Tornado Rips Through Wetumpka Causing Extensive Damage

| January 19, 2019 

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2019/01/Wetumpka_photo_.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:1200;s:6:"height";i:675;s:4:"file";s:27:"2019/01/Wetumpka_photo_.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:12:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"Wetumpka_photo_-336x189.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:189;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:5:"large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"Wetumpka_photo_-771x434.jpg";s:5:"width";i:771;s:6:"height";i:434;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"Wetumpka_photo_-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:27:"Wetumpka_photo_-768x432.jpg";s:5:"width";i:768;s:6:"height";i:432;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"Wetumpka_photo_-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:27:"Wetumpka_photo_-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:27:"Wetumpka_photo_-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:27:"Wetumpka_photo_-553x311.jpg";s:5:"width";i:553;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"Wetumpka_photo_-470x265.jpg";s:5:"width";i:470;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:27:"Wetumpka_photo_-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:27:"Wetumpka_photo_-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:27:"Wetumpka_photo_-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] => Caleb Turrentine
        )

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

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

)
1637520732 
1547917510

A tornado ravaged through parts of Wetumpka Saturday afternoon significantly damaging buildings, churches, and homes. Radar confirmed a tornado on the ground around 3 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

Numerous reports show substantial damage to homes, overturned cars, and downed trees. Photos on social media show the front section of the First Baptist Church destroyed.

Elmore County Community Hospital is treating seven people with injuries from the tornado and one person has been transported to a Montgomery hospital, said James Oliver, the hospital’s emergency coordinator. Most of the injuries are minor to moderate, he said.

 

The Wetumpka Police Department warned residents to stay in their homes and off the roadways.

“There is a big issue right now with people walking around and driving to see the damage, which is horrific. Power lines are down everywhere! Please, let First Responders do their work as they search for trapped and injured people in multiple businesses. This is a very serious incident, and unless you are there to help, please go back home.”

Gov. Kay Ivey deployed the Alabama Emergency Management Agency to Elmore County to assist with recovery efforts.

 

As of 4:30 pm, the strong storms had passed through central Alabama, but cities in south Alabama such as Eufaula, Troy and Wedowee still are at risk or heavy rain and damaging winds. After the storms pass, temperatures are expected to drop throughout the state tonight.

“The low tonight will be in the 30s in most of Alabama. Temperatures will go down hill throughout the day on Sunday,” she said.

A National Weather Service team is scheduled to survey damage in Wetumpka on Sunday.

 

 

Former Rep. Matt Gaetz withdraws as Trump’s attorney general nominee

Allegations of sex trafficking and drug use had stirred controversy over Matt Gaetz's nomination as attorney general.

This year’s FAFSA is officially open. Early review says it’s ‘a piece of cake’

The FAFSA form is now open to students hoping to get help paying for college in the 2025-26 academic year. Students can expect a much smoother process compared to the last cycle.

He was stuck in a hospital for 8 months. How states can fail people with disabilities

In Georgia and other states, the federal government oversees the treatment of people with mental illness and developmental disabilities, because the states have been unable to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the subsequent Olmstead ruling.

Foreign nationals propel U.S. science. Visa limits under Trump could change that

The incoming Trump administration is likely to crack down on the H-1B visas used by tech companies and research institutions to hire top talent from other countries.

The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, for alleged war crimes in the Gaza Strip.

Are you a caregiver for an adult? How has it changed you?

Many who care for family members and loved ones at home say it can be very stressful but also rich in meaning. Share your story and insights.

More Front Page Coverage