Hurricane Outbreak Alabama, Georgia; At least 5 dead | Alabama news

By Kevin McGill, associated Press

Tornado Tornado Sirens and Howling Winds Roar in Parts of Western Georgia There was a severe thunderstorm in the southern states early Friday, which included Alabama Where at least five people died, which are scattered in houses, scattered trees and uprooted businesses.

Meteorologists said a large, dangerous tornado swept through Metro Atlanta’s Couta County around midnight Friday, sparking a tornado emergency for Newnan City and surrounding communities. Several reported trees and power lines were downed.

Newnan police asked residents to “take to the streets” in a Facebook post, stating that emergency officials were surveying the area. Newton Utilities said the storm overcame their phone and Internet services, but they were “fully aware of the down line, gas leaks and numerous inaccessible roads.”

Couta County said its public schools would remain closed on Friday due to extensive damage.

Newnan Mayor Keith Brady said no fatal incidents were immediately reported.

Officials said the storm followed a series of bursts in Alabama on Thursday, which an official said traveled about 100 miles (160 kilometers) across the state.

In eastern Alabama, Calhoun County Sheriff Matthew Wade said a twister killed five people who cut a diagonal route across the county, mostly striking rural areas – something that likely outnumbered those who died. Prevents this from happening.

At an evening briefing, Wade said, “Our hearts, our thoughts, and our prayers go out to the families, and we’re going to do our best to love them.”

John D. Block, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Birmingham, said a “super sale” of storms led to several twisters.

Huge areas of Shelby County near Birmingham – the state’s largest city – were badly damaged.

In the city of Pelham, James Dunaway said he initially ignored the tornado warning when he got on his phone. But then he heard the sound of Twister approaching, leaving the upstairs bedroom where he was watching TV and sneaking into a hallway – before the storm blew up the roof and sides of his house. His bedroom was completely left open.

“I’m very lucky to be alive,” 75-year-old Dunaway told Al.com.

In Shelby County, firefighters outside a flattened home in Eagle Point subdivision said the family living there made it out alive. The roofs of the surrounding houses were missing or their other stories were missing.

In the town of Centricil farther west, south of Tuscalcosa, Cindy Smithman and her family and neighbors were passing over her house as lizards in their underground storm pit.

A tree fell on the shelter’s door, trapping the eight inside for about 20 minutes until someone came to help free the chain, he said, adding that the 62-year-old smithman toppled the trees, overturned the cars And destroyed a workshop on the property.

“I’m just glad we’re alive,” she said. “Praise the Lord.”

Mayor Mike Oakley of Centerville told ABC 33/40 News that a local airport was hit. “We have airplanes torn like toys. We have found homes here that are completely destroyed, trees down, power lines down. It is very destructive. “

De Bloc said there would have been eight tornadoes in Alabama on Thursday. He said investigative teams would review eight suspected tornado tracks, and the final twister number would depend on whether any of those tracks could be connected.

First Lady Jill Biden postponed her trip to Birmingham and Jasper, Alabama, as she planned on Friday due to severe weather, her office said in a news release.

“Thinking of everyone in Alabama and all of them south affected by the severe weather tonight. My prayers are with the grieving families. Please be safe,” Biden tweeted late Thursday.

Earlier, Alabama Ivey’s K Ivey issued an emergency declaration for 46 counties, and authorities opened shelters in and around Birmingham.

Other parts of South America were also affected, some of which were threatened by dangerous thunderstorms and floods. Tennessee, Kentucky And the Carolinas.

In addition to deaths in Alabama, Mississippi The death occurred on Wednesday from the storm. Esther Jerrell, 62, was killed when her mobile home collapsed at Wilkinson County in that state, according to an official.

McGill reported from New Orleans. Associated Press writer Kim Chandler in Montgomery and photographer Butch Dill in Alabama contributed to this report.

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