Tornado Destroys Homes in Alabama as Violent Storms Hit Southeast
NASHVILLE — Homes and businesses in Alabama were damaged and some even leveled on Thursday as a tornado touched down near Birmingham, leaving residents to contend with piles of debris and the loss of electricity and the authorities to assess the severity of the devastation.
The damage struck as forecasters warned of a possible outbreak of tornadoes threatened by severe thunderstorms moving through a swath of the Southeast. Officials in several states urged residents to brace for hail, powerful winds and possible flash floods just days after facing a similar bout of destructive weather.
The National Weather Service has issued tornado warnings in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina, urging residents facing the most imminent danger to “TAKE COVER NOW!” Forecasters have also warned that other portions of those states, as well as Tennessee and Mississippi, will also see storms that bring a high risk of tornadoes, as well as flash floods. A tornado watch remains in effect until 8 p.m.
The National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado touched down shortly after 1 p.m. in an area southwest of Birmingham, and warned that it was moving toward the city and its suburbs.
In and around Birmingham, homes were destroyed by the tornado. The police in Pelham, Ala., a suburb south of Birmingham, said that some roads were left impassable by downed trees and utility lines. More than 16,000 customers have lost electricity, according to PowerOutage.us. The outages have been centered in Shelby and Bibb Counties, just south of Birmingham.
“Our priority at the moment is identifying those citizens in need of emergency medical attention,” John Samaniego, the sheriff in Shelby County, said in a statement, adding that there had been “significant tornado damage,” including residences that had been “completely destroyed.”
He added, “This search and outreach effort will continue throughout the night and into the early morning hours.”
Officials warned residents to prepare as schools and government offices closed early. “Stay home, stay safe, stay informed,” Andy Berke, the mayor of Chattanooga, Tenn., said on Twitter. In Birmingham, the city government opened safe rooms and put up barricades in areas prone to flooding.
On Thursday morning, Gov. Kay Ivey of Alabama declared a state of emergency in over 20 counties and pressed residents to “to closely monitor the weather system,” especially if their areas are under high risk.
The threat of destructive weather has returned a week after some of the same areas were hit by an outbreak of powerful storms that swept through Mississippi and Alabama before moving on to Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia. In January, a tornado in Alabama led to the death of a 14-year-old boy living in Fultondale, a suburb of Birmingham; he had been sheltering in a basement with his family members when a tree fell on the house.
Meteorologists acknowledged the likelihood that residents were fatigued by the possibility of dangerous storms returning so soon but urged them not to dampen their vigilance.
“High and moderate risks are not issued because someone ‘feels’ like it,” the National Weather Service in Birmingham said in a social media post. “There is a reason. Shear is there, instability is there, moisture, lift, it’s all there. Will they work out just right and give us those strong and terrible storms? Well, we’ll see. But all the ingredients are there to do just that.”
In 2020, the United States saw almost 1,000 tornadoes and 76 tornado deaths, according to preliminary counts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
“You really need to take action when the warnings are issued and not wait until you can see the danger,” said Bill Bunting, chief of forecast operations at the National Weather Service.
Mr. Bunting said he recommends people have multiple ways to receive information on weather warnings such as using a weather radio for backup, should they be unable to use their smartphone. He also recommends people map out safe places to shelter, such as the lowest floor in their home and away from windows and outside walls.
The National Weather Service suggests people shelter in closets, bathrooms or an “interior hall.” Those living in mobile homes should make sure to find a sturdier building or storm shelter. If outside, people should locate a nearby ditch or a low spot and lie flat with their heads covered for protection.
Officials have also warned residents to have an emergency supply kit on hand, complete with items like a first aid kit, nonperishable food, water and batteries.
“In many areas there will be more than one round of storms,” Mr. Bunting said. “So, you’ve got to keep your guard up until all the threats have passed.”
Allyson Waller contributed reporting from Conroe, Texas.
