All rights reserved. Joseph Lharris had recently dropped a friend off out of town and was driving back toward Selma when he noticed the weather changed. I dont know about Selma yet, but were also ready to deploy once the storm is over, Cooper said. 0:27. 'Recovery is difficult,' mayor says in aftermath of 2011 tornado The tornado total of 11 was as from Mondays surveys, so the numbers could rise. Last few hours have been very tough on the community, but certainly could have been worse, Reed said. The bulk of the damage appears to be in the Old Kingston and County Road 68 area of Marbury. No injuries were reported. The fund has been set up specifically to fill in gaps of need within the community, including those affected by other recent tornadoes. All rights reserved. Cunningham asked people to avoid the area as rescue workers continue to go door to door. The possible tornado touched down in the 300 block of Williams Drive in the Flatwood Community. Meteorologists found "at least" EF-3. Get news alerts FASTER and FREE in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store! Alex Gladden is the Montgomery Advertiser's public safety reporter. The mayor says more than 10,000 are without power, and hes urging residents to stay home while first responders and power crews respond. It is raining through the roof in the kitchen," Sanders told AP. It appeared to be a storm from the same supercell thunderstorm that dropped a tornado that caused widespread damage in Selma about half an hour earlier than when the Autauga storm struck. 0:59. Residents reported losing patios, roofs and shingles on their homes throughout the area. TIMELINE: Seven dead after tornado hits Kingston community in Autauga It is my prayer that all of you are safe and out of harms way, he said in a statement. Here's a guide to the percentage of power outages in each county. Trees and power lines were down throughout the county, but no injuries had. The storm was moving northeast at 50 mph. A tornado watch was in effect at the time for most of the area. Alabama Tornado Database 2022 - National Weather Service Reach her at [email protected]. I heard it when it came over, said Katie Johnson who lives on Firetower Road, near Highway 14. Maximum heat index forecast for next 7 days. Alabama Tornado Statistics - National Weather Service He urged people to be weather aware as the weekend approaches. The Montgomery County Sheriffs Office is ready to provide equipment and resources to assist our neighbors during this difficult time.. She can be reached at [email protected] or 479-926-9570. Remembering the April 27, 2011, tornado super outbreak - al.com Selma City Schools have reported that all children in the schools are safe. The announcement was made Tuesday night in anticipation of the severe weather. Wetumpka Mayor Jerry Willis said several roads in the Wetumpka area were blocked Tuesday afternoon due to downed trees, including access to the Smoke Rise neighborhood. The tornado claimed the lives of a mother and son as a tree fell on their home. The National Weather Service will now rate tornado damage according to the new guidelines. By Charles Montgomery. 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. Call us at 1-800-888-2726 or contact a local law enforcement agency if downed lines are spotted. NWS releases preliminary reports on 13 Alabama tornadoes from Jan. 12 Triage has been set up near the intersection of Autauga County Road 68 and U.S. Highway 31 in the Marbury Community. There is more damage nationwide due to straight-line winds than any other cause, NWS data shows. Alabama Power has restored power to about 300 homes, while more than 450 remain without power, said Doug Singleton, the chairman of the Montgomery County Commission. NWS said the tornado touched down about 3 a.m. Montgomery County Emergency Management Director Christina Thornton said heavy rescue efforts are going on in the area and portions of Lower Wetumpka Road are closed to U.S. 231. MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - An EF3 tornado striking a densely populated suburb of Birmingham late in the evening during the heart of winter may seem odd, rare, unusual, and unexpected.. Click Here! Keep children and pets away from downed lines. Montgomery County Commission Chairman Doug Singleton said county workers are ready to help in other ways, as well. But were here, and were safe. For more recent tornadoes, clicking deeper provides more details, damage estimates and whether someone was injured or killed in the storm. Initial surveys of the Montgomery-area damage by the National Weather Service found: An EF2 tornado touched down Sunday night in the Macon County community of Milstead with winds of 125 miles per hour. Ivey said she was "heartbroken" and praying for the victims' family, the Flatwood community and those across Alabama affected by the storms. An abandoned home in the Claud Fleahop area was damaged, Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin said. County-level monthly precipitation and temperature data since 1895 provieded