Images of devastation – and recovery – continue to emerge from Lee County, Alabama and the surrounding area in the wake of Sunday’s devastating tornadoes. Twenty-three people, including three children, were killed in the storms. Scores more were injured and there is widespread devastation to homes and businesses. Relief efforts are underway, with first responders, utility crews and volunteers arriving from across the nation. Those wanting to volunteer are asked to: Unaffiliated Volunteer Registration Process Call 211 to register. Let 211 know what type of volunteer work you can do Lee County will be establishing a Volunteer Reception Center (VRC) on Wednesday, March 4, 2019 in the Smiths Station area. We... https://t.co/9dnG4VY8n1 — Lee County EMA (@LeeCountyEOC) March 5, 2019 Lee County Schools remain closed Tuesday as utility crews work to restore service to the area. The Sunday tornado was the deadliest to hit the U.S. since 2013, when 24 people were killed by an EF-5 tornado in Moore, Oklahoma on May 20, 2013. The NWS in Birmingham said preliminary assessments show the Lee County storm was likely an EF-4 with winds at around 170 mph. The Moore tornado had maximum winds of some 210 mph. Sunday’s deaths are the first tornado-related fatalities in Alabama since November 2016. At least four other tornadoes, ranging from EF-1s to EF-2s, hit Alabama on Sunday as well. The Lee County tornado packed winds of 170 mph and left a path of destruction a mile wide and almost 24 miles long. Here’s a look at the latest photos and videos of the storm damage and recovery: Take a look at pictures from Cajun Navy 2016. The team is helping perform search and rescue in the hardest hit areas in Lee County and shared these pictures with me. #alwx @WAAYTV pic.twitter.com/mLJOpEFUUr — Sydney Martin (@sydneyWAAY31) March 5, 2019 Some scary facts about that monster EF-4 tornado that hit Lee County Sunday leaving at least 23 dead. The National Weather Service says wind speeds were 170 mph, the tornado itself was nearly a mile wide, and it caused a 24 mile path of destruction from Alabama into Georgia. pic.twitter.com/34O6qVcUha — Judd Davis (@BamaJD) March 5, 2019 BREAKING: Death toll now 22 in Lee County, AL tornado, sheriff confirms: https://t.co/Lj4KSUHzfl pic.twitter.com/rHrFhFxnkb — The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) March 4, 2019 We’re getting a clearer view of the damage left behind by yesterday's tornado outbreak…everything we know: https://t.co/RkWDBHueMG pic.twitter.com/A5gLatd7Yv — Sean Breslin (@Sean_Breslin) March 4, 2019 Damage Survey Team #1 has confirmed two separate EF-1 tornadoes in Washington County Alabama. One south of Chatom, AL and one near Sims Chapel, AL. Click here for the full report: https://t.co/Ay29lwo6SH pic.twitter.com/OnBtkKpXts — NWS Mobile (@NWSMobile) March 4, 2019 Damage Survey Team #2 has confirmed two separate EF-1 tornadoes. One occurring in Butler County Alabama and the second occurring in Crenshaw County Alabama. Click here for the full report: https://t.co/Ay29lwo6SH pic.twitter.com/iRRPcyCUAZ — NWS Mobile (@NWSMobile) March 5, 2019 This GIF of before and after photos from the Lee County (Beauregard, AL) tornado shows this house and trailer left their foundations and ended up in the woods. @ReedTimmerAccu says the occupants survived. https://t.co/ETCh1hOTBI @NWSBirmingham @spann pic.twitter.com/t1SU3D4Fad — AccuWeather (@accuweather) March 4, 2019 Shannon Kelly's neighborhood in Beauregard, Ala., was the killer tornado's bull's eye. It's now unrecognizable. With her son and best friend, she returns to what barely remains of her home. https://t.co/MCwMT310iu pic.twitter.com/6rPI1jB7v5 — CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) March 5, 2019 I'm getting a first look at one of the hardest hit areas in Lee County from yesterday's tornado. @ALNewsNetwork pic.twitter.com/3a7NOT2LLE — DWallaceTV (@DWallaceTV) March 4, 2019 BREAKING: Preliminary EF-4 Tornado Damage has been