Update for the Tuscaloosa/Birmingham Areas; Main Concern is in Tornado Watch Area

Everything is on track with Round One of our multi-round severe weather event on this early Saturday morning.

a large complex of rain and thunderstorms is lifting northeastward into Southwest and West Central Alabama at this hour along a warm front.

Tornado watch outlined in purple, tornado warnings in red. Dewpoints are the values shown.

Rain with some occasional thunder extends as far north as a line from Millport and Reform in West Alabama to Tuscaloosa, Lake View, Alabaster, Calera, Rockford, Alex City, Auburn and Phenix City.

Strong storms are in the Montgomery area right now, extending up to Rockford and Alexander City. These storms prompted a severe thunderstorm warning earlier for Lowndes County. Others are in the Tallassee area and approaching Auburn. Not severe at this time, but lots of lightning and heavy rain and gusty winds.

For the Tuscaloosa area, just rain and occasional lightning it appears for the next 3-4 hours.

Rain will increase in the Birmingham area of the next hour and become heavier with occasional thunder.

The main concern is further south in the tornado watch area, mainly through Marengo, Hale, Perry, Bibb, Chilton, Shelby, Talladega, Clay and Randolph Counties and points further south where supercells and other strong storms are producing a major tornado threat.

A tornado warning was just issued for Marengo County. Sweet Water and Thomaston are in the path of this dangerous storm that has produced significant tornado damage.

Damage is severe in the Hattiesburg MS area with injuries. I-59 is blocked at the Forrest/Jones County line just north of Hattiesburg. Now flooding is being reported across the Southern Miss campus. A large flash flood warning is in effect for several counties in southern Mississippi.

A DAMAGE SUCCESS STORY
A tornado struck a trailer off Highway 29 near Runnelstown in Perry County, MS around 409 a.m. Rescuers looking for the family found them later. They had gotten out ahead of the tornado and were safe!

Category: Severe Weather