The Cherokee County Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency – Friday, conducted a preliminary damage assessment, in the wake of the severe storms which came through on Thursday. EMA Director Shawn Rogers stated that several areas across the county experienced damage, including some structures. They will continue to gather data over the coming days.
One person was fatally injured in a wreck occurring on Thursday evening – following torrential rainfall associated with the storm system that had made its way through a short time earlier. A 2014 Chevrolet collided with an 18-wheeler on Highway 9 just north of Cedar Bluff around 7:15, resulting in the death of a 66 year old male resident of Cedar Bluff; also, another occupant in the Chevrolet was listed as being hurt; however, no information regarding the extent of that person’s injuries was immediately available. That accident occurred near County Road 51 in the Farill community. Those responding to the scene included Gaylesville and Broomtown firefighters, the Cherokee County Rescue Squad, Alabama State Troopers and the Coroner’s Office. According to those on the scene wet road conditions as a result of the severe weather likely played a role in the fatal crash. We’ll have additional information once the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency report is made available.
As many as eight tornadoes may have hit Alabama Thursday, as the result of what is being called a “super cell”; that, according to the National Weather Service.
Calhoun County Coroner Pat Brown said four adults were killed in Ohatchee, three of them belonging to one family; while a female was killed in the Wellington area. On Friday those victims were identified as – Joe Wayne Harris, age 74; James William Geno, 72’; Ebonique Harris, 28; Emily Myra Wilborn, 72; and Barbara Harris, age 69. Those storms cut through Ohatchee and left a trail of destruction in the area of Ragan Chapel Road, destroying a church off of Alabama Highway 77, toppling both trees and power poles along the way.
At a 10:00pm press conference Thursday Calhoun County Sheriff Matthew Wade said that the path of the storm extended from River Road in Ohatchee through Wellington to Kimberly Road in Piedmont.