Reported tornado strikes Birmingham, Alabama; Governor declares state of emergency for flooding

By Mark Leberfinger, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer

December 26,2015; 9:30PM,EST

 

 

Violent weather continued across the southern United States on Christmas Day with a reported tornado striking Birmingham, Alabama.
This storm hit southwestern Birmingham on Friday, December 25, 2015. One person was injured, city officials said. (Photo/Twitter/Michele Dickey).
Only one injury was reported, Birmingham city officials told AL.com. Three structures were destroyed and a fourth one was damaged as a result of the storm that hit the southwestern part of the city around 5:00 p.m. CST Friday over about a 1 square-mile radius.
The National Weather Service at Birmingham issued a tornado warning for the storm. It said a damage survey assessment will be conducted on Saturday to determine whether a tornado did touch down but it does appear that "a significant tornado" did hit the area.
Lightning illuminates a house after a tornado touched down in Jefferson County, Ala., damaging several houses, Friday, Dec. 25, 2015, in Birmingham, Ala. A Christmastime wave of severe weather continued Friday. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Other storms in Alabama since Thursday have produced flooding downpours, leading Gov. Robert Bentley to declare a state of emergency.
"Between 3 and 4 inches of rain fell in the Birmingham area in about 3 hours Friday," AccuWeather Meteorologist Mike Doll said. "The extreme rainfall rates overwhelmed storm drains and quickly filled creeks and streams."
RELATED:
Post-Christmas storm to slam central US with flooding, severe weather and snow
AccuWeather severe weather center
AccuWeather VideoWall
"Many parts of Alabama have experienced excessive rainfall and flooding is a major concern," Bentley said in a news release Friday afternoon. "By issuing a State of Emergency, I have directed all state agencies to take necessary actions to be prepared to respond to the anticipated flooding across Alabama. We will actively monitor the flooding, and are prepared to respond to any requests for assistance."
Bradford Road in Springville, Ala. was impassable due to a culvert pipe washed out because of flooding at Murphrees Valley Road on Friday, Dec. 25, 2015. (Photo/Facebook/St. Clair County, Ala., Emergency Management Agency).