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At least one person has died after a tornado swept through Alabama on Monday night, collapsing buildings and trapping people inside their homes.
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Birmingham, Alabama, said the severe storm hit Jefferson Co’s Fultondale area, causing “significant damage.”
“We will inspect the damage to determine the strength of the tornado,” the NWS wrote on Twitter.
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Fultondale Police Chief DP Smith said a young man was killed while trapped in the basement of his home, according to AL.com.
“The family had taken refuge in the basement but it seems that a tree fell on the house and caused the house to collapse,” the newspaper reported.
Videos and photos on social media captured some of the devastation.
A tornado warning was issued just after 10:30 p.m. Monday.
The resulting storm cut off electricity and produced debris that blocked roads in the area. A Hampton Inn, Comfort Inn, and Suites and restaurant in Chile were badly damaged, WBRC reported.
“We have possible deaths, we cannot confirm the number yet. We still have search and rescue teams on the job,” Fultondale Deputy Fire Chief Justin McKenzie said just after 3:30 am.
Fultondale Police Chief DP Smith said at least five people had been hospitalized. James Coker, director of the Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency, said injuries from the storm ranged from mild to severe.
“Our current focus is still the safety of people,” Coker said. “This is not only for people who may have been injured, but also for the first responders who help them.”
Earlier, Fultondale Mayor Larry Holcomb said the town had received around 20 reports of minor injuries, CBS 42 reported.
“There are still people trapped in them that we are trying to access right now,” Holcomb said.
Dave Moerbe, pastor in Gardendale, and his 18-year-old son Sam traveled to Fultondale when they learned of the devastation.
“Looks like a bomb went off,” Sam said, according to AL.com.
The Hoover Fire Department said personnel were on scene at Fultondale to assist with search and rescue efforts
(Hoover Fire Department)
The Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency has urged the public to avoid the areas of Fultondale and Center Point to allow them to continue their operations safely.
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“In addition to road hazards such as power lines and debris … traffic obstructs the roads. Again, PLEASE stay out of the area,” the agency tweeted.
At least 11 school closures were announced Tuesday in the wake of the storm, according to the agency.
A tornado watch has since been lifted in Jefferson County, but neighboring areas including Clanton and western Georgia are still being watched.
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“We will eliminate the counties as soon as possible (after the storms have passed a particular county and the threat has ended),” the NWS wrote on Twitter.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
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