Alabama schools closing early, as tornado hits

[Hum]

A reported tornado touched down in Alabama on Friday, destroying homes between Athens and eastern Limestone County, emergency officials said.

There was no immediate word on any injuries, but the Huntsville-Madison County Emergency Management Office said ambulances are responding to neighborhoods near Huntsville.

Thousands of Alabama school children have been ordered to leave school early because of the threat of tornadoes and other severe weather across the northern half of the state.

More than 20 school systems said they are dismissing classes early Friday because of the possibility of severe storms. Otherwise, the bad weather could hit around the time schools normally dismiss for the day, based on predictions from the National Weather Service.

School systems dismissing students early include those in Jefferson County, Tuscaloosa and Walker County, which were all hard by deadly twisters last April.

Forecasters said severe storms are likely across north Alabama from Friday afternoon through Saturday morning. The weather service said there's a chance of long-track tornadoes, strong winds, flooding and large hail.

source

[Charisma Veteran]

Guess who's working in an office in Huntsville right now and who lives in Madison?

This guy. (Y)

wish me luck! We already have one local site without power, a girl's house here got hit (it's still standing, but badly damaged, her mom and son were inside and they are OK), and some people were supposed to fly out but the airport is cancelling flights until further notice.

I was just on the Geico website making sure my renters' insurance was up to date.. haha.

I moved here last year just in time for the big legendary ones that ripped through in April. I'd like to get out of this state ASAP! Hoping for a transfer to an office *not* in Tornado Alley.

[DocM]

That wouldn't be in Michigan, plus we get the occaisional derecho (with or without twisters) :angry:

[threetonesun]

Hoping for a transfer to an office *not* in Tornado Alley.

Fun fact, every state has a had a tornado in the last 50 years, although I do believe Alaska and Hawaii are pretty safe (also Rhode Island, but that's not fair since it's smaller than a tornado).

[Twiddle]

Guess who's working in an office in Huntsville right now and who lives in Madison?

This guy. (Y)

wish me luck! We already have one local site without power, a girl's house here got hit (it's still standing, but badly damaged, her mom and son were inside and they are OK), and some people were supposed to fly out but the airport is cancelling flights until further notice.

I was just on the Geico website making sure my renters' insurance was up to date.. haha.

I moved here last year just in time for the big legendary ones that ripped through in April. I'd like to get out of this state ASAP! Hoping for a transfer to an office *not* in Tornado Alley.

Heh, I'm not far from you at all. I make trips to Town Creek, and Moulton a lot for work.

Tornado Alley is FUN! I like to get out to drive around and take pictures of active tornadoes. Last year in a thread I posted some pictures I caught chasing some. It's a thrill!

[Charisma Veteran]

Man, we just got an email that one of our employees at the closest site to us (about an hour away) lost his house, everything in it, and his wife's car that was outside. All destroyed by the tornado. He and his family are all OK, thank God, but... I just can't imagine waking up in my bed, going to work, and then finding out that was the last time I'd ever see that bed again, or any of the stuff in it.

I've always read about this kind of destruction, like a lot of you are now, but it's so surreal to move to a place like this and start seeing it firsthand.

Fun fact, every state has a had a tornado in the last 50 years, although I do believe Alaska and Hawaii are pretty safe (also Rhode Island, but that's not fair since it's smaller than a tornado).

Yeah, but not every state gets a "tornado season" every year and has multiple storms like this. I've been on this earth quite a while and had never seen one until ~4 months after moving here, and several more just in the year I've lived here.

[Hum]

Tornado Alley is FUN! I like to get out to drive around and take pictures of active tornadoes. Last year in a thread I posted some pictures I caught chasing some. It's a thrill!

Wouldn't be such a thrill if one was heading to your house. :|

[Growled Member]

We guys make it alright?