NWS confirms EF-3 tornado hit Madison Co., killing woman

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) - One woman is dead and five others were injured after an EF-3 tornado tore through the Hazel Green area overnight.

According to the National Weather Service, an EF-3 tornado occurred in northern Madison County and southern Lincoln County Friday night/Saturday morning.

Don Webster from Huntsville Emergency Medical Services Inc. confirmed an adult woman was killed on Borderline Road.

Madison County Coroner Tyler Berryhill said the woman’s home was impacted by the tornado and that she was pronounced dead on the scene around 4 a.m. Saturday. Berryhill identified the woman as Ovie Lasater, 90.

According to the National Weather Service, the tornado began west of Highway 431 and south of Elkwood Section Road. The tornado continued to intensify as it made its way to Borderline Road. The tornado is estimated to have peaked at 160 miles per hour and destroyed two homes in the area.

Viewer-submitted drone footage shows the damage and destruction caused by last night's deadly storms.

Webster said of the five people injured, three were taken to Huntsville Hospital Trauma Services in critical condition. Two of them are stable. He said HEMSI workers treated two people on scene for minor injuries.

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office is asking people to avoid the area of U.S. Highway 231 and Lincoln Road as emergency crews assess storm damage.

Deputies say trees and power lines are down across the area. Some of the power lines are live and very dangerous.

Madison County Commission Chairman Mac McCutcheon said around 7 a.m. Saturday crews have cleared most of the roads.

One woman is dead and five others were injured after an EF-3 tornado tore through the Hazel Green area overnight.

Just across the state line, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said Borderline Road to Myers Road will be closed until further notice. Deputies added that Borderline Road is still closed on the Alabama side to Greenville Pike. People who live in the affected area will be allowed to pass, but anyone else will be ticketed if the closure is violated.

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