According to the National Weather Service a TORNADO WATCH has been issued for the following counties until 8:00pm (CT):

Bibb, Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Chilton, Choctaw, Clarke, Colbert, Cullman, Dallas, DeKalb, Etowah, Fayette, Franklin, Greene, Hale, Jackson, Jefferson, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marengo, Marion, Marshall, Morgan, Perry, Pickens, Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter, Talladega, Tuscaloosa, Walker, Washington, Wilcox, and Winston

A total of 46 counties are currently under a State of Emergency issued by Governor Kay Ivey because of the severe weather.

The State of Emergency started at 10:00am – and initially included 28 counties.  Ivey later added another 18 to the list – which at this time includes Autauga, Bibb, Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Chilton, Choctaw, Clarke, Clay, Cleburne, Colbert, Coosa, Cullman, Dallas, DeKalb, Elmore, Etowah, Fayette, Franklin, Greene, Hale, Jackson, Jefferson, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Lowndes, Madison, Marengo, Marion, Marshall, Morgan, Perry, Pickens, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Walker, Washington, Wilcox and Winston counties.

Alabama is under a level 5 risk today, the highest category – with widespread, severe storms expected.

“Once again, Alabama finds herself facing the threat of severe weather,” Ivey said. “I urge all Alabamians to closely monitor the weather system as it continues to impact portions of our state, especially if you are in the line of the highest risk storms. We will continue following this system and stand ready to provide any assistance we are able, should the need arise.”

The National Weather Service is urging everyone to be on guard, no matter what risk level their area is listed in – and that means having access to all alerts – of course, we will keep you update with the latest here on WEIS Radio – 100.5 FM and 990AM – and on our news site at weisradio.com – and through our FREE Text Alert System – all you have to do is text WEATHER 1 to 77000.  We’ve also provided a link to sign up for the CODE RED alerts https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/BFB7CC4C6C0A

CHEROKEE COUNTY STORM SHELTERS

• Leesburg FEMA Building / 211 Industrial Boulevard
• Sand Rock Community Storm Shelter / 2005 Sand Rock Avenue
• New Bethel Baptist Church Storm Shelter / 9545 U.S. Highway 411 North
• Cedar Bluff Community Center / 3413 Old Highway 9
• Cherokee County Courthouse Basement / 100 Main Street, Centre