Easter storms strike county

The northern part of Etowah County was hit hard early Sunday night as strong storms and possible tornadoes moved through the area.

Tornado-warned storms moved east from Jefferson County through Blount County and into Etowah County, where a tornado warning was issued shortly after 6 p.m.

There were reports of trees down in Reece City and on Lookout Mountain, and the Gadsden-Etowah Emergency Management Agency and Sheriff Jonathon Horton issued a statement after 8 p.m. closing roads in the areas of Reece City and Keener while first responders worked to clear roads.

Significant damage was also reported in Boaz and Sardis City on the Etowah-Marshall County line.

Gadsden/Etowah County Emergency Management Director Deborah Gaither said damage had been reported from the Walnut Grove-Altoona area through Keener and Reece City, and in the Boaz-Sardis area.

She said first responders have checked all the homes they’ve been able to get to, and no injuries have been reported thus far in Etowah County.

“That’s a blessing,” Gaither said.

Another line of storms with possible severe weather was set to move through the area later Sunday night. At about 10 p.m. Sunday, Gaither said the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office and other responding agencies had to pull back because of storms moving into the county. She said they left minimal personnel to keep people who didn’t live in the area out.

“They are checking driver’s licenses,” Gaither said.

“We know we have a lot of damage,” she said. Assessment of the damage will continue when daylight comes.

There was some damage in the Lookout Mountain area, including some damage at Noccaula Falls Park, she said. The Parks and Recreation director told her there was damage to some fencing, a power pole and the fox pen at the park. As in other areas, more will be known about the damage in daylight hours.

Gaither said the Salvation Army moved its canteen to the Reece City area to feed responders working in the area.

The storm system pounded the South all day Sunday, killing at least six people in south Mississippi and damaging up to 300 homes and other buildings in northern Louisiana, according to the Associated Press.

For the latest follow-ups on the storms, visit www.gadsdentimes.com.