Three people from Pickens County, Alabama died Saturday after a tornado struck the area. The deaths occurred near the town of Carrollton along Settlement Road. There were also three storm-related fatalities in Louisiana and one in Texas, bringing the total reported death toll to seven.
Strong winds caused a small plane at the Birmingham-International Shuttlesworth Airport to flip over. Across the area, downed trees and powerlines blocked roadways. The storm led to widespread power outages across the state. Alabama Power says some crews are are beginning work to restore power.
Saturday 3 p.m. update:
Alabama Power crews are working where it is safe to do so, and have already restored service to 67,000 customers affected by the storm. The system is still moving east, and currently there are 90,000 customers without power.
— Alabama Power (@alabamapower) January 11, 2020
Severe weather was anticipated days ahead of the storm. Weather officials warned of tornadoes, flooding and of 70+ mph wind gusts during the storm. Governor Kay Ivey also said her office was preparing state resources ahead of the storms.
Residents took to social media to show the storm’s impacts across the state:
Brindlee Mountain Primary School damage in Union Grove, Alabama @spann
Photo taken from Facebook pic.twitter.com/d5SeBsQmjQ— Bɾιƚƚαɳყ (@BrittSchaf) January 11, 2020
@weswyattweather This is in Roebuck off of Lawson Road pic.twitter.com/8uzVnJdLUO
— Gail Barnes Dunlap (@gdunlap64) January 11, 2020
@spann Lincoln. Tanks to the City of Lincoln Street Department for getting this cleared just before the storm is hitting. pic.twitter.com/UmCKR2yl2c
— Kyle Pringle (@Kyle_CLE_OSU) January 11, 2020
@spann large tree down on house and two cars in Bluff Park pic.twitter.com/5h4qiwBxe2
— Kayla Clay (@KaylaBScott_) January 11, 2020
A number of area schools are delaying start times due to heavy rain and a flash flood watch early Tuesday morning.
As severe weather moves toward Alabama, several school districts are closing early.
Forecasters in central Alabama say the storm system threatens to spin off tornadoes. Officials say residents should have multiple ways to receive weather warnings and should not depend solely on outdoor warning sirens.
As severe weather moves toward Alabama, several school districts are closing early.
Some Alabama schools will delay school Wednesday because of wintery conditions.
A list of Alabama schools that have announced after-school closures or early dismissals because of possible severe weather Thursday, April 18.