found along County Road 39 just east of Cave Mill Road in southwestern Lee County. Winds have been estimated at 170mph. Single family homes were completely destroyed. Photos are from those survey locations. #alwx pic.twitter.com/euYNfSDY11 — NWS Birmingham (@NWSBirmingham) March 4, 2019 Flying above destruction in Alabama, drone footage revealed flattened forests, tangled with homes, cars and power lines; insulation from destroyed homes clung eerily to tree after tree https://t.co/MCwMT310iu pic.twitter.com/fIS73zWXyo — CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) March 5, 2019 Drone video shows home is gone, only pool remains, from the Beauregard tornado in Lee County, Alabama Sunday: https://t.co/B96XQMvL6M pic.twitter.com/JDJhW6sYJy — AccuWeather (@accuweather) March 4, 2019 "As soon as the siren went off, it was on us!" Among the more than 23 dead in the #tornado was a mother, grandmother, and sister named Vicki Braswell#Beauregard #BeauregardStrong pic.twitter.com/4lnDMRovpZ — Dave Malkoff (@malkoff) March 4, 2019 A resident took us on a tour of some of the damage on the backside of his property today. I had no idea what I was riding up on. This is just a small portion of what we saw. @elwynlopez #leecountytornado #LeeCountyStrong #leecountyalabama #BeauregardStrong #EF4 #11Alive #Storm11 pic.twitter.com/7d3kyWNtmL — Diana S. Zito (@ProducerDiana) March 5, 2019 This is driving back the other direction Southeast down our road. The #tornado went across the road about halfway through this video. (2/2) pic.twitter.com/d6Qt1PYfB4 — Scott Fillmer (@scottfillmer) March 4, 2019 Drove down our road just now, #tornado cut right through here, still amazed at the destruction. This is driving south west from our house outside Beauregard. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/7KBQoIiF1e — Scott Fillmer (@scottfillmer) March 4, 2019<doc-sep>Lee County’s sheriff is saying 23 people are dead amid “catastrophic” damage there following a possible tornado this afternoon. And more people are missing as crews search through wreckage and debris. Sunday’s death toll is more than double the number of people killed by tornadoes nationwide in all of 2018. Last year, 10 people died in tornadoes across the U.S., a record low. Sheriff Jay Jones told WRBL-TV on Sunday that damage followed a path several miles long and appeared up to a fourth of a mile wide. He said Sunday night that families in the area had “lost everything they ever had.” At a late news conference , Jones said crews were still working as of 9:30 p.m. to secure the areas hit by the storm. Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director Brian Hastings confirmed the death toll on social media, saying search and rescue operations are ongoing. The devastation prompted President Trump to tweet: To the great people of Alabama and surrounding areas: Please be careful and safe. Tornadoes and storms were truly violent and more could be coming. To the families and friends of the victims, and to the injured, God bless you all! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 4, 2019 Lee County was only one of several areas across Alabama hit by severe weather, as damage was reported in at least six counties. Shortly after the storm hit Lee County, a possible tornado struck near Eufaula’s Weedon Field Airport, according to reports. David Logan, Barbour County EMA director, said much of the damage was confined to the area around U.S. 431. The storm destroyed a fire station and a chicken hatchery, as well as inflicting damage on a few homes. There were reports of other storms in Washington, Macon, Autauga and Houston counties. Rita Smith, spokeswoman for the Lee County Emergency Management Agency, said first responders were on the scene in two different areas of the county. Smith said she could confirm multiple fatalities but that officials were still trying to gather information, and multiple search and rescue operations were underway. Lee County