by National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). He rode out the storm in his basement and was relieved to find no damage to his house. Reeves' car became stuck underneath the tree. Emergency responders from Montgomery Fire Rescue helped remove a tree that had fallen on a home in the Flatwood community in north Montgomery before rescuing a father and recovering two victims who were part of the same family, MFR Chief of Special Operations Sam Castanza said. A search is underway. We live in an area that sees the ingredients for severe weather and tornadoes come together more than any other part of the country during the cold months of November, December, January, February, March, and April (maps available here). There were no reports of injuries in Autauga County, according to the Autauga County EMA. It crossed the Alabama River into Montgomery County north of the toll bridge downing trees north of the Alabama River Parkway. 0:04. The roads to that neighborhood were expected to be blocked for several hours due to downed trees and powerlines, he said at the time. 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. Initial surveys of . Reed said there is significant damage throughout the Halcyon neighborhood along Meriwether Road and Hollis Drive. It was reported at or near Taylor Road and moving east . There was one report of a rotten tree falling blocking a portion of Upper Kingston Road, said Ernie Baggett, director of the Autauga EMA. Were also ready to deploy to some of the areas like Lightwood. There was wide spread damage caused by downed trees, said Keith Barnett, director of the Elmore County EMA. According to the Montgomery Emergency Management Agency, the damage was concentrated in the following areas: Mayor Steven Reed, members of the city council and others held a news conference Wednesday to update the public. Alabama tornado updates: Damage reported in Selma, Autauga County Gov. Damage in West Alabama: 'This was my dream place': Tornado damages homes in Hale County. MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - An EF3 tornado striking a densely populated suburb of Birmingham late in the evening during the heart of winter may seem odd, rare, unusual, and unexpected. The tornado tracked northeast and crossed Eagle Road and County Road 30 before dissipating just north of Highway 82. A limb busted out the windows in his wifes car, but there was no structural damage to his apartment. . As of 3 p.m., he was still stuck inside his car, as volunteers worked to remove him. Montgomery Public Schools canceled all after-school activities Tuesday, including athletics. NWS previously classified the storm as an EF-1. Some counties where tornado warnings had been issued reported trees down and homes damaged. MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - The National Weather Service's survey teams have confirmed 13 tornadoes of various strengths that swept across Alabama on Jan. 12, killing . Tornado flips cars, damages homes in coastal Florida city Montgomery, AL is a Very High Risk area for tornados. The tornado that tore through Fultondale and Center Point is an example of something that Alabama has become familiar with over the last few decades -- rising tornado numbers no matter the time of day, week, month, or year. Always assume power lines are energized. NEW! Montgomery Assistant Fire Chief Stanley Cooper said the department is all hands on deck to respond to the storm. Climate change may have fueled Alabama storms, experts say, Selma woman who found children after tornado: It was a 100% God thing. Weather service teams are still surveying areas across the state. 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. The National Weather Service Office in Birmingham said a preliminary storm survey showed an EF-1 tornado with winds up to 110 miles per hour damaged the Flatwood community in Montgomery County. The supercell thunderstorm that spawned the storm that caused damage in Montgomery and Elmore counties originally formed over Hattiesburg, Mississippi and caused damage along its path across Alabama. "I put on brakes, but I was too late," Reeves said. The storm also hit at Berry Hill Place. It was a flashpoint of the civil rights movement and where Alabama state troopers viciously attacked Black people advocating for voting rights as they marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge on March 7, 1965. That number is expected to climb, he said, as search and rescue efforts continue. Authorities confirmed he was the father of the 8-year-old boy who died. Please continue using caution, and stay safe out there!" The country club's roof was ripped off in the tornado. Storm damage forced authorities in the coastal city to close major roadways as workers cleared debris and inspected wreckage. *Tornado risk is calculated from the destruction path that has occured within 30 miles of the location. According to the Montgomery Emergency Management Agency, the. More:Mother and son dead after EF-2 tornado hits Montgomery on Nov. 30, More:Alabama tornado