Sometimes the city and the county get criticized for being too cautious these days, Reed said. 23, 2023, 9:55 p.m. A brief tornado touched down in central Fayette County on Friday as rain and a few storms moved through the state. Authorities said the victims, a 39-year-old woman and 8-year-old boy, were. All rights reserved. Selma has received significant damage from the tornado. "I along with my partners at the Alabama EMA will continue monitoring to determine if an expanded state of emergency is needed. NWS in Birmingham confirmed 60 mph straight line winds and hail in the storm that passed over Montgomery just before 2:30 p.m. on Thursday. In the meantime, stay safe and continue to report your damages through 911, the Selma mayors office said in a statement. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has been tracking tornadoes for decades. Contact him atemealins@gannett.comor follow him on Twitter@EvanMealins. At least seven people are dead in Alabama after tornadoes struck the state Thursday, destroying homes and causing what Selma's . "We were sitting there watching the radar. Montgomery Public Schools is canceling all after-school activities Thursday, according to a text sent to parents shortly after 12 p.m. Chilton County Schools dismissed at 11 a.m. Thursday. Alabama is actually right in the center of the hot zone for tornadoes -- oftentimes referred to as Dixie Alley -- during the late fall, winter and early spring months. Storm damage forced authorities in the coastal city to close major roadways as workers cleared debris and inspected wreckage. Tornado history:Alabama tornado season: What we know, storm history, more, Dangerous weather across the South:Tornadoes hit Mississippi, central Louisiana; 125M in Midwest, Northeast in path of severe winds. EMA Director Christina Thornton said she and a colleague were monitoring the radar when they noticed the tornado there was no tornado warning in effect when it landed. According to the Montgomery City/County EMA, a tornado warning was issued at 3:14 a.m. when radar identified a tornado in east Montgomery. Always assume power lines are energized. Three of the victims' names, ages or genders have not been reported. New information gathered in the Flatwood community in Montgomery County as part of a preliminary storm survey led the National Weather Service Office in Birmingham Wednesday afternoon to upgrade the tornado's ranking to EF-2 with winds reaching 115 miles per hour. As of about 3 p.m. Tuesday there were reports of up to 15 homes with some type of damage, most of them caused by falling trees,Barnett said. The mayor's office also issued a statement saying emergency response teams are on the ground providing assistance and cleaning right of ways. Holmes said the storm is moving between 45 mph and 50 mph and is moving east. At least 7 now dead in Autauga County after storms, tornado strike Alabama, Did historic Selmas homes, monuments withstand possible tornado? The Montgomery County Sheriffs Office is ready to provide equipment and resources to assist our neighbors during this difficult time.. All rights reserved. Multiple reports of homes and other structures damaged and trees down. Meteorologists found "at least" EF-3. "The trees start swaying and the wind was knocking everywhere," Lharris said. Gov. In fact, it hit our house, but not head-on. The weather service said its unclear whether the damage in Selma and Autauga came from the same tornado or two separate ones. At least six people were killed in Autauga County, according to Autauga County interim Sheriff David Hill, who said more fatalities are possible. This is a sad day for Montgomery County as a whole and for the Flatwood community, Sankey said. The country club's roof was ripped off in the tornado. The Flatwood community, which felt the brunt of the EF-1 tornado that hit Montgomery and Elmore counties early Wednesday, picked up the pieces after the devastating storm. "A tornado has definitely damaged Selma. As of 3 p.m., he was still stuck inside his car, as volunteers worked to remove him. Leigh Morgan . The brief tornado tracked from County Road 88 where several trees were uprooted, uprooted a tree on County Road 61, and ended on County Road 126 where chicken houses had minor roof damage. "I put on brakes, but I was too late," Reeves said. Radar and the National Weather Service indicated a tornado on the ground south of Wetumpka, Alabama, at about 11 a.m. The district will be virtual tomorrow. Montgomery County Commission Chairman Doug Singleton said county workers are ready to help in other ways, as well. There have been six reported injuries in the county and first responders and emergency officials are searching the areas. All schools and students in Autauga County