Coroner Bill Harris at 8 p.m. said victim ages range from children to 80s. “We’re still got people being pulled out of rubble,” he said. “We’re going to be here all night.” East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika stated at 6 p.m. that it had received more than 40 patients as a result of the tornado, with some sent to surrounding hospitals. As a result, the hospital is cancelling elective procedures for Monday morning. Lee County EMA said a tornado warning was issued at 2:38 p.m. Several reports are centered around the Smith Station area near Phenix City and the Alabama/Georgia line. Other reports came from the Beauregard area. EMA told residents that Smith Station Volunteer Fire Department Station #1 was where citizens affected by the storms should seek assistance with sheltering or unmet needs. Other storm warnings were issued this afternoon in south Alabama and the Wiregrass area. Alabama Power stated this afternoon that more than 10,000 customers were without power. The National Weather Service said it would send three survey teams out tomorrow. They will assess damage in Autauga, Macon, Lee and Barbour Counties. Gov. Kay Ivey said in a tweet that state EMA officials are working with local officials. She is extending the state’s state of emergency, issued Feb. 23, to deal with flooding. “Our hearts go out to those who lost their lives in the storms that hit Lee County today. Praying for their families & everyone whose homes or businesses were affected,” Ivey said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Due to Sunday's storm all Lee County Schools will be closed tomorrow 3/4/19 https://t.co/rqqxJLP7Av — Lee County Schools (@LeeCoSchools) March 3, 2019 Our hearts go out to those who lost their lives in the storms that hit Lee County today. Praying for their families & everyone whose homes or businesses were affected. Officials from @AlabamaEma & other agencies are quickly working to provide assistance. — Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) March 3, 2019 A @GoPro frame grab of the Lee County, AL tornado earlier today from @ScottPeakeWX pic.twitter.com/wwnl3G8xS8 — SevereStudios (@severestudios) March 3, 2019 I need prayers tornado just destroyed my house pic.twitter.com/7jbyNqMmmD — Evan (@zSmithii) March 3, 2019 Lee County Road 240 west of Smiths Station blocked by downed trees… photos from Krista Blanchard pic.twitter.com/y08btP4OgX — James Spann (@spann) March 3, 2019 @JoshWeather @EricSnitilWx @LeeWSFA @spann @NWSBirmingham here is a picture of the funnel cloud coming through Hope Hull that finally went into Lee County. Photo from Paul Bowden. pic.twitter.com/aT7bFNs7Qm — AL Storm Spotter (@SapperFoxtrot) March 3, 2019 CELL TOWER BROUGHT Down by the Tornado in Smith Station pic.twitter.com/Oz6r68Iy6z — Brandon Copic (@BrandonCopicWx) March 3, 2019 @spann Tornado moving across Smiths Station Alabama pic.twitter.com/VVlFuBiS7k — Chris Cannon (@CCannonforAU) March 3, 2019 Devastated to hear about the lives lost in Lee County, a place close to my heart. Wishing strength and healing for all those affected by today’s tornadoes. — Tim Cook (@tim_cook) March 4, 2019<doc-sep>
At least 22 people were killed when a possible tornado hit Lee County in southeast Alabama. Early assessments indicated the storm was at “least” an EF3 tornado that was a half-mile wide. National Weather Service crews will be in the area Monday to continue the damage surveys. Damage was also reported in Autauga, Macon, Lee and Barbour counties. The NWS issued a tornado emergency after a large and destructive tornado was reported at 2:15 p.m. near Smith Station in Lee County Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones said the search for missing people continues. Widespread damage and multiple injuries were reported. Search and rescue is still ongoing. The National Weather Service in Birmingham said it is investigating two storm tracks in Lee County, where damage consistent with “at least” an