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A video from CNN affiliate WVTM shows that the Hampton Inn in Fultondale, located just north of Birmingham and with a population of around 9,000, according to census data, sustained significant damage during the storm. The affiliate reported that guests staying at the hotel were able to escape the building and seek refuge at a nearby restaurant when another line of storms arrived.
NWS Birmingham said in a tweet that they monitor reports “after a tornado hit the Fultondale area of Jefferson Co. a short time ago.”
“Significant damage has been reported. We will inspect the damage to determine the strength of the tornado,” NWS Birmingham said.
Earlier, the agency said on Twitter: “At 10:54 p.m. CST, a large and extremely dangerous tornado was located over Chalkville, or near Trussville, moving east at 50 mph.”
About 13 miles northeast of Birmingham, the town of Center Point, with a population of over 16,000, also suffered “quite a bit of damage” from the storm, Mayor Bobby Scott told affiliate of CNN WBRC.
Scott said the back half of the roof of Hilldale Baptist Church was missing and the town’s recreation center was also damaged in the storm.
“Looks like we’ll have a long day ahead of us tomorrow,” Scott said. “Hope we can cover it all.”
“We have no injuries to report at the moment, we are really grateful,” added the mayor.
Jackson County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) has asked people to stay out of the area as first responders try to reach the most damaged places.
“In addition to road hazards such as power lines and debris … traffic obstructs the roads”, the agency tweeted.
A tornado warning was issued Monday evening for Jefferson County, Alabama, NWS Birmingham said in a tweet. The agency has since issued tornado warnings and is monitoring multiple counties as the line of storms moves northeast across the state.
A tornado watch remains in effect in parts of Alabama and Georgia
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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