RADAR CHECK: Strong to severe thunderstorms continue over the eastern half of Alabama early this morning. These storms produced wind damage in a number of counties since midnight; over 80,000 are without power in Alabama shortly after daybreak.
At 6:29 AM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain in the warned area. Flash flooding is either ongoing or expected to begin shortly.
As of 6:20 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 7 miles southeast of Waldo, or 7 miles west of Ashland, moving east at 35 mph.
NWS Birmingham has cancelled the tornado watch for Blount, Cherokee, Etowah, Fayette, Lamar, and Walker counties in Central Alabama. No other counties remain in the tornado watch.
As of 5:57 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Leeds, moving northeast at a rapid pace of 65 mph.
As of 5:39 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was detected over Alabaster, moving eastward at 50 mph.
Rain and storms continue to push southward across portions of Central Alabama, while some showers remain over portions of North Alabama. The severe weather threat has ended for the northern Alabama counties.
The primary hazard is flash flooding caused by thunderstorms, with small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets, underpasses, and other low-lying areas expected to be affected.
At 5:19 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near West Blocton, approximately 10 miles north of Centreville. The storm is moving east at a speed of 50 mph.
The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch in effect until 9:00 AM CDT for 20 counties in Central Alabama.
At 4:12 AM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from 8 miles northeast of Little River Falls to near Holly Pond, moving southeast at 40 mph.
At 4:11 AM CDT, a line of severe thunderstorms was extending from 10 miles northwest of Summerville to near Snead to near Cullman, moving east at 60 mph.
NWS Huntsville has removed Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, and Limestone counties in North Alabama from the current tornado watch.
The National Weather Service in Huntsville Alabama has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Central Jackson County and DeKalb County in northeastern Alabama. This warning is in effect until 4:15 AM CDT.
Our long time friend, mentor, and charter Weather Factory member, J.B. Elliott, passed away on May 11, 2015. Click HERE to read James' tribute.
