At least three people have been killed and multiple injured reported after Thursday’s deadly tornadoes shattered Alabama, knocking down trees, tearing down houses and removing thousands of people from power.
Firefighters said a family was able to safely escape their demolished home in the Eagle Point subdivision near Birmingham. In the nearby town of Pelham, Shelby County, authorities posted videos and photos showing large trees blocking damaged roads and utility poles that loomed menacingly down the streets full of rubbish from heavily damaged homes. More than 20,000 customers were without electricity in the state.
“We can confirm that the local residential structures have been completely destroyed,” Shelby County Sheriff John Samaniego told the Associated Press.
Search and rescue efforts were complicated as the intense climate continued to grow throughout the region.
The storm caused extensive damage, including to numerous homes and a civic center, police said. Utility lines had also been knocked down along several roads, police said, warning people to stay off the road and away from tornado-damaged areas.
At least three fatalities and an unknown number of injuries were reported.
Maj Maj Clay Hammac, of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, said “they have been told they are ready for another round of storms.” According to the Huntsville National Weather Service, up to 10 inches of rain is expected with a maximum amount possible north of Alabama.
The destruction was part of a wide strip of violent climate that swept the deep south. Meteorologists had warned of dangerous storms, rapid flooding and possible twisters from eastern Mississippi to western Georgia and north to Tennessee and Kentucky. Flood warnings and clocks spread to Western Carolina.
Mississippi also had a storm-related death Wednesday. Ester Jarrell, 62, died when a large tree fell on her mobile home after heavy rains soaked the ground, a Wilkinson County official told the Associated Press.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey issued an emergency declaration for 46 counties as the weather approached, and officials opened shelters in and around Birmingham. Ivey said “significant and dangerous weather continues to affect areas of Alabama,” in accordance with a statement on Twitter.
“Tragically, we receive reports of loss of life. Unfortunately, the day is not over yet.