season: What we know, storm history, more. . The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. There are two distinct areas where the possible tornado caused damage, he said. NWS said a "large and extremely dangerous tornado" is moving through Selma and urged residents to take shelter. The boy's. The company estimated that all power would be restored to the hardest hit areas of Camden by 2 p.m. and Montgomery by 10 p.m. Wednesday night. More than a dozen tornadoes were reported across Alabama on Thursday. Do not drive over lines or under low-hanging lines. Severe thunderstorms rumbled through Central Alabama on Tuesday morning, touching off numerous tornado warnings, downed trees and power lines, sporadic power outages and torrential rains. At least 7 now dead in Autauga County after storms, tornado strike Alabama, Did historic Selmas homes, monuments withstand possible tornado? My mother described the damage to me when she called, so I was prepared. Severe Weather Outbreak - March 6, 1996 The tornado that killed two in the Flatwood area near Montgomery had winds estimated at 110 mph, the National Weather Service said. There are multiple downed powerlines, and it is considered an emergency situation. There is also damage in the Houston Park neighborhood of Selma and rural areas of Dallas County along Highway 14 around Burnsville. Other damage outside the tornado areas is likely the result of straight-line winds. In 2022, Alabama experienced 92 tornados, which caused $219,000 in damages, according to the Tuscaloosa News. Deacon Clarence Shuler confirmed the woman and boy were members of the same family. 'Significant damage' in Montgomery neighborhood after possible tornado It began at 1120 UTC in eastern Montgomery and traveled east for 6 km, killing two people and injuring seventeen. The warnings then went out for Elmore and Montgomery counties. 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. Selma Mayor James Perkins told WSFA on Thursday that one person was believed to be trapped in a building and another is possibly missing. The storm knocked out power for about 750 homes Wednesday morning, Reed said at a news conference. Severe weather updates: Mother, son killed after dozens of tornadoes The company said repair work is ongoing and that local crews are now being assisted by workers from other areas. Her mother, Donna Perry, was in the house at the time and rode the storm out in a bathroom. Hill said responders are preparing to take several injured to the local hospitals. 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. While its expected for the more densely populated counties to have high tornado counts, its obvious there are corridors that are hotter than the rest of the state. Elmore County was placed under a tornado warning at 10:54 a.m., said Keith Barnett, director of the Elmore County Emergency Management Agency. At 1 p.m., Alabama Power said 3,100 customers were without power in central Alabama. Click Here. Former state Sen. Hank Sanders told the Associated Press he has been told there is damage "all over Selma.". What were doing now is weve still got two rescue units, which are independently staffed. In south Alabamas Coffee County, there are reports of trees and power lines down. Other authorities confirmed the victims were mother and son. Montgomery Advertiser 0:04 1:09 An early Wednesday morning tornado killed two people just north of Montgomery. A tornado tore through the Flatwood community at around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday in north Montgomery County, leaving two people dead and several houses damaged throughout the area. Montgomery is the capital city of the U.S. state of Alabama and the county seat of Montgomery County. Two dead in tornado north of Montgomery on Lower Wetumpka Road Some local school districts are changing their schedules Wednesday after the early-morning storms. I was watching WSFA and they said there was a confirmed tornado in Elmore County near Wetumpka. The boy's father was. I am keeping my constituents and all those affected in my prayers, she said. Holmes said the storm is moving between 45 mph and 50 mph and is moving east. Your subscription makes our journalism possible. At this time, there remain 13,400 APC customers without service in central Alabama. He was thankful that this time it happened in the daylight instead of while everyone was asleep. Local tornado warnings went out beginning about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday with Dallas, Autauga and Lowndes counties going under a warning. In fact, each of the top 10 years for total tornadoes in Alabama has come since 2000! Another hot spot is up in northern Alabama; namely Cullman, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Morgan, Jackson, and DeKalb. Autauga County EMA has informed WSFA that this area is the top concern right now. A relief fund has been set up by the River Region United Way to help those impacted by the storms. EF-3 damage in the Kingston area of Autauga County, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. Several eye witnesses reported seeing a funnel cloud as the storm roared through. He expects traffic to be delayed for several hours. 