Alabama Tornado Storm Leaves 1 Dead, 8 Injured

At least one person died and 8 people were injured in a tornado storm in Alabama on Thursday.

The National Weather Service (NWS) Birmingham posted warnings on its Twitter page of the tornados.

Hale County Emergency Management Director Russel Weeden confirmed that there had been one death and three people are in a critical condition, while five have minor injuries.

"I can tell you so far we have found one fatality, we have three very critical patients and we have about five other minor injuries," he told 6 WRBC.

"On Highway 30 there are several homes destroyed, I haven't really had time to look at it yet. I have been in the back of an ambulance putting patients on a ventilator."

Regarding the deceased individual, he said: "I can say that she is female, I found her under the rubble but I hadn't been able to identify her yet."

Newsweek has contacted the Alabama Hale County Emergency Management Department for comment.

Newsweek previously reported that tornadoes were confirmed near Low Gap, Mertz, Evansville and Sawyerville yesterday as well.

A tornado was also reported east of Duncanville, according to the NWS station in Birmingham.

Throughout Thursday, the NWS gave details on areas that were on the tornado watch and issued safety precautions for those in the area.

The Nation Weather Service confirmed that tornados were heading towards Sawyerville in Hale County at around 2 p.m. EST. In a tweet it said those in the area should take shelter

"Heads up to the Birmingham metro: a storm with a history of producing tornadoes will be arriving in the next hour or two," they tweeted.

"Be prepared to take shelter if a warning is issued."

As the evening continued, the NWS warnings became more urgent.

"Tornado warnings have been issued for SE Coosa, Tallapoosa, and northeast Elmore County until 6:15 p.m.," they tweeted.

"One potential tornado is heading towards Alex City, and another is near Kent. Take shelter NOW."

Just after 9 p.m., the tornado watch for the Alabama counties had been called off however NWS warned of flooding overnight into Friday.

"The tornado watch has been allowed to expire for all remaining counties," it wrote in a tweet.

"However, a flood watch remains in effect overnight. Use caution when driving tonight and avoid flooded roads."

In a previous tweet, NWS Birmingham said that the storm would bring heavy rain that may result in a flood warning.

"As of now, no warnings are in effect. The severe threat is decreasing, but as rain and storms continue to move over the same areas the flood threat may increase," they tweeted around 8.30 p.m.

"A flood watch remains in effect through tomorrow morning."