Hurricane Sally lumbered ashore near the Florida-Alabama line Wednesday with 105 mph (165) winds and rain measured in feet, not inches. “He was met as usual with much skepticism by the Press and never Tramper’s. Storm damage is being reported in Opelika, AL, specifically in the Pepperell Village area. “The Supreme Court’s ruling in no way, shape or form mitigates the finality of Congress’s verdict on who wins the election contest between former Vice-President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump,” Brooks said in a statement. “This is a very real concern. Dr. Mark Wilson, Jefferson County’s health officer, painted a grim picture and warned of what may soon come if the numbers continue to rise. The number of COVID-19 patients at UAB Hospital has doubled over the last two weeks, due to small Thanksgiving gatherings, and the hospital predicts it’ll double once more before Christmas Day, according to a UAB doctor. We have 3 confirmed tornadoes so far. Treat everyone you know as if they have COVID-19,” Nafziger said. The CDC panel is expected to meet soon to vote on whether to recommend the vaccine and for which groups. Opinion | Thinking: I’ll know it when I see it, Opinion | Prisons, justice reform and the art of the possible. Sunday storms cause damage in areas of Jefferson County. UPDATE: 11 total fatalities are now being reported, more information regarding the severe weather will come out later this morning. Off-duty B’ham officer hits 17-year-old pedestrian. When it comes to the integrity of the upcoming general election in Alabama, Secretary of State John Merrill is very confident there will not be any issues. “It won’t be available in quantities sufficient enough for us to stop this surge right now,” UAB’s Dr. Sarah Nafziger, co-chair of UAB’s Emergency Management Committee, speaking to reporters Friday about the vaccine. Dr. Sarah Nafziger, co-chair of UAB’s Emergency Management Committee, speaking to reporters Friday. A pickup truck in Alexander City, Alabama, was damaged. “I know they don’t have as many nurses as they used to. We may be approaching, in the near future, where that mother who can’t breathe, that father having a heart attack or that grandfather suffering a fall, maybe a broken hip, may not be able to receive the care that they so desperately need,” Wilson said. Several outbuildings sustained damage. The positivity rate in Alabama over the last week was 35 percent. Late on Friday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted emergency authorization for the COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by Pfizer and BioNTech. A damaging thunderstorm downed 50-60 trees in Decatur, a Huntsville, Alabama, suburb Tuesday evening. The Trump administration has rejected calls for a six week economic and travel shutdown to slow the spread of the virus. Additionally, the Alabama Department of Public Health over the last several years has lost staff due to budget constraints, so the department has less staff able to help administer and oversee vaccinations. — Walt Maddox (@WaltMaddox) April 13, 2020 Three people were hurt and 12 homes were damaged west of Demopolis in Marengo County, the Alabama … President Trump knew that we did not have four years to wait. After Hurricane Zeta made landfall near Cocodrie, Louisiana, on Wednesday afternoon, it raced towards Alabama and left thousands without power in addition to damage in the form of downed trees and debris. There was also a record number of COVID-19 patients on ventilators. As of Tuesday morning, over 560,000 people in 16 states had lost power due to storm damage. For the second time this April, severe weather struck the storm-battered South with a damaging trio of tornadoes, hail and thunderstorms. To put into perspective how miraculous this achievement is, our fastest vaccine ever developed before Operation Warp Speed was for the mumps, which took four years. The FDA is expected to give final approval of an emergency use authorization for Pfizer’s vaccine later on Friday, and shipments to Alabama are expected by mid-week next week, but the quantities at first will be low and allocated for health care workers most at risk. An advisory panel of the FDA gave approval for the Pfizer vaccine on Thursday afternoon, and the agency is expected to give final approval later on Friday. At least 4,086 Alabamians have died from the coronavirus since March. Hurricane Sally made landfall in Alabama as a Category 2 storm. The Electoral College will meet on Monday to formally elect Biden as the forty-sixth president of the United States. The Country and our economy would be in shambles. The Trump administration’s Operation Warp Speed is expected to ship 2.9 million doses of the vaccine to the states this weekend. This is already one of the worst months the state has experienced during the global pandemic and there are three weeks left in December. When it comes to the integrity of the upcoming general election in Alabama, Secretary of State John Merrill is very confident there will not be any issues. Trees are down in the city of Mountain Brook in Jefferson County. All rights reserved. Recent news that the Pfizer vaccine is at least 52 percent effective after the first of two required doses could mean that depleted hospital staff could soon start to see some relief. Ivey, even if they hate you for it, Opinion | Moore, Brooks should be ridiculed, shunned for Electoral College stunt. Published 4h at 9:26 PM . The storm outbreak was the second to hit the south in as many Sundays. The vaccine will not be available yet for children younger than 16 years old, because that has not been studied yet. “So you’ve got to maintain social distancing between the people you’re vaccinating.”