Severe weather wreaks havoc across Alabama, leaving a trail of destruction with tornadoes, widespread power outages, and flooding, causing chaos and posing risks to residents.
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Severe weather has struck central and south Alabama, causing significant damage and posing risks to residents across the state. Reports of tornadoes, hail, fallen trees, and power outages have been pouring in throughout the day.
Alabama Power has reported that approximately 25,500 customers in central Alabama are currently without electricity. The affected areas include Montgomery County, Dallas County, Lowndes County, Butler County, Wilcox County, and Autauga County. The power company is actively working to assess the damage and restore service as soon as it is safe to do so.
Barbour County, especially the city of Eufaula, has suffered damage in several areas. Damage to Paul Lee Parkway, State Docks Road, Randolph Avenue, Hunters Inlet, and Shadow Moss has been confirmed by the Eufaula Police Department. Flooding has also begun, most notably on Eufaula Avenue. A tornado inflicted building damage and brought down multiple trees in the neighborhood, according to Mayor Jack Tibbs, resulting in one minor injury.
In Crenshaw County, the Emergency Management Agency (EMA) has advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel due to fallen trees and downed power lines throughout the county. The EMA director, Elliott Jones, emphasized the dangerous conditions and the need for patience as workers strive to restore power to over 4,000 residences.
Residents of Perry and northern Dallas counties in Alabama were urged to remain indoors due to a severe thunderstorm with the potential for destructive winds, heavy lightning, and large hail. This warning remained in effect until 3:45 p.m.
According to reports from Henry County in South Alabama, a tornado touched down in the Abbeville region, inflicting damage to at least one property and leaving debris along U.S. Highway 431. Fortunately, no injuries have been recorded.
In Lowndes County, a fallen tree blocked U.S. Highway 80 near the Lowndes Interpretive Center, resulting in traffic congestion. Law enforcement agencies are working together to clear the road and alleviate the situation.
Montgomery County and Pike Road have also experienced downed trees and power lines, along with hail, as confirmed by Montgomery County EMA Director Christina Thornton.
The severe weather conditions are expected to persist through early Thursday morning. Although a lull in the storms is currently observed in central Alabama, another cluster of storms is predicted to form and move into the area later tonight, potentially bringing damaging winds, hail, and a lower tornado risk compared to earlier in the day.
Residents are advised to stay informed about weather watches and warnings through multiple reliable sources and to have their electronic devices charged. It is crucial to have a plan in place in case severe weather threatens their location.
Flooding remains a concern, and residents should respond promptly to any flood warnings. These weather events can cause rapid rises in water levels, leading to dangerous situations.
The timing of the severe weather is uncertain due to the likelihood of multiple rounds of thunderstorms over the next 24 hours. The evening and nighttime are expected to be particularly active periods. While the risk of severe weather may decrease going forward, there is still a possibility of strong to severe thunderstorms, including damaging winds and large hail, depending on how each round develops.
Rain chances will remain high, and the risk of flooding will persist as each round of storms affects the region. The specific timing and coverage of rainfall in the forecast may change as we approach the weekend, but it is not anticipated to result in all-day rain or washouts. Dry intervals are expected between showers and thunderstorms, providing opportunities for outdoor activities. Temperature variations will depend on the rainfall and storm activity, with some communities experiencing cooler or warmer temperatures due to rain and cloud cover.
The severe storms sweeping across the South have caused significant damage across multiple states. Tornado warnings have been issued in southeast Alabama.
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