Possibility of severe thunderstorms, tornadoes threaten county

Published 2:36 pm Monday, February 28, 2011

By AMY JONES / Associate Editor

County residents should keep an eye out for inclement weather Feb. 28, including the possibility of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.

East central Shelby County is under a tornado warning until 4:15 p.m. Feb. 28, according to the National Weather Service.

The NWS released a hazardous weather outlook alert for most of central and north Alabama, including Shelby County.

According to the alert, a line of thunderstorms is moving from east to west across the state. The thunderstorms are expected to intensify as the afternoon goes on.

Areas west of Interstate 65 and north of Interstate 20 will be affected through about 5 p.m. Areas west of I-65 and south of I-20 will be affected through 7 p.m. Feb. 28.

While the highest chance of tornadoes is across north Alabama, isolated tornadoes are still a possibility across central Alabama, the alert read.

Central Alabama could also see some fast-moving winds, with possible gusts of up to 30-40 mph.

More severe storms could move into Shelby County March 5, the alert read.