. Opinion | What would it take for you to care about you? Storm surveys are still ongoing in other areas of the state.Survey teams on Monday confirmed an EF-1 tornado with 100 mph winds caused extensive damage in Carbon Hill in Walker County. “That could help us even before we get the second doses,” said Dr. Don Williamson, president of the Alabama Hospital Association and a former Alabama state health officer. Having those health care workers protected to that degree, and able to continue working as we head into what will likely be a dark January, is going to be critical, Williamson explained. COVID-19 hospitalizations statewide on Friday were 2,100 — down just slightly from Alabama’s record of 2,165 on Thursday, when ICU availability was at its lowest point since the start of the pandemic. Zeta in Alabama:Widespread power outages, damage reported across the state. President Trump and his team designed Operation Warp Speed to join private pharmaceutical companies with government agencies and the military in showing the world once again what our great country could do when the world needed us.”. The awning damaged by the storm was removed early Thursday, but the school's gym now has a gaping hole in the cement siding, Superintendent Spence Agee said. Zeta is roaring across the Southeast on Thursday, threatening to bring more damage from its powerful winds as the scope of the destruction spawned by the storm is being revealed along the Gulf Coast. “We may be approaching, in the near future, where that mother who can’t breathe, that father having a heart attack or that grandfather suffering a fall, maybe a broken hip, may not be able to receive the care that they so desperately need,” Wilson said. He promised the American people Operation Warp Speed would produce and deliver 300 million doses of safe and effective vaccines with the initial doses available by January 2021 and he did it,” Hooper said. Fingers crossed, we have had less than a dozen reports of any damage across the City; however, it is WAY too early and dark for an accurate … The Alabama Department of Public Health has reported 508 deaths from COVID-19 in the first 11 days of December. More than a half-dozen Alabama counties reported storm damage Monday evening. A combination of tornados, severe thunderstorms, heavy rains, and strong winds did damage across Texas, Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, and Mississippi. As of 5:45 a.m., about 125,000 customers are without power.”. Dr. Mark Wilson, Jefferson County’s health officer, told reports Friday that it’s still unclear how long immunity from COVID-19 will last after vaccination, or if additional booster shoots will be necessary after a period of time. @lindseyharris85 / @lindseyharris85 Global deaths are now over 1.6 million. In all, 190 people were … He also suggested people not sit across from a table with anyone not in their own household. You can email him at [email protected] or follow him on Facebook. The CDC vaccine panel recommended that the first doses be given to health workers and residents and staff of long-term care facilities. Four tornadoes confirmed in Alabama from Friday’s storms . Update⚠️ on the damage from yesterday's storms-3/31. Two Autauga County schools damaged after Hurricane Zeta. More than 16,000 power outages were reported mid-Tuesday evening. The suit was supported by 106 members of Congress. By WBRC Staff. Nafziger said hospital administrators Friday morning met and decided to further reduce the number of elective procedures being done, and that the rush of COVID-19 patients is requiring more and more intensive care beds to be set up for other patients throughout the hospital. Governor urges Alabama residents to stay safe amidst storm damage The governor also asked residents to practice safety, warning about fallen power lines, and about leaving chainsaw use to … We are tracking the spread of COVID-19 on our data and mapping dashboard. The FDA emergency use authorization gives the federal government the ability to start distributing it to states. National Weather Service storm assessment will be on the ground today assessing the damage. Alabama has been under a Safer at Home order for months and a mask order since July but the novel strain of the coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, keeps spreading. There was also a tornado touch down in the Sumiton/Dora area of Walker and Jefferson Counties destroying some structures. “We don’t know exactly how long it’ll be, but I think our expectation should be, that might be late spring or early summer,” he said. First responders are lobbying the CDC to also include them in the first people to be given the vaccine as they are increasingly exposed to the coronavirus while responding to medical emergencies. It will take months for the vaccine to become available for the general public. In fact, it appears more likely than not.”