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Weather and Climate News
Vanessa Romo, NPR and Russell Lewis, NPR

Tornado strikes Alabama; at least 5 dead as severe weather lashes Southern states

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Residents survey damage to homes after a tornado touched down south of Birmingham, Ala., in the Eagle Point community damaging multiple homes on Thursday.
Residents survey damage to homes after a tornado touched down south of Birmingham, Ala., in the Eagle Point community damaging multiple homes on Thursday.
Butch Dill/AP

Updated: 8:17 p.m.

At least five deaths and multiple injuries have been reported in Calhoun County, Ala., after a tornado hit the region, county coroner Pat Brown told NPR.

The tornado is part of a "particularly dangerous" system of storms rolling across the Deep South, just south of Birmingham, Ala., Thursday.

Gov. Kay Ivey urged state residents to stay alert to continuing dangers. "Tragically, we are receiving reports of loss of life," she said. "I offer my sincerest prayers to all impacted. Unfortunately, the day is not over yet. Y'all, please stay safe and vigilant!"

Trees sit uprooted along SR 31 in Pelham, Ala., after a tornado came though on a day of extended severe weather on Thursday. The National Weather Service issued multiple tornado warnings in Alabama and surrounding states where forecasters said conditions were ripe for "long-track strong tornadoes."
Trees sit uprooted along SR 31 in Pelham, Ala., after a tornado came though on a day of extended severe weather on Thursday. The National Weather Service issued multiple tornado warnings in Alabama and surrounding states where forecasters said conditions were ripe for "long-track strong tornadoes."
Vasha Hunt/AP

There are reports, images and videos showing significant damage in many communities particularly in the Eagle Point neighborhood in Hoover, Alabama. There are ongoing rescues of people trapped in some of these homes.

Power lines and trees are down throughout the area leaving thousands without electricity after strong winds howled through the region.

Ivey issued an emergency declaration as meteorologists warned that more twisters were likely on their way.

"I urge all Alabamians to closely monitor the weather system as it continues to impact portions of [Alabama], especially if you are in the line of the highest risk storms," Ivey wrote on Twitter.

The storm is a long-track "super cell" and has produced multiple tornadoes in multiple counties across central Alabama. It has traveled in excess of 100 miles so far and this same system is still on the ground as it moves east and approaching Georgia.

A firefighter surveys damage after a tornado touches down south of Birmingham, Ala., in the Eagle Point community damaging multiple homes. The long-track "super cell" storm has traveled in excess of 100 miles so far and this same system is still on the ground as it moves east and approaching Georgia.
A firefighter surveys damage after a tornado touches down south of Birmingham, Ala., in the Eagle Point community damaging multiple homes. The long-track "super cell" storm has traveled in excess of 100 miles so far and this same system is still on the ground as it moves east and approaching Georgia.
Butch Dill/AP

Forecasters began warning about a significant weather event on Wednesday, and the potential outbreak was given the National Weather Service's rare top warning of "high risk."

Tornado sirens began been going off early Thursday morning and TV meteorologists have been on-air non-stop for hours. This was the second time in eight days that these same areas were threatened. Last week, there were more than 50 tornadoes reported in Alabama and Mississippi.

A house is totally destroyed after a tornado touches down south of Birmingham, Ala., in the Eagle Point community damaging multiple homes. The governor issued an emergency declaration as meteorologists warned that more twisters were likely on their way.
A house is totally destroyed after a tornado touches down south of Birmingham, Ala., in the Eagle Point community damaging multiple homes. The governor issued an emergency declaration as meteorologists warned that more twisters were likely on their way.
Butch Dill/AP

The powerful system is producing strong storms, tornadoes and hail in Mississippi — conditions that are all expected to last for hours as it moves northeast through Alabama and Tennessee.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.