are safe after a tornado moved through the central part of the county Thursday afternoon, per the Autauga County Emergency Management Agency after getting a call from the school system. Check back for details. The storm knocked out power for about 750 homes Wednesday morning, Reed said at a news conference. Those affected by the storms can call RRUW at 334-264-7318 for more information about local assistance. Montgomery Assistant Fire Chief Stanley Cooper said the department is all hands on deck to respond to the storm. It will automatically update every 15 minutes. Your subscription makes our journalism possible. In 2022, Alabama experienced 92 tornados, which caused $219,000 in damages, according to the Tuscaloosa News. Lightning struck a flea market in the north Alabama community of Laceys Spring, causing a fire that gutted the building, and rising water in Mobile Bay covered part of a ramp on Interstate 10, according to Associated Press reports. Montgomery County crews stand ready to assist our neighboring counties as they clean-up and rebuild.. Compare that to just 39 tornadoes when looking at the average dating back to 1970! Hill said responders are preparing to take several injured to the local hospitals. Track all current severe weather warnings, watches and advisories for Montgomery, Alabama and other areas in the United States on the interactive weather alerts page. All rights reserved (About Us). The Montgomery Tornado was produced by a different thunderstorm and was the last of four tornadoes associated with a bow/comma echo structure (Fujita 1978). MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Several homes and businesses in Montgomery were damaged by a possible tornado early Wednesday morning. The tornado hit at 3:14 a.m., according to EMA. The possible tornado touched down in the 300 block of Williams Drive in the Flatwood Community. Stay clear of areas with fallen trees or limbs where downed lines may be hidden. As of 6 p.m. Thursday there were six confirmed fatalities, Autauga County Sheriff Dave Hill said. Elmore County was placed under a tornado warning at 10:54 a.m., said Keith Barnett, director of the Elmore County Emergency Management Agency. The possible tornado crossed over the river and destroyed an unknown number of homes in the area of Lake Ridge Drive. The boy's father was taken to the hospital, authorities said. This is the same tornado that touched down in Selma about noon and caused extensive damage there. NEW! That included 1,000 people in Elmore County, 900 people in Montgomery County, 560 people in Butler County and 300 people in Tallapoosa County. Bookers home also sustained minor damage. A hurricane watcher's guide to the latest track and model forecasts. Some Larger Population Centers in Risk Area. And that total could rise. Selma Mayor James Perkins told WSFA on Thursday that one person was believed to be trapped in a building and another is possibly missing. He was thankful that this time it happened in the daylight instead of while everyone was asleep. Some counties where tornado warnings had been issued reported trees down and homes damaged. Weather service teams are still surveying areas across the state. Candidate announces Montgomery City Council District 2 campaign. Radar and National Weather Service indicated a tornado on the ground south and east of Wetumpka at about 11 a.m. While not the most active months of the yearFebruary, December and January actually rank as the 5th, 6th and 7th most active months respectively for tornadic activity in Alabama since 1950. Avoid stepping in puddles and standing water after a storm as they may be touching hidden, downed power lines and be electrified. According to the Montgomery Emergency Management Agency, the. This interactive map, which contains data from January 1950 to January 31, 2023, pinpoints where a cyclone touched down and traces its path of destruction. Alabama Power officials said service had been restored to about 88% of customers across central Alabama by 11 a.m., but damage to the power infrastructure here was "severe.". MPS said students would be released from school at the usual time. WATCH: Drone footage shows Alabama tornado devastation in Selma. