US: Two fatalities due to ongoing storm in Alabama state December 16-17

Event

Local police officials confirmed the deaths of two individuals and the injury of an additional four people at least due to an ongoing storm in Alabama state as of the early hours (local time) of Tuesday, December 17. Authorities are carrying out door-to-door checks to assess situation; state troopers, as well as fire and rescue teams are deployed to the affected areas as of 00:15 on Tuesday. 

The US National Weather Service (NWS) issued a statement at 23:15 on Monday, December 16, warning of a slight risk (second-lowest on a five-tier scale) of tornadoes and damaging winds up to 60 kph (37 mph) across several northeastern countries through to 07:00 on Tuesday. Rain and thunderstorms are ongoing and expected to continue into the coming hours. Several schools have said that they will delay opening on Tuesday until 10:00. Further business disruptions are possible in affected areas.

Flooding, transportation, power, and communications disruptions are expected in the affected areas in the coming hours and days. 

Advice

Individuals in the affected areas are advised to monitor local weather reports, adhere to instructions issued by local authorities (e.g. road closures, evacuations), anticipate power outages and transportation disruptions, including dangerous driving conditions, and remember that running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater may contain wastewater and chemical products; items having come into contact with floodwater should be disinfected and all foodstuffs discarded.