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. The boy's father was taken to the hospital, authorities said. Exercise caution near chain link fences. As of noon Friday, Alabama Power reportssteady progress to restore electricity to customers. Morris said it was about the fifth time the neighborhood had come together to recover from storms. "A tornado has definitely damaged Selma. 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. 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. Any time you can walk away from something like this, and theres no lives lost, I think its a blessing, Booker said. Residents described the tornado as sounding "like a locomotive" as it approached the area. The account said the storm touched down "moments ago, producing damage.". Alabama tornado count stands at 12 after this week's storms Evan Mealins is the justice reporter for the Montgomery Advertiser. January 6, 2023 A possible tornado spawned in Montgomery, Alabama, as a system of severe weather moved across the Southeast. According to records, the largest tornado in the Montgomery area was an F4 in 2011 that caused 30 injuries and 7 deaths. Thats all the damages that have been reported to us, Montgomery EMA director Christina Thornton said. They include at least some role played by elevation changes up there, less of an impact from the Gulf of Mexico (proximity to the Gulf may temper tornado events in our area), and a more ideal environment for tornadogenesis based on low pressure tracks. There are most definitely hot spots for tornado activity across Alabama. Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. At least 2 killed as tornadoes, wild storms march across Alabama City crews will be out as soon as practical to clean up. Reeves said he sprained his wrist in the crash. Autauga County Sheriff David Hill confirmed that an adult male died as a result of the tornado that hit the county early Thursday afternoon. Kay Ivey. Alabama has tornado hot spots and overall tornado numbers are rising, Fultondale tornado occurred in an area that sees more tornadoes than any other part of the state, The northern half of the state sees substantially more tornadoes than the southern half of the state outside of Baldwin and Mobile counties, Speaking of Baldwin and Mobile countiesthose numbers are so high to due numerous weaker tornadoes spawned by tropical systems, Highly populated counties have higher numbers because tornadoes are seen and reported much more often due to more people living there, Counties in West Alabama may have lower tornado counts due to lower populations and a lack of reliable radar coverage, Mortgage manager shares credit score tips, Montgomery Probate Judge JC Love announces REACCT program, REACCT program launched to protect Montgomery residents from property fraud, CANCELED: Enterprise police searching for missing 12-year-old, ingredients for severe weather and tornadoes. The numbers dont measure up to those of March, April, May, and November, but they are still significant. A tornado ripped through Palm Beach Garden, Florida. "Everywhere I went, whatever direction I went in, there was devastation," Lharris said. According to . "We were sitting there watching the radar. Salers moved into the home nine months ago. This is the same tornado that touched down in Selma about noon and caused extensive damage there. Autauga EMA is also reporting damage along C.R. Weather Prediction Center forecasts the probability that rainfall will exceed flash flood guidance within 25 miles of a point. 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). Stay away from downed lines. 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 . 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. 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. The unforgettable year of 2011 leads the way with a ridiculous 145 tornadoes hitting the state. The Selma Country Club in west Selma was severely damaged by the tornado that touched down shortly after 12 p.m. Thursday. NWS reported that a tornado touched down twice in Selma, at 12:18 and 12:19 p.m. River Region Academy in Montgomery will close at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, an employee for the K-12 private school confirmed. The woman's husband and boy's father was also injured, the sheriff's office said. Multiple reports of extensive property damage are coming into the Autauga EMA following a confirmed tornado that struck the central part of the county. Published: Apr. A burst of severe weather spawned 11 tornadoes in Alabama from Friday through Monday morning, including three cyclones in the Montgomery area. The mayor's office also issued a statement saying emergency response teams are on the ground providing assistance and cleaning right of ways. You can give to the fund by texting DISASTER23 to 41444 or going torruw.org. Concerns about flash flooding overnight in Alabama - al.com Mother and son dead after EF-2 tornado hits Montgomery - Yahoo News Alabama Tornado Statistics Weather.gov > NWS Birmingham, Alabama > Alabama Tornado Statistics Current Hazards Current Conditions Radar Forecasts Rivers and Lakes Climate and Past Weather Local Programs Alabama Tornado Occurrences Alabama Tornado Assorted Statistics Based on BMX/SPC D ata Click Image to Enlarge Alabama Tornado Normals & Records The tornadoes that tore across Alabama alone carved a total path . 