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/26/2023). He rode out the storm in his basement and was relieved to find no damage to his house. The National Weather Service will now rate tornado damage according to the new guidelines. Current forecasts have the possibility of all forms of severe weather including damaging winds, large hail and possible tornadoes. In Alabama, a possible early-morning tornado just north of Montgomery killed a 39-year-old woman and her 8-year-old son when a tree fell on their mobile home, authorities said. The National Weather Service has dropped some counties . NWS characterizes EF-1 tornadoes as causing moderate damage capable of peeling off roofs and overturning mobile homes and cars. North Alabama is in the middle of tornado season, and that means it's important to know how to keep everyone in your family safe during severe weather. ), Wilcox County - Scattered outages (fewer than 50). Elmore County family trapped for hours after tree fell on home Sunday night, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Alabama Power said about 3 p.m. it was still assessing the extent of the damage caused by Thursdays tornadoes. Residents in the Flatwood community reported losing roofs, patios and shingles on their homes. Please monitor the weather carefully," the school district wrote in a Facebook post Thursday morning. The storm was moving northeast at 50 mph. The path was 1 mile long and 200 yards wide. There. It is my prayer that all of you are safe and out of harms way, he said in a statement. (CNN, WPTV, KCRA, WPBF, KFSN, GETTY), Mortgage manager shares credit score tips, Montgomery Probate Judge JC Love announces REACCT program, REACCT program launched to protect Montgomery residents from property fraud. Locally, the counties with the most people have the highest tornado numbers. Her mother, Donna Perry, was in the house at the time and rode the storm out in a bathroom. A tornado warning for Montgomery County was issued the same minute the storm touched down and was in effect until 4:15 a.m. Reed said a siren went off to warn people in eastern Montgomery about the tornado. The mayor says more than 10,000 are without power, and hes urging residents to stay home while first responders and power crews respond. Do not drive over lines or under low-hanging lines. Alex Gladden covers public safety for the Advertiser. This storm tracker contains data from 1851. "Everywhere I went, whatever direction I went in, there was devastation," Lharris said. The company said repair work is ongoing and that local crews are now being assisted by workers from other areas. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the families impacted by todays devastating storms, Singleton said in a statement. The company had reports of more than 30 broken poles, 40 fallen spans of wire and 15 damaged transformers in the wake of overnight storms in central Alabama. But everywhere he went, there was damage. An abandoned home in the Claud Fleahop area was damaged, Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin said. Deacon Clarence Shuler confirmed the woman and boy were members of the same family. In addition to assisting residents of Montgomery, the department has received requests for help in Lightwood, a community in Elmore County that the storm hit early on, and has plans to aid residents there. Multiple injury reports are coming in in Autauga County from a confirmed tornado on the ground at 1:02 p.m. in the central part of the county. You can read more about the damage from severe weather here. This interactive map, which contains data. . Keep children and pets away from downed lines. Montgomery, AL is a Very High Risk area for tornados. 25, 2023 at 8:42 AM PDT. Footage of a confirmed tornado that touched down in Selma was posted to Twitter by Weather Nation at 12:52 p.m. The Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency said the upgrade means the tornado that hit the Flatwood community in a northern portion of the county had winds up to 115 mph. The forecast will be more finely tuned as the weekend approaches, Holmes said. Sewell said she planned to arrive in Selma by Thursday night to survey the damage and assist in recovery efforts. Although debris did hit her son in the head, no one in the home was seriously injured. I am devastated and heartbroken by the tornado damage in my hometown of Selma and throughout the Black Belt, Sewell said in a statement. It was weird.. Rodney Penn was out clearing debris Wednesday morning. Keep children and pets away from downed lines. Some local school districts are changing their schedules Wednesday after the early-morning storms. Published: Apr. Montgomery Advertiser 0:04 1:09 An early Wednesday morning tornado killed two people just north of Montgomery. Montgomery County leaders pledged help Thursday for area counties affected by the storms, and Sheriff Derrick Cunningham said his department has agreed to accept several detainees from Dallas County. Dozens of homes were destroyed and dozens more damaged in the path of the storm, said Ernie Baggett, director of the Autauga County Emergency Management Agency. Road blockages prevent bus drivers from traveling their regular routes after school, but Superintendent Zickeyous Byrd said parents are welcome to come and check out their