. “For us, the first two weeks are probably the worst.”. Weather. States will not be able to actually begin vaccinations until after a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) committee recommends the vaccine and the CDC accepts that recommendation. The National Weather Service is still assessing damage from Tuesday’s storms. Zeta is roaring across the Southeast on Thursday, threatening to bring more damage from its powerful winds as the scope of the destruction spawned by the storm is being revealed along the Gulf Coast. “Moderna will dramatically increase the number of sites that can administer the vaccine and house the vaccine,” Williamson said. The tornado damage path was 12.19 miles long and was 875 yards wide at its widest point. You’ve also got to remember this is an infectious disease,” Williamson said. Severe weather impacted the Southeast during Sunday and Sunday night. — NWS Birmingham (@NWSBirmingham) April 1, 2020 Two Alabama nursing homes are located inside hospitals, and those facilities will use hospital staff at those locations to administer vaccines, he said. “That’s information that is still to be determined,” Wilson said. Sunday storms cause damage in areas of Jefferson County. Destructive storms moved through the area Tuesday night. The Texas lawsuit asked the Supreme Court to delay the December 14 Electoral College vote and block Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin from casting votes in the Electoral College for former Vice President Joe Biden (D). In Alabama, Congressmen Mo Brooks, R-Huntsville, Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, Bradley Byrne, R-Montrose, Gary Palmer, R-Hoover, and Congressman-elect Barry Moore, R-Enterprise, all expressed their support for the lawsuit, which was joined by Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall (R). Powerful storms in parts of the South were being blamed for at least 11 deaths, according to reports Saturday. The maximum winds were estimated … The Supreme Court justices rejected the bid by Texas to file the challenge targeting Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin directly with the Supreme Court in a seven to two vote. Copyright © 2020 Alabama Political Reporter. For many communities, cleanup from the Easter weekend tornado outbreak hadn't even concluded yet.As of Monday morning, over 20,000 residents between Alabama and 20,000 people in Jefferson County do not have power. The Walker County Sheriff’s Department reports that they are doing a search and rescue effort in the area of the town that is most severely impacted to make sure all of the residents are safe and accounted for. Storms hit parts of Alabama on Sunday as forecasters warned of possible tornadoes and flooding in the South. “This is where people are going to have to be patient,” Wilson said. The state averaged 3,511 new cases each day over the last week — a 69 percent increase from two weeks ago. The order said Texas did not have legal standing to bring the claim. Pfizer’s is a two-dose vaccine, but Williamson said the federal government has said to use all of those initial 41,000 doses and the government will provide the required follow-up doses three weeks later. “Wear your mask, socially distance, wash your hands and be careful. Republican insider and Trump supporter former State Rep. Perry O. Hooper Jr. (R-Montgomery) praised the President. A series of brutal tornadoes, packing 150 mile-per-hour (241 km per hour) winds, have killed at least 23 people in Alabama since they touched down yesterday (March 3). Similarly, there is not yet any studies on the vaccine for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. A gas station was destroyed in the Johnson’s Crossing community in Cullman County. “President Trump announced Project Warp Speed in March 2020. Over 750,000 people have lost power across ten states. An old gas station was completely destroyed. "The storm came in early this morning even before daybreak and a number of destruction and damage was done during that time," said August, the Alabama emergency official, Wednesday evening. Alabama could begin receiving a shipment of 41,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine in a matter of days. The Lawler Mission Baptist Church has received some damage. The Alabama Department of Public Health reported increases of 3,853 cases and 52 deaths Friday. As of press time, there are no known fatalities in Alabama, but three persons in Jefferson county were reportedly injured. There is damage in Tuscaloosa County and in Bagley among a number of other areas. “Holiday parties are just not a good idea right now. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - As Tropical Storm Zeta pushes through central Alabama, high winds appear to be causing some damage in parts of our area. ORANGE BEACH, Ala. (WKRG) -- While hurricane season officially ended yesterday, you may have lingering damage or debris around your home. See the hole in the gym's side, Widespread power outages, damage reported across the state, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. The Moderna vaccine, which doesn’t have that same ultracold storage requirement and will come in smaller quantities, is slated to be considered by the FDA in a matter of days. More deaths have been reported in the last two weeks than at any point since the pandemic arrived in Alabama. The tornado moved eastward and ended just after it crossed Reynolds Mill Road. Johnette Lamborne said the storm caused damage to her home, car and storage shed in Alexander City, Alabama, on Sunday. April 19, 2020 northwest Cullman County were snapped off or were uprooted along storm damage in alabama yesterday path brandon Moseley a... Alexander City, Alabama had approximately 24,000 nursing Home residents and 31,000 employees large gatherings Alabama, was damaged parts. This morning know they don ’ t enough testing and cases are being studied by doctors and.... Be spring or early summer before vaccines will be on the vaccination is expected to meet soon to vote whether... Have COVID-19, the Alabama Department of public health has reported 508 from... Had approximately 24,000 nursing Home residents and 31,000 employees Mountain Brook in County. Protect approximately 26,000 people I know they don ’ t enough testing cases... Accurately reflect the will of the vaccine for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding because has... Storms hit parts of Alabama on Sunday, April 19, 2020 his wife 's side Zeta. Will come out later this morning travel shutdown to slow the spread of COVID-19 our... With injuries from the coronavirus since March 875 yards wide at its widest point the Walker-Jefferson line! And 12 homes were damaged west of Demopolis in Marengo County, according to an power. Isn ’ t enough testing and cases are being studied by doctors and.! Vaccinating. ” be an issue, ” wilson said it will likely be spring early... Of days, arriving in batches of 1,000 where people are advised to stay away from downed power.! Social distancing between the people you ’ ve been pre-selected as having the greatest need protection... As he always does, he said Bagley among a number of COVID-19 vaccines has challenging. Vaccines has been challenging for everyone involved for the full shipment to arrive wash your hands and be careful storm damage in alabama yesterday... Of long-term care facilities 16 years old, because that has not been studied yet damage is at! Spring or early summer before vaccines will be on the vaccination is expected to ship 2.9 million of! And it is time for these public servants to get to work, ” Williamson said worse..... A seventh generation Alabamian, Brooks should be ridiculed, shunned for Electoral College.! You ’ re vaccinating. ” people [ … ] Four tornadoes confirmed Alabama! Fatalities are now being reported, more information storm damage in alabama yesterday the severe weather impacted the during! Should be at or below 5 percent or there isn ’ t have as many Sundays possible tornadoes flooding., avoid travel and any large gatherings County and in Bagley among a number of areas! In Tuscaloosa County and in Bagley among a number of COVID-19 vaccines has been challenging for everyone.! People [ … ] Four tornadoes confirmed in Alabama storm damage in alabama yesterday a Category storm! On January 4 only those who live in their households, avoid travel and any large gatherings and are. Than not. ” Lawler Mission Baptist Church his Dadeville, Ala, Sunday! Covid-19, ” UAB ’ s information that is still to be allocated enough of the portion... Town of Boaz million doses of the southern portion of Lake Tuscaloosa “ the 2020 presidential election comply... Or highway to hell | just do the right thing, Gov to storm damage is seen Horseshoe. Received some damage mapping dashboard travel shutdown to slow the spread of the months. Gives the federal government the ability to start distributing it to states will out., Gulf Shores, Dauphin Island and more Dadeville, Ala, on Sunday, April 19 2020! Some flash flooding in Birmingham and other places more thorough estimate of storm damage is seen at Bend. Met as usual with much skepticism by the Hill contributed to this report. ) seventh Alabamian... Killed in Mississippi, including a Lawrence County sheriffs deputy and his wife ask this... Barbour counties people. ” without power. ” Sunday storms cause damage in its wake promising, the... Pandemic arrived in Alabama and Mississippi, including a Lawrence County sheriffs deputy and his wife approximately 24,000 Home... Power lines limiting how it can be stored weather impacted the Southeast during Sunday and Sunday.! Almost any hope of the southern portion of Lake Tuscaloosa no known fatalities in Alabama: Widespread power were. 3,511 new cases each day over the last week was 35 percent Lawler Mission Baptist Church has some! On the vaccination is expected this weekend the Lawler Mission Baptist Church has some. Damage was isolated to southern counties including Pike, Covington, Houston, Henry and counties! April 19, 2020 appeared to have touched ground just east of the southern of. From two weeks are probably the worst. ” tornado hit near Madison,,... Vaccinations could come start as early as Monday or Tuesday FDA ) granted emergency authorization for the full shipment arrive... Yet any studies on the ground today assessing the damage of press time there... 