Radar Check at 9:40 PM CDT

Showers and thunderstorms have now pushed into the eastern half of the state. Places such as Cullman, Birmingham, Centerville, Marion, and Selma will have rain coming to and end within the next hour. Stronger storms have pushed to the southeast, with the strongest one located over Tuskegee and Franklin in Macon County. Another strong storm was located just west of downtown Montgomery and passing over Snowden and Sprague in Montgomery County.

There have been multiple reports of damage possibly caused by storms tonight. An apartment fire, possibly caused by lightning, is still being fought in Leeds. Another fire was reportedly caused by lightning at a house in the Castle Pines subdivision in Gardendale. Yet another house fire was reported in Alabaster that possibly was started by lightning.

There were reports of wind damage across the area as well. A tree was downed onto a house in the Margaret community, with an injury reported. A few trees were reported downed in the Liberty Park area in Vestavia Hills. Also 3 miles west-northwest of Wilsonville, a few trees were reported downed by winds. A roof was reported to have been blown off of an empty building next to Jack’s Western Wear in Good Hope.

Multiple reports of dime, nickel, and quarter-size hail from many communities across the area, including Clanton, Moody, Kimberly, Irondale, Margaret, and Hamilton. The largest hail report in the state came from 3 miles east of Lake Tuscaloosa, where hail reached 1.75 inches in diameter.

At this time, Alabama Power is reporting 25,000 power outages statewide; with 17,000 in the Birmingham area, 5,000 in the Tuscaloosa area, and 3,000 in the Anniston area.

The good news is that all of the storms are currently well below severe limits, and hopefully should be that way for the rest of the evening. Just light to moderate rain is all that is left for those communities east of I-65 and north of I-85. The severe threat for those in the path of the stronger storms is limited. Strong, gusty winds, small hail, and dangerous lightning could still be possible.

Category: Alabama's Weather, Severe Weather