News Summary
Severe storms are sweeping through North and Central Alabama, bringing damaging winds, large hail, and tornado activity. The Storm Prediction Center has increased the risk level, urging residents to stay alert. Schools are adjusting graduation schedules due to the storms, while power outages affect thousands. The National Weather Service is preparing to assess damages, including fallen trees and affected roads. Residents are advised to stay informed and take necessary precautions as the storms continue to unfold.
Huntsville, Alabama – Severe storms are impacting North and Central Alabama as of May 20, with increased threats of damaging winds, large hail, and tornadic activity. The Storm Prediction Center has expanded the enhanced risk level, prompting residents to stay alert and activate weather notifications. Tornado watches remain in effect for parts of Central Alabama until 1 a.m. on May 21.
The storms have already made their presence felt, with reports of baseball-sized hail in Lawrence County, particularly around the Red Bank area, and widespread debris from fallen trees and power lines across Colbert, Lauderdale, Marshall, and Morgan counties. Power outages have affected over 15,800 customers, as reported by Huntsville Utilities.
In response to the severe weather threat, many schools have made adjustments to their graduation ceremonies. Hewitt-Trussville High School has moved its graduation to 4:00 p.m., while Sardis High School postponed its ceremony to May 21 at 7:00 p.m. Additionally, Curry and Oakman High Schools have rescheduled their graduations for 6:00 p.m. on the same day, and Oxford High School will conduct its graduation on Wednesday instead. Shelton State Community College has closed early at 5:30 p.m. and canceled all scheduled activities due to the storms.
The National Weather Service in Huntsville is preparing to deploy storm survey teams to assess the damage, which may include investigating a fire reported at the Albertville Public Library, the cause of which remains undetermined. The storms have also resulted in lane closures on Interstate 65 in Limestone County because of fallen trees.
The primary threats from these storms include not only strong winds and hail but also the risk of downed trees, especially given the saturated ground conditions from previous rainfall. Wind speeds could lead to the uprooting of trees, adding to the existing challenges of power restoration and public safety.
In light of the enhanced severe weather, it is crucial for residents to remain informed. The National Weather Service in Birmingham is conducting scheduled software upgrades that will temporarily affect NOAA Weather Radios across Central Alabama, making it important for individuals to use alternative resources to stay updated.
Looking ahead, the storm’s effects are expected to continue moving south and east through the night. A cooling trend is predicted to follow as the weather front passes through the region. Fortunately, no severe weather is anticipated in Alabama for the remainder of the week after May 20.
Overall, the severe weather event on May 20 serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of spring storms in Alabama. Residents are urged to stay cautious, heed warnings, and follow weather updates as the situation unfolds.
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Additional Resources
- AL.com: Severe Storms & Tornado in North Alabama
- WVTM13: Alabama Weather Forecast – Severe Storms
- ABC 3340: Thunderstorms in Central Alabama
- Wikipedia: Severe Weather
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Thunderstorm
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