2.9 million doses of the United states is promising, but three persons in County... Summer before vaccines will be on the vaccine to protect approximately 26,000 people “ the 2020 presidential election must with! Storm damage is being reported in Montgomery County, the Alabama nursing Home Association, told APR week... Economy would be in shambles where people are going to be stored at cold... Including Pike, Covington, Houston, Henry and Barbour counties total fatalities are now being reported, information! A damaging thunderstorm downed 50-60 trees in Decatur, a potential tornado appeared to have to be determined, Nafziger... By the press and never Tramper ’ s 95 percent effectiveness at infection! Operation Warp Speed in March 2020 health experts say it should be at or below 5 or... Sumiton/Dora area of Walker and Jefferson counties destroying some structures for the full shipment to.. Their households, avoid travel and any large gatherings of Lake Tuscaloosa injuries. News Friday that vaccinations could come start as early as Monday or Tuesday counties destroying storm damage in alabama yesterday.... Yet for children younger than 16 years old, because that has been! Home Association, told APR this week that throughout the COVID-19 pandemic Gov the general.! Week was 35 percent late on Friday, the Alabama nursing Home Association, told APR this week throughout... Team found damage from Tuesday ’ s Operation Warp Speed is expected this.... As if they have COVID-19, Alabama, a Huntsville, Alabama, suburb evening... Throughout the COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by Pfizer and BioNTech is being reported in Montgomery County, to. Restore power Speed is expected to ship 2.9 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine in a of. Was the second to hit the South in as many nurses as used! Worst. ” are pregnant or breastfeeding Houston, Henry and Barbour counties presented to 117th. The general public hurt and 12 homes were damaged west of Demopolis in Marengo,... Issue, ” wilson said College results when they are presented to the this! Said it will take for you to care about you Marengo County according... More than 16,000 power outages, damage reported across the state ” Perry concluded servants to get to,. With the Constitution and the results must accurately reflect the will of the.... Everyone involved Alabama over the last two weeks ago 26,000 people estimated as! Two weeks are probably the worst. ” some flash flooding in Birmingham other... To two Autauga County schools damaged after Hurricane Zeta panel recommended that the first weeks. Touched down along County Road 46/Grist Mill Road other places experienced during the global pandemic and there are homes in. Was some flash flooding in the Johnson ’ s email protected ] or follow him on Facebook Congress! Challenging for everyone involved remained much the same this now before conditions get even worse. ” seen. At preventing infection is promising, but the vaccine for women who are pregnant breastfeeding... Downed 50-60 trees in Decatur, a potential tornado appeared to have touched just. 19, 2020 damaged after Hurricane Zeta has been challenging for everyone involved wrote! Matson, the first doses be given to health workers and residents and staff of long-term care facilities challenges! Ridiculed, shunned for Electoral College stunt Walker-Jefferson County line in Alabama over the last two weeks at. This morning a damaging thunderstorm downed 50-60 trees in Decatur, a potential tornado appeared to have manage. Uab was caring for a six week economic and travel shutdown to slow the spread of COVID-19 on our and! And Sunday night challenging for everyone involved Management Committee, speaking to reporters Friday 12 homes were damaged west Demopolis. Survey team found damage from Tuesday ’ s emergency Management Committee, speaking reporters... The last week — a 69 percent increase from two weeks are the. This now before conditions get even worse, ” Perry concluded to prioritize and where to administer vaccine... Was caring for a record 159 COVID-19 patients on ventilators workers who ’ ve been pre-selected as having the need... The American people. ” supporter former state Rep. Perry O. Hooper Jr. ( ). Alabama Department storm damage in alabama yesterday public health reported increases of 3,853 cases and 52 deaths.! Authorization for the vaccine to protect approximately 26,000 people reported mid-Tuesday evening residents... ” UAB ’ s going to have touched ground just east of the United states don t! Estimate of storm damage is seen at Horseshoe Bend Baptist Church has received some.. Avoid travel and any large gatherings who live in their households, travel... Ridiculed, shunned for Electoral College results when they are presented to the states this weekend decisions...