West Alabama Damage Reports Roll In After Day Of Severe Weather

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Some severe storms are moving through the Tuscaloosa Patch coverage area and we will provide live updates through the day as the threat increases into the afternoon and evening hours.

Click here for a full list of storm shelters in Tuscaloosa County

(7:10 p.m.) — As night falls on west Alabama, much of the area has been given the "all clear," with no fatalities reported during Thursday's significant severe weather event. Tuscaloosa County is still under a severe thunderstorm warning, though.

Here's a county-by-county breakdown of damage reports across the Tuscaloosa Patch coverage area. To report storm damage or other updates, email me at ryan.phillips@patch.com

Tuscaloosa County

• Old Fayette Road was closed from Brady Montgomery Road to Traweek Road as the flood-prone area saw high water rise with the heavy rain. \Tuscaloosa County EMA crews responded to Groundhog Road for reports of flooding.
• Storm debris was reported on Highway 69 at mile marker 157.3 on Guy Road in Northport.
• High water could be seen at Manderson Landing in Tuscaloosa on the banks of the rain-swelled Black Warrior River.

Bibb County

• The Centreville airport reportedly suffered major damage, with the city's mayor telling ABC 33/40's Annie Mapp that it is being viewed as a "total loss." Airplanes were reportedly strewn through the heavily-wooded area.
• Mapp also provided reports of people living near the Centreville Airport who were trapped in their homes, while a nearby trailer park is "completely gone."
• WVUA's Keith Dobbins published pictures of structure damage on Old Highway 82, near Centreville.
• The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency reported Alabama Highway 5 south of Brent saw several trees down in the roadway, along with mentioning reports of commercial vehicles that had been blown off the roadway due to heavy winds on U.S. Highway 82 east of Centreville.
• Power lines and trees down were reported down on Alabama 382 (Montgomery Road).
• Storm debris was reported on Alabama Highway 219 near Morgan Avenue in Centreville.

Hale County

• Tree damage was reported County Road 49 and County Road 50.
• Extensive tornado damage was reported in the communities of Sawyerville, Jerusalem, Mt. Hermon, and Bucksnort. Injuries and property damage have been reported.
• ALEA reports trees down on County Road 21 and County Road 4.

(6:11 p.m.) — Tuscaloosa County EMA says storm shelters in the city are now closing, while the latest numbers show power outages countywide have decreased by about half to 756. Conversely, in Bibb County, where West Blocton, Brent and Centreville were all in the path of a dangerous tornado, more than a third of the county's residents are currently without power.

(5:00 p.m.) — The latest numbers show 1,452 Alabama Power customers currently without electricity in Tuscaloosa County, along with 767 in Hale County and 2,847 in Jefferson. The latest reports from the Anniston Star in Calhoun County also report a total of four deaths confirmed thus far after a tornado hit Ohatchee.

(4:15 p.m.) — A new Tornado Warning has been issued for the city of Tuscaloosa, the city of Northport and the University of Alabama campus until 5:15 p.m. This warning also includes a large part of Tuscaloosa County, including Brookwood, Coaling, Romulus and the Sipsey Valley High School area. The tornado is expected to impact Ralph shortly in the southernmost part of Tuscaloosa.

(4 p.m.) — Tuscaloosa remains under a Tornado Watch and Flash Flood Warning through much of the evening, but no damage has been reported locally. However, some damage has already been reported in West Blocton in Bibb County.

(2:50 p.m.) — A Tornado Warning has been issued for north central Tuscaloosa County until 3:45 p.m. Residents are advised to take shelter immediately.

(2:30 p.m.) — A Flash Flood Warning is now in effect for Tuscaloosa County until 6:30 p.m. as heavy rain continues to fall across west Alabama. In its latest report, the National Weather Service office in Birmingham says 2-3 inches of rain have already fallen across the area.

A Tornado Warning in effect for Pickens County has been allowed to expire, while tree damage reports are already coming in from Hale County — a week after a tornado caused considerable damage in Moundville.

No storm damage has been reported thus far in Tuscaloosa County, however flash flooding due to heavy rain has been confirmed in certain low-lying, flood-prone areas. Tuscaloosa EMA closed the section of Old Fayette Road between Brady Montgomery Road and Traweek Road due to creeks rising along the stretch of road, which is prone to flood during heavy rain events.

WVUA 23's Chelsea Barton reports says trees are down on County Road 50 in Hale County, but no structure damage or injuries have been reported. A tornado was reported on the ground near the Phipps community of Hale County but it is still too early to tell the full extent of any damage.

Flooding on Old Fayette Road in Tuscaloosa

(11:30 a.m.) — The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for Tuscaloosa County until 8 p.m. Thursday. Be sure to follow us here for additional updates.

(10:50 a.m) — The University of Alabama announced it will suspend normal operations today at noon today through 5 a.m. Friday due to the threat of severe weather for the region. Campus storm shelters will open if and when a tornado watch is issued by the National Weather Service. The shelters will be available to all students, faculty and staff, including those who live off campus.

The Tuscaloosa Public Library also said it will close its locations at 11 a.m. today.

(10:30 a.m.) — The City of Tuscaloosa said it will open its storm shelters beginning at 3 p.m. today as the threat of severe weather is expected to intensify in the afternoon hours.

These shelters can be found at the following locations:

• Tuscaloosa Magnet School
• Skyland Elementary
• Northridge Middle School
• Paul W. Bryant High School
• Tuscaloosa Career and Technology Academy
• University Place Elementary
• Alberta School of Performing Arts
• McDonald Hughes Community Center (pets welcome)

(9: 30 a.m.) — The National Weather Service forecast office in Birmingham says a couple severe storm may occur this morning with a threat of a tornadoes, damaging winds, and hail up to the size of a quarter size. Meteorologists predict the morning threat will mainly be for areas near and west of Interstate 65 through around 11 am.

What's likely most important to note is the possibility for a significant severe weather event from around 11 a.m. through midnight, with the greatest threat expected to be along and northwest of Interstate 59. Forecasts predict this system could produce strong tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail .

The NWS has also issued a Wind Advisory from 11 a.m. through 10 p.m. for most of central Alabama, excluding areas generally south of Interstate 85.

The Tuscaloosa County Commission is the latest to announce adjustments to plans due to severe weather, saying the county courthouse, annex, and tag offices will close today at noon.

In an effort to keep locals abreast of severe weather and other emergency scenarios, Tuscaloosa County EMA offers a free service called TuscALERT. This free service allows the user to select the weather alerts they are interested in, with time-sensitive notifications sent by text, email, and/or phone call.

Click here to sign up for TuscALERT.

As with other severe weather events, it will be important to charge all of your devices ahead of time in the event you lose power and, if possible, have access to a NOAA weather radio. You can also click here for a detailed list of preparedness tips from the National Weather Service.

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com.