Officials report minimal storm damage across the county
FRANKLIN COUNTY — Storms that moved through Franklin County Sunday night caused only minor damage across the area, according to local officials and emergency responders.
In Phil Campbell, Mayor Greg Williams said the city saw very little impact from the storms.
The most notable damage occurred at a local business where strong winds damaged the building.
“A tin roof blew off one of the buildings at Leisure Creations,” Williams said.” The roof debris struck a transformer, knocking out power in the area.”
Alabama Power crews were called to inspect and address the issue.
Franklin County EMA Director Mary Glass said the damage to Leisure Creations was the most severe in the county.
Williams also reported damage at the Phil Campbell High School football stadium. He said the strong winds blew the foundation off of one of their sheds. The debris flew off and got stuck under a tree.
Mayor Williams, along with Phil Campbell Chief of Police, Jessica Clements, personally checked the area for storm-related damage. They looked for trees down in the roadways but did not find any significant issues.
In Russellville, Mayor David Grissom said the city experienced minimal problems as well.
Grissom was attending a conference in Washington, D.C., during the storms but stayed in contact with Russellville Street Superintendent Shannon Wilson to monitor conditions.
According to Wilson, only one tree was reported down in a roadway.
Grissom said he had also noticed a few trees had fallen on private property, but there were no widespread issues reported in the city.
Red Bay officials reported little to no storm impact.
Mayor Mike Shewbart said the city did not experience any damage beyond a few small limbs that fell during the storm.
Emergency responders in Tharptown also reported a relatively calm night.
Tharptown Volunteer Fire Department Chief Doug Coan said there had been reports of small limbs and a few small trees that had fallen into roadways.
Firefighters were also called to a residence after lightning struck a tree behind the home.
Coan said crews had to extinguish the tree after it caught fire.
Overall, he said the community was fortunate that the storm did not cause more serious damage.
“We were definitely blessed,” Coan said.
Belgreen Volunteer Fire Department Chief Donald Taylor said the only issue reported in his area involved a tree that fell onto a power line due to strong winds.
Firefighters responded to the scene Sunday afternoon to assist with the situation.
Officials in Vina reported no storm damage.
