Tornadoes Rip Through Alabama; School Closings and Delays

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Powerful storms blew through Alabama Monday afternoon and overnight, killing at least three people in the state, overturning cars and destroying homes. Possible tornadoes hit Limestone and Madison counties before plowing through parts of Tuscaloosa and Jefferson counties.

Governor Robert Bentley has declared a state of emergency for all Alabama counties. Bentley says 100 national guard members are on standby and ready to help if necessary.

North central Alabama is expecting another round of severe weather Tuesday afternoon. Strong storms will move through bringing the threat of strong winds, hail, heavy rain and more tornadoes. The storms are expected in the Birmingham area after 3 p.m.

School schedule changes on Tuesday include:

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute — Closing at 2pm

Birmingham Public Library — Closing at 3pm

UAB suspending campus operations at 2pm. The Kirklin Clinic closing at 3pm. UAB Hospital remains open. More at uab.edu/emergency

University of Montevallo — Closing at 1pm

Samford University — Closing at 1pm

Alabama School of Fine Arts — Dismissing at 1pm, Tuesday

Bessemer City Schools — Closed Tuesday

Birmingham City Schools — Elementary and Middle, Dismissing at 1pm, High Schools at 1:30pm, Tuesday

Briarwood Christian School – HIgh School will dismiss at 12:00, Jr. High will dismiss at 12:30, K4-TK Normal Carpool, Grades 1 – 6 will dismiss at 1:00 from classrooms, Tuesday

Creative Montessori School — closing at 1pm, Tuesday

Etowah County Schools — Closed Tuesday

Gadsden City Schools — Dismiss at 2pm, Tuesday

Homewood City Schools — Dismissing at 1pm, Tuesday

Hoover City Schools — Dismissing three hours early, Tuesday

Jefferson County Schools — Closed Tuesday

John Carroll Catholic High School – dismiss at 1:30 pm, Tuesday. After School Care and all after school activities have been cancelled

Leeds City Schools — Closing at 2pm, Tuesday

Shelby County Schools — Dismissing at 1pm, Tuesday

Vestavia Hills City Schools — Dismissing 2 hours early, Tuesday

 

You can find additional closing information here.

~ April 29, 2014

 

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