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] => 
        )

)
1657033084 
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.

 

 

Mariska Hargitay walks a fine line in ‘My Mom Jayne’

It's natural to feel some skepticism when a celebrity makes a documentary about their own family. But Law & Order star Mariska Hargitay' tells a story that is both effective and empathetic.

Ukraine says it struck a Russian airbase as Russia sent drones into Ukraine

Ukraine said it struck a Russian airbase on Saturday, while Russia continued to pound Ukraine with hundreds of drones overnight, dashing hopes for a breakthrough in efforts to end the war.

‘Buy now, pay later’ purchases can now affect your credit score. Here’s what that means

Services that split up payments into installments are increasingly popular, especially among young and low-to-middle income shoppers. But now the FICO credit scoring company will be tracking that debt.

Will Trump’s megabill help Democrats win the House?

Democrats feel that Trump's tax and spending bill gives them an opening ahead of the 2026 midterms. But if they want to win back the House, they're going to have to get their own house in order first.

At least 24 dead in extreme Texas flooding. Several people remain missing

At least 24 people are dead following extreme flooding that slammed Texas Hill Country overnight on Friday, according to officials. At least 20 girls from a summer camp remain missing.

Trump says ceasefire deal is near as Israeli strikes kill 138 Palestinians in Gaza

More than 60 of those killed were waiting for aid, according to Palestinian health officials. President Trump said Friday that talks over a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas are at a crucial stage.

More Front Page Coverage