HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Two days after a series of severe storms spawned an outbreak of tornadoes Wednesday night, National Weather Service officials upgraded the tornado that hit Henegar to EF-3 status, with maximum winds reaching 140 miles per hour and a recorded path of 1.13 miles.
In addition, a second EF-1 tornado was confirmed the Brooks Crossroads community in Henegar, as well as an EF-1 tornado in Southwest Lincoln County near the communities of Blanche and Taft, and an EF-0 tornado in Scottsboro. Late Friday evening, officials added an EF-2 tornado near Prospect in Giles County, Tennessee to the list.
This brings the current tally of tornadoes that struck the Tennessee Valley area to nine.
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Previously confirmed tornadoes include an EF-1 tornado in the Five Points neighborhood of Huntsville, an EF-2 in Gurley, and an EF-0 in Rainbow Mountain, all in the Madison County area. An EF-3 tornado hit the Brigadoon housing community in Limestone County.
"We got in there, we shut the door, we start praying," said Brigadoon resident Sherry Pearson. "It's like the house exploded."
Pearson is left with very few clothes, and her home will have to be completely rebuilt. "They said its unsalvageable, so we're trying to get [these] mementoes and family heirlooms that you can't replace ... before the ceilings fall in."
Around the corner, Randy Hanna's home also took considerable damage. After hearing what sounded like "a railroad train," he told his wife to get in the basement. The storm left Hanna with about ten areas of water damage throughout his home.
The storms carried on into Madison County. Huntsville city leaders updated the community on damage response efforts Thursday. By 8:30 p.m. Huntsville Utilities said just under 3,000 customers remained without power into Thursday afternoon, down from a peak of 10,000 who lost power in the height of the storm.
"While the damage was widespread across the entire county," said Huntsville Utilities President/CEO Wes Kelley, "obviously the hardest hit area was the Five Points, Old Town, Blossomwood area. We're working diligently - maximum effort to restore power to that area."
Maple Hill Cemetery is deemed unsafe after sustaining significant damage. If your loved one's grave site has been affected, the city will contact you with next steps. Trash pickup in the hardest-hit areas may be affected.
The Tennessee Valley Authority is working to repair at least six high voltage transmission lines from across its service area. Power has been rerouted in most affected areas. Officials ask you to remember that if you see a downed power line, report it but avoid it - it could still be energized.
The famed "Unclaimed Baggage" shop in Scottsboro sustained some damage; store leaders said they were able to begin assessing the damage early Thursday morning, and by Thursday afternoon, shoppers were hunting for bargains - though some areas were temporarily unavailable.
"The bargain basement will be closed today," said public relations manager Sonni Hood. "I know there's roof damage and some flooding on the lower level. We have a house here on our property that is home to several of our office buildings that received a lot of damage, but we are just ultimately grateful that everybody was safe."
For Henegar resident Wanda White, a lesson she learned in 2011 is what she credits for keeping her alive the next time nature's fury came to the door.
"As soon as the storm showed up, and we hear the sirens, in the shed we go," said White. "I won't make out without some shelter ever again. There's no way we could have survived. I know that, and I feel blessed."
As with the massive outbreak of 13 years prior, White says she will do as she did the time before.
"We'll just have to take it one day at a time and piece it back together."
Storm investigators continue to comb through areas hit by strong and damaging winds across the Tennessee Valley and compare their findings with radar and observation data. It is possible that more tornadoes will be confirmed in the coming days.
Do you have damage where you are? Text your photos to 256-382-2692!