scholars at this time.. Dangerous lines may touch the metal. Weather Prediction Center forecasts the probability that rainfall will exceed flash flood guidance within 25 miles of a point. "It was a pretty significant tornado" with "debris lofted in the air to about 10,000 to 15,000 feet," Satterwhite said. Montgomery is the capital city of the U.S. state of Alabama and the county seat of Montgomery County. The city had authorized crews to go into an unincorporated area of the county and help with rescue efforts. Kelley was grateful that the tornado did not kill or seriously injure any of her neighbors. The city of Montgomery has cancelled all afternoon and evening classes that were scheduled for January 12 at the Armory Learning Arts Center. You can get structural damage with winds of 55 miles per hour and greater.. Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com. NWS meteorologist Jason Holmes said Wednesday morning the service was sending two teams to survey damage Wednesday. There have been at least 54 incidents of storm damage throughout the nation Thursday.. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. The tornado tracked northeast and crossed Eagle Road and County Road 30 before dissipating just north of Highway 82. As night fell on Thursday, more than a dozen were missing in the Old Kingston community in the central part of the county. The tornado total of 11 was as from Mondays surveys, so the numbers could rise. Autauga County Schools canceled all after-school activities Thursday. We had a massive tree that fell on the home, Castanza said. According to . For more recent tornadoes, clicking deeper provides more details, damage estimates and whether someone was injured or killed in the storm. The Associated Press contributed to this report.Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Brad Harper at bharper1@gannett.com. Start: 34.6785/-85.8392 End: 34.7025/-85.7936: 32: 2023 : 3: 3 . Authorities said the victims, a 39-year-old woman and 8-year-old boy, were mother and son. EF1 tornadoes have maximum wind speeds between. The other begins in Claud, near Eclectic and tracks seven miles through the Kent community. Montgomery, AL 36104 (334) 288-1212; Terms of . 0:59. Kay Ivey issued a state of emergency for six counties after severe weather struck central Alabama on Thursday. It then left the ground and struck again south of Tallassee. Images from the scene showed cars flipped over on top of each other, cracked tree limbs resting on vehicles and homes, as well as other debris littering streets. It blew out windows in the bedroom and in the living room. River Region Academy in Montgomery will close at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, an employee for the K-12 private school confirmed. Calls reporting damage quickly began coming in after. Last few hours have been very tough on the community, but certainly could have been worse, Reed said. The roof is shown on the ground next to the building in the photo. A limb busted out the windows in his wifes car, but there was no structural damage to his apartment. Reed plans to also work with the community's non-profits as well as the state. Long after the worst of the April 27, 2011, storms had passed, Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox continued to hear from people all around the country: "I remember seeing that on Fox, or CNN . I was so scared.. The fund has been set up specifically to fill in gaps of need within the community, including those affected by other recent tornadoes. Three transmission structures had also been damaged. Autauga County Sheriff David Hill confirmed that four people died as a result of the tornado that hit the county earlier Thursday afternoon. I am keeping my constituents and all those affected in my prayers, she said. He knew he wasn't supposed to be in his car, but he couldn't get out. Dangerous lines may touch the metal. Josh Douglass with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the two fatalities in the storm a 39-year-old woman and 8-year-old boy were mother and son. Rescue and recovery work continued Friday morning in Autauga County, where at least seven people died in an early afternoon tornado Thursday. At this time, there remain 13,400 APC customers without service in central Alabama. The tornado that killed two in the Flatwood area near Montgomery had winds estimated at 110 mph, the National Weather Service said. First responders told him that they had to leave him to take care of others. Geo resource failed to load. First responders also took a man who lived in the same residence as the 39-year-old woman and 8-year-old boy to the hospital. They offered these safety reminders: Wednesday could see more severe weather. 