Environment

See the Destruction From the Morning Tornadoes That Hit Alabama

Tornadoes Damage Ala. Homes and Maximum Security Prison in Severe Storm System Affected Much of South

Harvest, Ala. (Photo: Huntsville Times/Bob Gathany)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (The Blaze/AP) — Reported tornadoes destroyed several houses and hit a maximum security prison in northern Alabama as bad weather threatened more twisters across the region Friday, two days after a storm system killed 13 people in the Midwest and South.

(Related: Midwest ravaged by storms with ‘major, major destruction’ and at least nine reported deaths)

Huntsville police spokesman Harry Hobbs said people have been injured in Madison County and were being taken to hospitals in the area. He did not know the extent of the injuries, or how many people were hurt.

Tornadoes Damage Ala. Homes and Maximum Security Prison in Severe Storm System Affected Much of South

(Photo: WAFF)

Tornadoes Damage Ala. Homes and Maximum Security Prison in Severe Storm System Affected Much of South

(Photo: WAFF)

Tornadoes Damage Ala. Homes and Maximum Security Prison in Severe Storm System Affected Much of South

(Photo: WAFF)

Huntsville-Madison County Emergency Management Office says ambulances were responding to neighborhoods near Huntsville. Madison County emergency managers said several houses were “leveled” in one neighborhood in the Walker Lane area.

WAFF-TV reported that storms caused extensive damage in the small community of Meridianville, where people were trapped in cars.

Check out this video coverage of some damage from WPTV:

Here’s a report from AP:

A state maximum security prison about 10 miles from Huntsville was also hit by a reported tornado, but the inmates remained secured, according to Alabama Department of Corrections spokesman Brian Corbett. He said there were no reports of injuries but the roof was damaged on two large prison dormitories that each hold about 250 men.

“It was reported you could see the sky through the roof of one of them,” Corbette said.

A portion of the prison fence was knocked down by the storm but the prison was secure and no one had escaped, he said.

The Limestone Correctional Facility in Capshaw, 10 miles west of Huntsville, houses 2,388 inmates, including more than 200 inmates who have tested positive for HIV and are kept segregated. The prison, which opened in 1984, has 90 acres within its perimeter fence. The prison has a total of 1,600 acres, which includes a farming and cattle operation, according to the state Department of Corrections.

Following are some home videos taken of the Alabama tornadoes. Here’s one showing the sky and sounds from a Huntsville home:

Here’s one showing what appears to be a tornado forming in the distance:

You can see footage of one of the tornadoes closer up here.

Forecasters warned of severe thunderstorms with the threat of tornadoes crossing a region from southern Ohio through much of Kentucky into Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia.

Tornadoes Damage Ala. Homes and Maximum Security Prison in Severe Storm System Affected Much of South

NOAA's projected tonado risk forecast for Friday. (Image: NOAA)

Thousands of Alabama schoolchildren were getting out of class early Friday because the threat of tornadoes and other severe weather across the northern half of the state.

More than 20 school systems say they are dismissing classes early Friday because of the possibility of severe storms. Otherwise, the bad weather could hit around the time schools normally dismiss for the day, based on predictions from the National Weather Service.

The Huntsville Times reported damage to the Buckhorn High School and Middle School, but officials stated there were no injuries and everyone was safe at the time.

These aren’t the first tornadoes for the state of Alabama this year. A couple of tornadoes caused serious damage in Alabama and Arkansas, injuring more than 100 and killing at least two.

Comments (29)

  • shotzie
    Posted on March 3, 2012 at 1:53am

    Thoughts and prayers to all who suffered storm damage today. Modern doppler radar is such a blessing. NWS started warning yesterday about this storm system so many were very weather aware today, which I’m sure saved lives. School systems did the right thing and dismissed early so families had time to prepare. Does not matter where you live – mother nature can do damage everywhere. Help those who lost if you can.

    Report Post » shotzie  
  • COFemale
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 7:26pm

    Everyone in harms way stay safe and take cover. Keeping a vigil watch, as I have family in the Atlanta area as well as in middle northern part of NC.

    Report Post » COFemale  
  • pattybbb1
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 5:51pm

    Athens, Al– I live 5 miles west. Storms took almost same path as last April 2011. We good. Quite a bit of damage east of Athens. Was rough day.

    Report Post »  
  • Mark0331
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 5:28pm

    God Bless and protect all of my fellow Americans in harms way in the lovely, lovely South. You know, sometime soon some lib idiot will blame this on ‘global warming’ or the Souths deep love of God and all things right with this country…be safe and keep your spirits up…much Love sent your way.

