Severe Storms Barrel Through Alabama

 1585635671 
1615994263

Clouds form near Livingston, AL.

Billy Kosco

Alabama forecasters are expecting a wave of tornadoes Wednesday to be especially dangerous as the powerful storm system makes its way through the Deep South and Mid-South. The greatest impacts are projected for late afternoon into the early morning hours Thursday. Officials say large hail the size of tennis balls and winds up to 80 mph are possible.

Gov. Kay Ivey declared a State of Emergency Tuesday and urged residents to take the threat seriously. Several schools and vaccination clinics closed early on Wednesday. UAB canceled classes and closed outpatient clinics at noon.

UAB will reschedule appointments at the Hoover Met, Parker High School, and UAB Highlands outdoor COVID vaccine clinics.

Birmingham opened shelters around the city Wednesday. In a morning press conference, Fire Chief Cory Moon urged people to prepare immediately.

“Make sure they have a safe place identified in their homes. Go over that plan with your families, just make sure you’re staying safe,” he said. “If you don’t have to travel during the storm, if you don’t have any urgent needs, make sure you stay away from the roads.”

Birmingham Storm Shelters

  • Jimmie Hudson Park – 305 Pratt Highway
  • Pratt City Park – 1331 3rd Street
  • Smithfield Estates – 1707-B Huntington Drive
  • South Hampton School – 565 Sheridan Road

More Storm Shelters

  • Bessemer – 651 9th Avenue SW
  • Trinity West Homewood – 914 Oak Grove Road

Andrew Yeager contributed reporting.

 

An inside look at an AP African American Studies class

As Southern political leaders continue to take aim at critical race theory in education, students at Baton Rouge Magnet High call the AP pilot class empowering.

Volunteers are driving in to offer hot meals, necessities to Mississippi tornado survivors

The gym of a Rolling Fork school has become a makeshift hub to get much-needed emergency aid, meals and hope for thousands affected by the tornadoes.

UAB tops Utah Valley, sets up Conference USA showdown in NIT

UAB beat Utah Valley 88-86 in overtime to set up an all-Conference USA final in the NIT. UAB will face North Texas for the fourth time this season on Thursday for the NIT championship.

As midwifery evolves, this Mississippi museum is preserving the history of granny midwives

Granny midwives were some of the first to universalize the practice of midwifery in the South. A permanent installation hopes to share their history.

In Rolling Fork, a congregation comes together to save a century-old church

After a deadly EF-4 tornado, a Mississippi town finds hope in the hands of volunteers.

‘We’re going to help them’: How Mississippians are banding together after a devastating tornado

Officials, aid organizations and volunteers sprung into action on Saturday to help Mississippi begin rebuilding in the aftermath of a powerful tornado.

More Environment Coverage