Damage reports following Christmas Day severe weather outbreak - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Damage reports following Christmas Day severe weather outbreak

Posted: Updated:
By Mark Wilder - email
Damage in Luverne Damage in Luverne
Damage in Luverne Damage in Luverne
Brantley Mobile Home Park in Troy Brantley Mobile Home Park in Troy
Brantley Mobile Home Park in Troy Brantley Mobile Home Park in Troy
Brantley Mobile Home Park in Troy Brantley Mobile Home Park in Troy
MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) -

Strong thunderstorms and tornados moved across south Alabama on Christmas Day in a very unusual episode of severe weather for this time of year.

The National Weather Service survey teams are out assessing damage at this time, and the Alabama Emergency Management Agency is compiling a list of damaged areas. Currently, the EMA says nearly a dozen counties are reporting damage.

The Storm Prediction Center has documented 15 tornado reports so far Tuesday. If that stands, it would be most ever on a Christmas Day, surpassing the 12 in 1969.

Here are the damage reports coming into our newsroom.

In Mobile:

  • The National Weather Service said at 4:59 p.m.  a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was located near downtown Mobile, five miles southeast of Interstate 65 and US 45 moving northeast at 45 mph.  
  • The Mobile County Sheriff's Office said Telegrath and Bay Bridge Roads were struck by the tornado with a report of one person trapped under the debris.
  • Also a tornado hit the Walgreens at Airport Boulevard and Government Street.   One person interviewed at Walgreens at the loop told WALA "I prayed to God as loud as I could to keep us safe."
  • There is damage on Dauphin Island Parkway. 
  • Many reports of damage around "the loop" in Mobile.
  • Trinity Episcopal Church in midtown Mobile had its roof blown away and a hole in its wall, but the church is still standing.
  • Reported damage in Prichard on Bay Bridge Road.
  • There is damage to Mobile Infirmary.  WALA TV reported skywalk windows were blown out,  patients were taken to hallways, but there are no major injuries begin reported yet.
  • Also damage was reported in the Popularville area.

In Pike County:
[SLIDESHOW]

  • Damage reported to several homes on Pike Co Rd. 4430.
  • A possible tornado touched down near County 4425 in Tennille.
  • Reports of multiple trees down and people being trapped in a home with no injuries reported yet.
  • Reports of possible damage near Hamilton Crossroad.
  • A tornado struck Brantley Mobile Home Park in Troy, damaging 4 mobile homes and some trees, trapping residents, only minor injuries. 

In Marengo County:

  • The National Weather Service survey team says an EF-1 tornado with peak winds of 100mph touched down in the Dempolis area. The path was 5.9 miles in length and is measured at more than 500 yards wide. The tornado touched down west of US Hwy 43 near Marengo Farms Road.
  • Hundreds of trees are snapped or uprooted along the path
  • Two mobile homes were destroyed, while others sustained damage.
  • A dozen homes suffered roof damage and one church had partial roof damage.

In Crenshaw County:

  • 1 house damaged and one destroyed in Luverne.
  • Old vacant store in Petrey/Patsburg area had roof damage.

Macon County:

  • A storm shelter in Shorter in the old Dist. 3 shop location is open to anyone needing shelter.

Autauga County:

  • House fire caused by lightning on Shangri La Road.

Lowndes County:
[SLIDESHOW]

  • Roof damage, power lines down and some residents evacuated because of high water near Mosses.
  • Reports of barns damaged in Lowndes County

Escambia County:

  • Damage reported north of Atmore; roof blown off of small convenience store and tractor also overturned also other scattered reports of downed trees and power lines. 

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