Storm Damage: National Weather Service To Survey 7 Counties

BIRMINGHAM, AL — After severe storms hot most of the state Monday, the National Weather Service in Birmingham will survey damage in seven Alabama counties Tuesday. Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms were reported throughout the night MOnday, causing extensive damage in some areas.

Two people were killed by a tornado in north Lawrence County late Monday, according to meteorologist James Spann. The fatalities, identified by officials as husband and wife, were on the north side of Lawrence County Road 265 near Town Creek. Four others on the road were critically injured, including a 7-year-old child who was transported to Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham.

Significant tornado damage was also reported last night from a long-track supercell storm just west of Demopolis, and near Montevallo and Ashby in parts of Bibb and Shelby counties.

The NWS said in a statement Tuesday that it will send two teams to survey four counties each. One team will look at Sumter, Greene, Hale and Perry counties, while the second team will survey Bibb, Chilton and Shelby counties.

Most of the severe weather damage across Central Alabama was associated with the long track supercell that started in Mississippi and tracked into Southwest Alabama, the report said. The cell entered Sumter County and tracked to Shelby County.

Gov. Kay Ivey issued a statement Tuesday morning addressing the damage from Monday's storms.

"This morning, I began the process of calling local leaders who were affected by last night’s storm. I join the community of Town Creek in grieving the loss of a husband and wife," Ivey said. "While most of us slept through the storm, a family is waking up today devastated. I will be praying for their family and the community, and I offer any assistance from the state that is available as they start the process of rebuilding."

Ivey added, "I urge everyone to remember those who were affected, whether it be those who have lost family members, those who were injured or those who lost their homes. We must support our neighbors during the days to come and remind them they are not alone. I also want to thank Alabama’s first responders who were out in the middle of the storm, risking their own lives, to protect and aid their fellow Alabamians."