Storm causes minor damage, power outages across north Jefferson
Published 12:26 pm Friday, February 25, 2011
- The last of Thursday night's stormclouds roll south on Friday morning, leaving behind a blue sky over north Jefferson County.
Heavy storms and a tornado warning rocked north Jefferson County and parts of Blount County Thursday night, causing damage in several cities and towns.
The National Weather service issued a tornado warning for portions of Walker and Blount Counties, including Hayden, at about 11:30 p.m. Thursday. Shortly after, a tornado warning was also issued for Gardendale, Morris, Kimberly, Warrior and Mt. Olive.
Morris may have suffered the worst damage with two downed power lines; one on U.S. Hwy. 31 and another on Driftwood Drive. The National Weather Service reported a possible tornado cell near Morris at about 11:40 p.m., although it never fully formed. Some Morris residents also lost power between midnight and 3 a.m.
In Kimberly, limbs were scattered on U.S. Hwy. 31 Thursday night, but crews had roads clear by Friday morning. There was also a tree down on Kelly Drive and one on Adams Road. In addition, the Kimberly Fire Department had roof damage after several shingles were blown off. Kimberly Town Hall had slight damage when a piece of metal on the front of the building was loosened and twisted by strong winds. Kimberly officials said wind gusts reached 60 mph Thursday night.
Gardendale had one telephone line down on Longwood Circle, although police said telephone lines aren’t an electrocution danger. There was also some damage to small, decorative trees within the city. Gardendale police also said Pinson had some power outages.
Fultondale also made it through the night without much damage; the only report the police received was for a downed tree on Stinson Way.
Warrior Police Chief Ray Horn said there was no major damage from the storm, but the city had a few trees blown down.