Over A Dozen Tornadoes Hits Southern U.S., At Least 14 Died In Alabama Only
- Over a dozen tornadoes touched down in Alabama and Georgia on Sunday, 3rd March.
- At least 14 are reported to have lost their lives in the calamities on Sunday afternoon.
- Among the deaths, 12 are in Lee County, Opelika only and two others are in Beauregard, Alabama.
At least 14 died in Alabama after a series of tornadoes hit Southern U.S. Sunday afternoon, 3rd March. The tornadoes, that touched down in Alabama and Georgia, left 14 dead in Lee County, Alabama only, say authorities.
CNN reported Lee Couty Sheriff Jay Jones told 12 among 14 deaths occurred in an area about 5 to 6 miles south of Opelika, Alabama. Two other deaths occurred in Beauregard, Alabama.
Jones told CNN's Ana Cabrera several people have been hospitalized with severe injuries. He further told they've estimated a path of destruction about half a mile wide stretched several miles to the east from where the tornado touched down.
East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika reported treating more than 40 patients.
Governor Kay Ivey declared a statewide emergency and paid a tribute to those who lost their lives in the tornado. Ivey wrote, "Our hearts go out to those who lost their lives in the storms" in her tweet. She further wrote;
Praying for their families & everyone whose homes or businesses were affected. Officials from @AlabamaEma & other agencies are quickly working to provide a s sistance.
The National Weather Service reported that an airport in Eufaula, Alabama was destroyed in the tornadoes along with the Alabama-Georgia border and a fire station.
Leigh Ann Erenheim, the emergency management director for Talbot County said at least 15 structures including one apartment building were reportedly destroyed in the tornadoes in Talbotton, Georgia.
Meanwhile, in Selma, Alabama, the crowds that were gathered to mark the anniversary of "Bloody Sunday," suffered thunderstorms but no tornadoes said CNN Meteorologist Gene Norman.
Further reports on the destructions are yet to come.