2023 www.montgomeryadvertiser.com. . EF-3 damage in the Kingston area of Autauga County, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. Capt. The account said the storm touched down "moments ago, producing damage.". The Selma Country Club in west Selma was severely damaged by the tornado that touched down shortly after 12 p.m. Thursday. The National Weather Service is sending teams to access nine separate areas. The Autauga County EMA has received reports of injuries in the Old Kingston, Joffre and Marbury areas. Initial surveys of . Multiple reports of extensive property damage are coming into the Autauga EMA following a confirmed tornado that struck the central part of the county. The Air Quality Index (AQI) translates air quality data into numbers and colors that help people understand when to take action to protect their health. By. EF0 Light Damage (40 72 mph), EF1 Moderate Damage (73 112 mph), EF2 Significant damage (113 157 mph), EF3 Severe Damage (158 206 mph), EF4 Devastating Damage (207 260 mph), EF5 Incredible Damage (261 318 mph), Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. No injuries reported at the moment, but still working to search the damaged areas. It crossed the Alabama River into Montgomery County north of the toll bridge downing trees north of the Alabama River Parkway. EF-2, 120 mph winds. Outages also were reported in Lee and Wilcox counties. NWS reported that a tornado touched down twice in Selma, at 12:18 and 12:19 p.m. Click on each county to see the details. Despite the damage to property, no one suffered serious injuries during the storm. "We have already seen parts of the state rattled by this severe weather system, which is why I have issued a state of emergency for six of our counties that were in the path of Mother Natures wrath: Autauga, Chambers, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore and Tallapoosa," Ivey wrote on social media. According to records, the largest tornado in the Montgomery area was an F4 in 2011 that caused 30 injuries and 7 deaths. Call us at 1-800-888-2726 or contact a local law enforcement agency if downed lines are spotted. A mother and her 8-year-old son have died in central Alabama after a tornado with winds of up to 115 mph struck overnight, officials said. A tornado ripped through Palm Beach Garden, Florida. Several homes and other buildings have received "substantial" damage, she said. We just never seen this much damage, with the lives that have been lost too," Doris Shuler said. Winds of 75 to 80 miles per hour are going to cause damage. Former state Sen. Hank Sanders told the Associated Press he has been told there is damage "all over Selma.". (WPTV), Residents across central and south Florida woke up to severe storms. Macon County Schools are having a virtual day on Wednesday. 26, 2023 at 10:46 AM CDT HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (TENNESSEE VALLEY LIVING) - North Alabama is in the middle of tornado season, and that means it's important . You can give to the fund by texting DISASTER23 to 41444 or going torruw.org. I dont know about Selma yet, but were also ready to deploy once the storm is over, Cooper said. Anyone who spots a downed line can callAlabama Power at1-800-888-2726. Montgomery County Commissioner Isaiah Sankey, whose district includes the Flatwood area where the family lived, pledged help for the family going forward. But what about trying to determine where in the state tornadoes strike the most? It is raining through the roof in the kitchen," Sanders told AP. I was watching WSFA and they said there was a confirmed tornado in Elmore County near Wetumpka. Autauga County EMA has informed WSFA that this area is the top concern right now. City leaders give update after overnight storms, Mayor Steven Reed and Montgomery County Commissioner give an update following an early morning storm, Mother and son dead after EF-2 tornado hits Montgomery on Nov. 30, Alabama tornado season: What we know, storm history, more, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - April 27, 2011, will forever be implanted in the memories of Alabamians for all the wrong reasons. Any time you can walk away from something like this, and theres no lives lost, I think its a blessing, Booker said. The tornado was likely an EF-2 or EF-3, he added. Published: Apr. 'This was my dream place': Tornado damages homes in Hale County, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. So, he joined a group that was using chainsaws to get tree limbs out of the way so ambulances and fire trucks could get through. Read more about the impact of the storm on the Flatwood community here. Those affected by the storms can call RRUW at 334-264-7318 for more information. DO NOT attempt to remove tree limbs or anything else caught in power lines.