NEwxguy's WunderBlog

Well,its already started down south with numerous tornado warnings and already damage reported in Alabama.I'm afraid this will be a day that will be remembered similar to last years tornado outbreak. The conditions are only going to get worse as the heating of the day increases.Will have to say a prayer for all those in the warning areas and the high risk areas.

A tornado emergency was declared in Madison County, Alabama, as a large and dangerous tornado was reported to have caused widespread damage in the city of Meridianville and at a high school, the National Weather Service said.

At least two apparent tornadoes struck northeast Alabama Friday, as the powerful storm chucked golf ball-sized hail on area residents, officials said.

They were the first reported twisters from a storm system that threatens the already hard-hit Midwest and South.

One apparent tornado touched down in Madison Country, an emergency official said.

Local schools were on lockdown as the storm passed.

Madison County Emergency Management reported several places where a tornado apparently touched down.

In adjacent Limestone County, just west of Huntsville, at least one apparent tornado was reported, Cindy Adams of the sheriff's office said. One apparent tornado touched down at least once before authorities could sound a warning siren, she said.

Authorities have reports of houses damaged in Madison County, said Paige Colburn, an Alabama emergency management official.

Forecasters said the areas most at risk for twisters on Friday would be southern Indiana, southern Ohio, most of Kentucky, central Tennessee, northeastern Mississippi and northwestern Alabama.

Storms were expected to proliferate during the afternoon, with the most likely window for tornadoes between 4 and 8 p.m. ET, according to CNN meteorologist Sean Morris.

There is the potential for widespread damaging wind gusts, large hail and violent tornadoes in some areas.