The weekend storm caused damage throughout the state and was responsible for more than a dozen possible tornadoes that formed. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service, Storm Prediction Center)
At least two people were killed Saturday in severe weather in Alabama that spawned dozens of tornadoes and left damage all over the state.
Gov. Kay Ivey said in a statement Sunday that the two people had died in Plantersville in Dallas County and Winterboro In Talladega County. The statement also said 52 of Alabama’s 67 counties reported damage from the storms.
“Our damage assessment continues,” Ivey said in the news release. “The sun has risen in Alabama, though. We pray for those lives we lost, as well as those who were injured. And we pray for our first responders, emergency management officials and linemen who are doing incredible work on the ground right now.”
The National Weather Service (NWS) said it tracked at least 16 possible tornadoes in central Alabama on radar Saturday. It plans to dispatch multiple teams to affected areas to survey the damage and visually confirm the formation of the tornadoes from radar.
Two tornadoes were reported in Tuscaloosa County, one near Buel in Tuscaloosa County and a second around the Northport area. The NWS also said there could have been one in Pickens County.
“Shelby County was also affected,” said Jason Holmes, a meteorologist with the NWS. “Calera was impacted. There was another possible track west of Calera, and there might be a third one that tracked into the southwest portion there, from Bibb County. The surveys will define the start and endpoints.”
The National Weather Service from Mobile reported gusty winds but little damage.
The office in Huntsville reported a possible tornado in south Cullman County as well as some isolated flooding because of the heavy rain.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.