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.
Cell tower down on HWY 280 south/east bound is blocked in Smith station.@spann @NWSBirmingham @simpsonwhnt pic.twitter.com/lmKuqS272f
— bethenders (@bethenders3) March 3, 2019
Our hearts go out to those who lost their lives in the storms that hit Lee County today. Praying for their families & everyone whose homes or businesses were affected. Officials from @AlabamaEma & other agencies are quickly working to provide assistance. — Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) March 3, 2019
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.