EF-3 tornado were reported. The tornado track there is at least one-half mile wide. Another team will go to Barbour County on Monday and then Autauga County on Tuesday for storm assessments. Multiple homes were damaged in Dupree, a community south of Dothan. Damage, including to the airport and fire station, were reported in Eufaula. The fatalities made Sunday the deadliest day for tornadoes in the U.S. since Jan. 22, 2017, when 16 people were killed in south Georgia. Here’s a look at photos and videos from Sunday’s storm and its aftermath: BREAKING: Preliminary EF-4 Tornado Damage has been found along County Road 39 just east of Cave Mill Road in southwestern Lee County. Winds have been estimated at 170mph. Single family homes were completely destroyed. Photos are from those survey locations. #alwx pic.twitter.com/euYNfSDY11 — NWS Birmingham (@NWSBirmingham) March 4, 2019 Video: every single line tree snapped off just above the ground in the heart of one of the most intense parts of the #tornado path in Lee County, AL. This is Beauregard @breakingweather @accuweather pic.twitter.com/cifgWXez8t — Reed Timmer (@ReedTimmerAccu) March 4, 2019 Families in Smith’s Station say they are the lucky ones. Their homes were destroyed in a tornado yesterday, but they are still alive. @mynbc15 @spann @colincahill13 pic.twitter.com/esXLRzKX4E — Nicole Fierro (@FierroNicole) March 4, 2019 The Lee County tornado crossing US 280 yesterday near Smiths Station. You can see the cell tower collapse at the beginning of the video. From Louis Bridges pic.twitter.com/YIYuZn5XnB — James Spann (@spann) March 4, 2019 Hwy 29 in Macon County South of Tuskegee ⁦@spann⁩ pic.twitter.com/zYvQvJKR91 — w r cannon 2 (@wrcannon2) March 4, 2019 First aerial look of Beauregard, Al after yesterday's intense tornado The aerial scenes from Beauregard are simply horrible. Posted by WXChasing on Monday, March 4, 2019 SHOCKING VIDEO: A puppy was rescued from rubble after a tornado struck Lee County, Alabama on Sunday afternoon. WRBL News reports at least 14 are dead as a result of the tornado. (Source: WRBL News Columbus, GA). pic.twitter.com/LKsaAy3aW5 — WKRG (@WKRG) March 4, 2019 Sunday brought deadly and destructive #tornadoes to the Southeast. In this video, homeowners were clearing debris around a heavily-damaged house about 45 miles north of Mobile, #Alabama. #ALwx pic.twitter.com/2JbrxeZEJZ — WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) March 4, 2019 Daybreak has revealed heartbreaking damage from yesterday's tornado outbreak in Alabama & Georgia. Full video: https://t.co/wAEWE4Znal pic.twitter.com/w02BJkjKlG — WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) March 4, 2019 First aerial look of Beauregard, Al after yesterday's intense tornado The aerial scenes from Beauregard are simply horrible. Posted by WXChasing on Monday, March 4, 2019 This was shot 20 minutes after the tornado hit her home in Lee County. Earnestine Reese is face timing family to let them know she was okay moments after being pulled from the debris. She suffered a broken hip and is at the hospital now with surgery scheduled for this morning. pic.twitter.com/cTJPBml7Gi — James Spann (@spann) March 4, 2019 Video shows destruction in Beauregard, Alabama after tornado leaves at least 14 people dead, according to officials in Lee County. https://t.co/Nh2TAH8mVz pic.twitter.com/6keijqTy3g — ABC News (@ABC) March 4, 2019 Parts of Eufaula, Alabama (Barbour County) are now unrecognizable after a strong tornado hit earlier today. This includes the Northside Fire Station located next to the Municipal Airport... the insulation from that building is now tangled in the snapped trees. #ALwx pic.twitter.com/bwLEjx2zfV — Amanda Curran ☼ (@WSFA_Amanda) March 4, 2019 Tornado damage at Beauregard (Lee County)… photo from Courtney Harris pic.twitter.com/OPMIzRwhM8 — James Spann (@spann) March 4, 2019 Damage at Beauregard in Lee County… video from Courtney Harris. The death toll is up to ten.