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. According to the Montgomery Emergency Management Agency, the damage . 2023 www.montgomeryadvertiser.com. Updated daily from May 1 through Sept. 30. As mentioned above, thats not surprising. He crossed a bridge and saw wind coming from the other direction. 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. ), Wilcox County - Scattered outages (fewer than 50). NWS meteorologist Jason Holmes said Wednesday morning the service was sending two teams to survey damage Wednesday. Check back for details. The tornado hit at 3:14 a.m., according to EMA. Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed posted to social media that Montgomery first responders "have engaged with our neighbors in Selma. Some Larger Population Centers in Risk Area. A possible tornado struck neighborhoods in east Montgomery before dawn Wednesday, damaging homes, ripping down trees, and tossing vehicles. The National Weather Service has dropped some counties . "It was a pretty significant tornado" with "debris lofted in the air to about 10,000 to 15,000 feet," Satterwhite said. Those include Jefferson County and adjacent counties such as Tuscaloosa, Walker, Fayette, and Blount. Leigh Morgan . This storm is a supercell that was out ahead of a line of severe storms. Thank God.. Map indicates the probability of accumulated snow or ices for next 3 days. This data is updated every 5 minutes. The tornado touched down in the 300 block of Williams Drive in the Flatwood community. Elmore and Montgomery counties (Flatwood-Willow Springs tornado). The storm passed over Autaugaville and Prattville according to its radar track. A burst of severe weather spawned 11 tornadoes in Alabama from Friday through Monday morning, including three cyclones in the Montgomery area. All rights reserved. At least reported 34 tornadoes have . There were no injuries reported for Elmore County. Jason Holmes, a meteorologist at the Birmingham branch of the NWS, said Thursday morning that most of central Alabama was at risk of severe weather. Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed's office issued a statement confirming the cancellations at about 12:38 p.m. Thursday as a strong wave of storms pushed toward the area. The Associated Press contributed to this report.Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Brad Harper at [email protected]. It touched down near Kowaliga, crossed the lake and caused structural and roof damage to several homes in the Castaway and Tecumseh points area, mostly the result of fallen trees. The office is asking everyone "to stay calm and stay in place until further notice. The storm also caused widespread damage in south Elmore County along Rifle Range Road and in the Redland area, said Keith Barnett, Elmore County EMA director. Severe Alabama weather: What is a tornado emergency? As storms strike, this interactive map is your guide to impacts and damage reports coming into National Weather Service stations nationwide. 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. Stay away from downed lines. Storm Prediction Center Apr 29, 2023 1630 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook Start: 34.6785/-85.8392 End: 34.7025/-85.7936: 32: 2023 : 3: 3 . 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.". Joshua Douglass with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office said. Authorities said the victims, a 39-year-old woman and 8-year-old boy, were mother and son. Click on each county to see the details. Alexander City Mayor Woody Baird completed a storm damage survey and said there are homes damaged on Cedar Creek Road. Radar. The company said fallen trees had led to downed wires across the area. The National Weather Service in Miami said the tornado hit late Saturday afternoon with winds of 100 mph (160 kph) near Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center and headed northeast toward the coast. Elmore County family trapped for hours after tree fell on home Sunday night, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Possible tornado damages homes, park in east Montgomery - MSN 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. An early Wednesday morning tornado killed two people just north of Montgomery. WATCH: Drone footage shows Alabama tornado devastation in Selma. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office confirmed to FOX Weather that the two people killed in the Flatwood community north of Montgomery, Alabama, during an EF-2 tornado early Wednesday morning were identified as a 39-year-old woman and her 8-year-old son.