Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley declared a state of emergency for all 67 Alabama counties on Jan. 23 after severe storms hit the state. Before dawn, tornadoes, severe thunderstorm winds, heavy rains, and hail moved into the state. Searchers were checking houses for trapped survivors on Monday afternoon.
At least two people were killed and scores were injured, according to the Dothan Eagle. One of those killed was a 16-year-old girl, and another was an 82-year-old man.
Some areas devastated by tornadoes in April were also impacted.
“Our Emergency Management Agency will continue to monitor this severe weather and will be prepared for any potential impact on our communities. State agencies are on-call and ready to assist communities,” said Gov. Bentley, in a statement.
“I urge Alabamians to heed weather warnings to protect their families, homes, and businesses,” the governor added. The severe weather outbreak of last year is still fresh on our minds and is a reminder that we must take the threat of severe weather seriously.”
The official State of Emergency authorizes the Alabama Emergency Management Agency and other agencies to begin work helping residents and evaluating damage. The Red Cross of Alabama has opened three shelters and sent teams out to check on people.
The worst hit areas were in Jefferson County, which includes the city of Birmingham, and Chilton County, which is south of Birmingham.
The Flint River flooded, and multiple roads were closed. Madison, Ala., a city near the Flint River and west of Huntsville in the north-central part of the state, was under a flood warning until Tuesday, Jan. 24.
Arkansas reportedly had tornadoes, but no deaths have been reported. Tennessee, Mississippi, and Illinois received tornado warnings.
