Tornado Slams Small Alabama Town

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The National Weather Service estimates about 58 tornados hit the South last night, and more severe weather is on the way. Up to 18 of the tornados were in Central Alabama, where they damaged buildings and knocked down trees and power lines. A tornado with wind speeds of up to 100 miles per hour hit Kimberly, a town of less than 3,000 people. Two of its most important buildings were damaged — one almost completely obliterated. WBHM’s Dan Carsen went there to assess the damage and hear about how residents were coping. Carsen took pictures and speaks with WBHM News Director Rachel Lindley:

Dan’s photos from the scenes are below.
Northbound traffic is stopped for obvious reasons on Highway 31 just south of Kimberly Tuesday morning. Eventually, crews diverted northbound traffic onto one lane of southbound 31.
Just one of countless branches into the truck.
Chainsaws were everywhere in the Kimberly area Tuesday morning.
Billy, Nancy, and little Cali Dial.
Not perfect, but standing.
Reasons to be careful were everywhere.
A closer shot of the detached church roof.
The Kimberly Post Office was open.
One of many examples of downed wires.
Dangerous intersection (at that moment, anyway).
What had been the Kimberly Volunteer Fire Department.
Much to do.
The sign gives you an idea of who they are, and of what people need.

Rachel Osier Lindley



April 2014 Tornadoes

Tornadoes Rip Through Alabama; School Closings and Delays
04-29-2014

Powerful storms blew through Alabama Monday afternoon and overnight, killing at least three people in the state, overturning cars and destroying homes. Possible tornadoes hit Limestone and Madison counties before plowing through parts of Tuscaloosa and Jefferson counties.

Scenes Of Damage In Bessemer
04-29-2014

Bessemer, Alabama was hit extremely hard by Monday night’s storms. WBHM’s Andrew Yeager visited Bessemer today to document the damages.

Alabama Recovers from Tornadoes Before the Next Round
04-29-2014

At least 3 people in Alabama have died and more than 100,000 Alabama Power customers were without electricity after strong storms raked across the state Monday night. As many as 18 tornadoes may have touched down. But as residents dig out there’s a second line of storms on the way.

Severe Storms Move Into Alabama
04-28-2014

The National Weather Service in Birmingham says waves of severe storms are expected across north and central Alabama through Wednesday. Strong winds and tornados are on the minds of many in the south; this past weekend marked the three-year anniversary of the 2011 tornados that ripped through Alabama. The entire state is under a flash flood watch with as much as 5 inches of rain in the forecast. Schools releasing students early include Birmingham City Schools, Jefferson County Schools, Hoover City Schools and Shelby County Schools.

More April 2014 Tornadoes ...