    Report Post » Mark0331  
  • hugo65hsv
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:50pm

    Thoughts and prayers for my neighbors… And thanks to all who work very hard to keep the people updated on these storms while they develop.. We owe them a huge debt of gratitude for their dedication and life saving alerts..

    Report Post »  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on March 2, 2012 at 5:19pm

      Trained spotter just sighted one here in Berea, KY.
      Henryville, IN is reportedly GONE.
      Please pray for us all.

      Report Post » TomFerrari  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on March 2, 2012 at 5:22pm

      We are taking shelter now. Still have power, water, cable, Internet, etc. no outages as yet. Taking precautionary cover. Wx radio and outdoor sirens alerting and sounding every couple minutes.

      Report Post » TomFerrari  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on March 2, 2012 at 5:31pm

      Be safe Tom. I spent 4 years in Richmond right up the road.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Razorhunters
      Posted on March 2, 2012 at 5:50pm

      take care, be safe…
      all prayers to all.

      Report Post » Razorhunters  
  • TheBurningTruth
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:49pm

    Every time the west coast has a little earthquake there are all kinds of loons out there declaring that the rest of the country shouldn’t have to pay anything because “they chose to live in earthquake country”. Well, what about this?

    Earthquakes are pretty rare, averaging centuries between the really big ones. Yet the whole midwest gets major tornadoes EVERY single year. Why should anyone have to pay for people living in an area that is guaranteed to get massive damage annually?

    I don’t lack sympathy for those that have suffered in these tornadoes, but I do get sick and tired of sympathy for one group and disdain for another group. If you have sympathy for tornado victims, then do the same for earthquake victims.

    Report Post » TheBurningTruth  
  • christos
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:38pm

    …2012 Academia claim they can control the weather,,,

    Report Post » christos  
  • DIVINEPROVIDENCE1776
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:01pm

    Praying for all in the path of these vicious storms. Stay safe. Praying for those who have lost loved ones. Praying for those who have lost homes and business’s.

    Report Post » DIVINEPROVIDENCE1776  
  • Mateytwo Barreett
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 3:03pm

    pictures just don’t “do it”. It constantly amnazes me that there aren’t many times more injuries and deaths.

    Report Post » Mateytwo Barreett  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on March 2, 2012 at 3:13pm

      I heard that part of the reason for so few deaths is that a early-warning radar, something called a double-directional doplar – a new generation of pulse doplar radar; provided about 25 minutes of warning for most areas.

      Also the main reason – God’s providence.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • ProbIemSoIver
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 3:00pm

    The powers-that-be shut off their High-Frequency Active Auroral broadcast stations a.k.a. HAARP.

    Usually they transmit ELF waves into the Ionishpere heating up the atmosphere to over 100F.
    This prevents clouds from reaching rainmaking heights.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgynYoVnkvM – a 3 minute explanation.

    Report Post » ProbIemSoIver  
  • godlovinmom
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 2:44pm

    My mother living in Iowa as a young girl was in a tornando that took her house…thank God I live in the pacific north west…we just have to deal with earthquakes…Scary stuff.

    Report Post » godlovinmom  
    • AxelPhantom
      Posted on March 2, 2012 at 3:20pm

      I was in a tornado once as a child, and it always stays with you. I still watch the skies very closely whenever things look ripe for storms.

      Report Post »  
    • godlovinmom
      Posted on March 2, 2012 at 3:33pm

      I bet you do!

      Report Post » godlovinmom  
    • VRW Conspirator
      Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:51pm

      Ah Earthquakes ain’t nothing…growing up in So Cal…i have been through everything up to a 7.3. they freak you out at the time but once the rolling and rocking stop…nothing to do but pick up the pieces and clean up….
      I would take an Earthquake state like CA to a tornado or hurricane or blizzard state ANY DAY!! granted..that is just natural disaster wise….CA‘s economy is a man made disaster that I couldn’t handle anymore…so i moved to TX…

      Report Post » VRW Conspirator  
    • godlovinmom
      Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:57pm

      I myself have been in a southern california earthquake…and quite honestly I would take an earthquake over a tornado any day.

      Report Post » godlovinmom  
  • IMCHRISTIAN
    Posted on March 2, 2012 at 2:43pm

    My thoughts and prayers goes out to all that have a loved one that was killed or injured in the tornadoes The damage is terrible and a lot of work to be done. I have seen the damage they can do as I have gone through one. People do show their best side though when family, neighbors, and strangers all show up and help out as soon as possible. You have the right to mourn and think it is going to be overwhelming at times but don’t give up help will be there along with lots of prayers. God Bless

    Report Post »  

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