A tornado ripped through Alabama as a storm with 140 mile per hour winds battered the state.
The National Weather Service urged residents in the area to seek shelter from the “extremely dangerous” situation.
“If you need to seek shelter, get helmets, something to protect your head, get to the center most room, lowest level. Smaller rooms (bathrooms, closets) are better than large rooms. Get your pets. Get your safety kit. Mobile homes are not safe, get to a sturdy building,” NWS Birmingham said in a tweet.
The Mayor of Selma, Alabama said that the city had received “significant damage” from a tornado in a Facebook post.
Mayor James Perkins Jr urged residents to stay away from roadways and downed power lines.
“City crews will be out as soon as practical to clean up. In the meantime, stay safe and continue to report your damages through 911,” he added.
The School District said that schools were in “weather lockdown” due to the dangerous weather in order to ensure the “safety of our scholars”.
Photos shared on social media appeared to show several destroyed homes in Movico, Alabama – roofs appeared torn off and debris littered the area.
In northern Alabama’s Morgan County, 10 to 15 people were injured as a result of the storm. It was unclear if the injuries were a result of tornados, all injuries are believed to be non-life-threatening.
More to follow…
