AL.comreports that the twister touched down at 10:30 p.m. local time near Interstate 65 in Fultondale, about 8 miles north of Birmingham, and spanned about a quarter mile wide.
Fultondale Fire Chief Justin McKenzie confirmed the death toCBS News, while the city’s Police Chief D.P. Smith told the outlet that the victim, who is believed to be a teenager, died after being trapped in his family’s basement.
The family reportedly took shelter in the basement before a tree fell onto their home, triggering a collapse. According to AL.com, Smith confirmed the young manwas pronounced dead at the sceneat about 3 a.m.
“They were doing what they were supposed to be doing,” Smith of the family taking shelter. (According to the police chief, several other members of the victim’s family were injured while one, who was not injured, was in shock.)
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Alabama tornado destruction.
Fultondale Mayor Larry Holcomb confirmed the injury count to AL.com around 7 a.m. Tuesday, revealing that 11 people had been treated and released on the scene while another 17 were being tended to at hospitals.
The storm destroyed a bevy of businesses and downed power lines, which fell onto Interstate 65 and caused accidents, McKenzie toldCNN. AL.com reports overturned vehicles as a result of the tornado, as well.
Avideo from CNN affiliate WVTMshows considerable damage to the Hampton Inn Birmingham/Fultondale, while AL.com reports thatFultondale High Schoolsuffered “substantial damage” and many businesses, such asHurst Towing, were “destroyed.”
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Officials confirmed to multiple outlets that they were still looking for people trapped inside their homes, with Holcomb tellingAL.com, “We want to search every house and make sure no one is trapped, maybe not necessarily injured but just not able to get out.”
“It looks like a bomb went off,” added his 18-year-old son, Sam.
source: people.com
