SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS MOVING SOUTH… At 10PM, a band of strong to severe thunderstorms capable of damaging wind gusts is moving south across inland areas of southwest Alabama. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for parts of Escambia (AL), Covington, Conecuh, Butler, Monroe, Wilcox, Clarke, Marengo, Washington, and Choctaw counties as of 10:00PM. This warning includes Thomasville, Grove Hill, Jackson, Gilbertown, Butler, Toxey, Coffeeville, Monroeville, Peterman, Tunnel Springs, Beatrice, Perdue Hill, Mexia, Uriah, Goodway, Megargal, Excel, Frisco City, Ollie, Evergreen, Belleville, Repton, Range, Owassa, Lyeffion, Bowles, Castleberry, Brooklyn, Georgiana, Brewton, East Brewton, Wallace, Dixie, Damascus, Roberts, and Appleton. Western Covington County is also included in a Severe Thunderstorm Warning, but it looks like storms may miss Covington County to the west, for now.
NUMEROUS DAMAGE REPORTS TO OUR NORTH… I have seen many, many storm reports from central Alabama over the last few hours where tree damage has happened. Some of the more recent reports include trees and power lines being reported down near Livingston, Geiger, and Gainesville in Sumter County. A wind gust of 60 mph was measured at Dannelly Field in Montgomery County when storms moved through. Numerous reports of trees down near the Birmingham metro area happened earlier with these same storms.
WHAT TO EXPECT – NEXT FEW HOURS… This band of strong to severe thunderstorms will continue to move south. Severe thunderstorm warnings may be needed a bit later for parts of western Escambia (AL), Mobile, Baldwin, Escambia (FL), and Santa Rosa counties, depending on if storms hold current strength. Damaging wind gusts are the concern as storms move south. The tornado risk remains at or near zero.