Storms, tornadoes kill 5 in Alabama

DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. — Authorities say five people have been killed as a line of storms and possible tornadoes moved across northern Alabama overnight.

Jackson County Chief Deputy Rocky Harnen told The Associated Press the three killed were all in a mobile in Rosalie in northeast Alabama. Another person in the home was critically injured.

Harnen also said early Wednesday that there have been a number of other injuries and estimated that 16 to 20 structures in Jackson County have been destroyed.

The National Weather Service reported a 24-hour daycare outside Ider, Alabama was destroyed from the storm, leaving four children in critical condition.

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There have been multiple reports of possible tornadoes across several counties in northern Alabama and southern Tennessee.

About 15 to 20 structures were destroyed, including the Macklin Baptist Church and Rosalie Plaza, a convenience store, gas station and strip mall, according to the weather service and Rocky Harman, chief deputy of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. Images of the devastation show structures caved in or smashed down to the foundation.

The same line of storms is headed toward Georgia and could produce heavy rain for metro Atlanta. 

Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Karen Minton said the line of storms is expected to reach Atlanta by 1 p.m. It is expected to bring heavy rain.

We're continuing to track the storms as they move into Georgia on Channel 2 Action News throughout the day.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

Cox Media Group