re: OT: 23 people dead in Lee County, AL from EF-4 tornado; numerous tornadoes across the SE

We had massive power fluctuations from around 5-10 miles away during the second twister for over 5 minutes. We could only assume it was substations and transformers being hit. Tomorrow I think we’ll see 20+ fatalities and an EF3-4 classification for each one. Glad it’s gone at least.

quote:

---

One problem with that video is that he comes up on serious damage and is more interested in recording video, rather than checking on people's health.

---

I wonder when he turned around at the destruction if he heard anyone screaming for help and just decided his YouTube video comments were more important?

I lived in Pleasant Grove years ago, in '11, when the big tornado hit there. I came out of my basement when it was passed, walked a block, and heard a boy screaming and crying.

My brother-in-law and I found him underneath a piece of plywood and roofing with a broken leg but, alive.

His leg had a bad gash, down to the bone, and he was bleeding pretty good. We tied it off and staunched the blood loss with my t-shirt. The kid was 13 years old. He had been alone, parents still at work, when it hit. We then carried him to the fire station about 6 blocks or so away and he got medical attention and his parents came and met us there.

My brother-in-law went back to his house to wait on his parents, as no cell phones or landlines were working, and he brought them to the fire station.

People were doing that kind of stuff all over the city that day and into the night.

Oh well, YouTube is pretty important too.

All in a matter of 30 seconds in a single spot.

Very powerful storm system. Please be aware of your warnings for anyone ahead of this storm system.

Parts of South Carolina are now under a watch. I think Columbia is or was under a warning. Nasty line of storms

all the weather peeps on twitter are talking about Cairo, GA now. was a bad day

Be mindful of the warnings and be safe my brothers. Lots of rain and it will be loud because of it.

Any update on Cairo, GA? Sounds like they got hit hard.

not much, there was a recording of a scanner from a police officer saying that damage was extensive and that they are requesting volunteers and emergency vehicles. I saw one picture of something on a roof with powerlines down. Probably be a little longer before full reports come in.

quote:

---

Initial rating of this tornado is EF-3, according to the Weather Channel.

---

Yeah, that is the NWS's preliminary rating. They will likely begin conducting their surveys tomorrow, so that rating could very well be adjusted upward.

This is from Lee County, Alabama:


Search-and-rescue operations continue.

Lee County EMA posted this at about 5:30 p.m.:

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

LEE ROAD 166 @ LR 40 AND

LEE ROAD 165 @ LR 40 ARE NOW CLOSED AND WILL REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL THE STORM DEBRIS AND DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS ARE MADE.

LEE ROAD 721 IS CLOSED INDEFINATELY.

ETA::: All Lee County schools are closed tomorrow. Volunteers are still needed.