(WHNT) — Severe storms with strong winds, lightning and heavy rain moved through the Tennessee Valley on Wednesday, August 9.
The storm system has caused damage to homes, structures, and trees – and lightning strikes associated with these storms caused multiple homes to catch fire.
A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 8 p.m. for News 19’s entire coverage area. You can get the latest forecast information here.
Madison County
A large number of power outages have been reported near the MidCity District.
Huntsville Utilities (HU) said crews responded to a power outage in the Northwest Huntsville area impacting customers from Bob Wade Ln south to Old Madison Pike and from Jeff Rd east to Memorial Parkway on Wednesday afternoon.
At 6:15 p.m., HU reported that over 6,000 people were without power.
As of 9:30 p.m., HU said service has been restored to all customers in areas where power outages were previously reported. The outages were all cleared around 8:15 p.m. this evening. The primary cause of the outages was lightning however the secondary cause was tree limbs and fallen trees.
Limestone County
The Limestone County EMA reported that lightning struck a tree and car in the 15000 block of Kings Dr. The caller said that it blew 2 tires out on the vehicle.
Additionally, Limestone County EMA said there is a tree across the road on Highway 72 at Little Elk Road, which has caused a 2 vehicle accident. No injuries were reported, but the westbound lane is blocked.
Fire departments have reportedly responded to multiple fires in Limestone County that may have been caused by lightning strikes.
The Limestone County EMA reported that Athens Fire was on the scene of two fires on Summit Lake Drive. Fire Chief James Hand said one of the calls at Summit Lakes was a small attic fire.
Two of the lightning-related calls Athens Fire responded to were minor gas leaks, according to Hand.
One home on Mooresville Road has major roof damage after a lightning strike caused it to catch fire.
On Southern Heritage Lane in Athens, another home sustained major roof damage from a lightning strike-related fire. Fire officials say no injuries were reported as a result of this fire.
The East Limestone Volunteer Fire Department received the call around 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday. When they arrived, they say a lot of the attic was involved in the fire, and the fire was just blowing out the roof.
It took them about an hour to an hour and a half to get the blaze under control. Kirk said firefighters then worked alongside the Piney Chapel Fire Department for a couple of hours to put out hotspots.
East Limestone Fire Chief Tony Kirk told News 19 that parts of the home are a complete loss.
Limestone County EMA said power lines and a transformer were down at Tanner First Baptist Church on U.S. Highway 31.
DeKalb County
The DeKalb County EMA has reported trees down on County Road 89 near the boy scout camp at Mentone and on Industrial Lane near Sylvania.
Schools Closings and Delays
Cornerstone Christian Academy, Fort Payne City Schools, DeKalb County Schools, Jackson County Schools and the Jackson County Courthouse will both be on a two-hour delay on Thursday. For information or updates on any weather closing or delays, you can visit our Weather Closings page.
