re: Bad weather check-in and discussion thread

My whole neighborhood outside of maybe six houses are demolished. Praise God my home, my family, and all my neighbors are fine. For those having trouble reaching people in the area, I work for AT&T and we have ten or so COLTs that will be in place within the hour. So if the people you are trying to reach are on our network you should be able to connect with them very soon.

I was not expecting to hear of so much damage when I woke up earlier. I hope everyone is ok and I will be praying for everyone.

This is horrible.

Everything is good in my neck of the woods. Sorry for those in affected areas.

Glad you are safe, NA.

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I know. I hope all of those people who wished tornados on people never post again.

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There is a reserved spot in hell for those people.

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There is also a MASSIVE misconception among the general public that major tornado outbreaks are a "tornado alley" phenomenon and only occur regularly in the Great Plains. "Dixie Alley" which encompasses much of Arkansas, Tennessee, Northern Louisiana, Northern Miss, Northern Alabama and Northwest Georgia is actually a much more dangerous tornado alley because they get tornadoes just as strong but in heavily forrested and much more densely populated areas than the Great Plains. Also tornadoes in "Dixie Alley" are more frequent throughout the year and happen more often at night than those in the Plain States.

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Exactly. Also, most of the tornadoes that have hit Alabama through the years are rain-wrapped and hard to see, so they didn't have the signature "tornado" image that the Great Plains tornadoes have.

My twitter feed is filled with nothing but TWC tweets about Alabama getting hammered. Hope everyone is ok!

Not that I know of at the moment. I imagine by the end of the day they'll be stating what supplies are needed...i.e. water, bread, tarps, etc... Right now, main focuses are still cutting trees away and gaining access to neighborhoods and clearing roadways. As many people as there are, that should be done today. Tomorrow is probably when they're really gonna start needing supplies I'd imagine.

Northpark Baptist Church on Deefoot stated earlier, they opened up for folks, if anyone knows someone that needs shelter. They have showers and cots and such.

If you want to contribute supplies, I'd recommend contacting Clay City Hall, their number is 205-680-1232, or local churches.I would think churches will be dropoff points, as well as the Clay Community Center off Clay Palmerdale Rd. If I find or hear anything solid or more later today, I'll pass the information along.

Much thanks to those wishing well and offering prayers to those affected.

From City of Clay website:

The city of Clay has experienced a huge loss of property and at least one fatality from a tornado that came Paradise Valley, Georgebrook, Stteplechase, Rosewood and Twin Lakes subdivisions in the wee hours of January 23. We ask you for your prayers and patience as we work through the recovery process.

Some major roads are closed and access is limited to workers or residents in the affected areas. Residents will have to show proof of residency to be allowed into the area.

Arrangements are being made for law enforcement patrol in these areas over night.

Residents needing shelter can go to Clearview Baptist Church in Chalkville, NorthPark Baptist Church on Deerfoot Parkway and BridgePoint Church at the corner of Old Springville Road and Clayton Road. Also, a temporary shelter is at Lifechurch in Grayson Valley.

At this time, we have recived so many offers to volunteer that we are taking down names, skills and phone number for possible call back later.

Please "like" us on Facebook to keep up with the latest information and instructions. Call City Hall at 205-680-1223. Winnd Dixie in Chalkville and Clay United Methodist Church on the north end of Clay are staging areas for emergency personnel and volunteers.

LINK