Multiple Fatalities Reported After Tornadoes Rip Through Lee County

| March 3, 2019 

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2019/03/Lee_County_damage.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:960;s:6:"height";i:720;s:4:"file";s:29:"2019/03/Lee_County_damage.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:12:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:29:"Lee_County_damage-336x252.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:252;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:5:"large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:29:"Lee_County_damage-771x578.jpg";s:5:"width";i:771;s:6:"height";i:578;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:29:"Lee_County_damage-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:12:"medium_large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:29:"Lee_County_damage-768x576.jpg";s:5:"width";i:768;s:6:"height";i:576;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"Lee_County_damage-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:29:"Lee_County_damage-600x338.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:338;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:29:"Lee_County_damage-600x600.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:29:"Lee_County_damage-415x311.jpg";s:5:"width";i:415;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:29:"Lee_County_damage-353x265.jpg";s:5:"width";i:353;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:28:"ab-block-post-grid-landscape";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:29:"Lee_County_damage-600x400.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:400;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:25:"ab-block-post-grid-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:29:"Lee_County_damage-600x600.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:29:"Lee_County_damage-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}}
        )

    [_media_credit] => Array
        (
            [0] => Steven Macleroy 
        )

    [_navis_media_credit_org] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [_navis_media_can_distribute] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

)
1678680942 
1551640724

Several are dead in Lee County after multiple tornadoes touched down Sunday in southeast Alabama. The death toll stands at 22 with more expected as search crews look for more victims. Many are believed to be injured and still missing. Officials with the Lee County Emergency Management Agency say they are in search and rescue mode.

John De Block, a warning coordination meteorologist with NWS Birmingham, says survey crews from Jefferson County will head to Lee County early Monday morning. The strength of the storm was at least an EF3, according to De Block, which can bring wind speeds of up to 165 miles per hour and causes severe damage.

NWS confirmed tornadoes touched down in Russell, Macon and Barbour Counties along with two tornadoes in Lee County. This left damage to the Weedon Field Airport in Eufaula.

The Lee County Emergency Management Agency says the Smith Station Volunteer Fire Department Station is being designated as the area for citizens affected by the storms to seek assistance with sheltering or other unmet needs. The EMA says they are currently in search and rescue mode. And the NWS says they plan to send three survey teams Monday to assess damage in Autauga, Macon, Lee & Barbour Counties. Road closures include Lee Road 165/166 at Lee Road 40. These roads will remain closed until the storm debris and damage assessments are made. Governor Kay Ivey tweeted her condolences following the storms and warns of the possibility of more severe weather including a freeze warning.

All Lee County schools will be closed Monday. Providence Baptist Church in Beauregard has been opened as a Red Cross shelter for those that may have been impacted by the storms. The county sheriff’s office on Twitter encourages people to use online resources such as the Red Cross to locate loved ones who may be missing. 

 

NASA targets Artemis II crewed moon mission for April 1 launch

A six-day launch window opens on April 1 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The lunar orbital mission would be the first time humans have returned to the moon since Apollo 17 in 1972.

Auburn football player uses NIL funds to open a community hub in Birmingham

Jourdin Crawford, a freshman defensive lineman at Auburn, used earnings from a Name, Image, and Likeness deal to give back to his hometown.

Fear of Iranian mines in the Strait of Hormuz could further slow the flow of oil

Attacks by Iran have already nearly halted the flow of oil through the vital waterway as commercial ship crews fear being hit by missiles, drones or mines.

Bruno Mars adds yet another milestone to his career with ‘The Romantic’

Bruno Mars is the most-listened to artist in the world on Spotify. He's won 16 Grammys. In case you thought there were no battles left for him to win, this week he unlocked another achievement.

There’s more than one path to a confessional song

On new albums by viral sensation Yebba and studio whiz Pimmie, it's clear modern R&B has been clearing space for vastly different stripes of singer-songwriter.

Suspect in attack at Michigan synagogue is dead, officials say

Security officers at Temple Israel had "engaged the threat" that apparently started with a vehicle ramming into the building, according to Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard.

More Environment Coverage