, toilet paper)
• Disposable utensils
• Garbage bags
• Diapers (all sizes)
• Wipes
• Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, soap, body wash, toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush)
• New in the package for all ages (sock and undergarments)
• New blankets
• Work gloves


Please continue to pray for the citizens of Autauga County as we start to put back together and rebuild the communities affected by this tornado. We are Autauga County Strong!

Secret Witness Hotline 334-361-2599 Or Submit Via Email