Five people die as devastating tornado rips through Alabama

Birmingham, Alabama - At least five people have died after a severe tornado left a trail of destruction in Calhoun County, Alabama.

Thursday's massive tornado left a trail of destruction in Alabama.
Thursday's massive tornado left a trail of destruction in Alabama.  © twitter/aaronjayjack

Numerous people and several homes were destroyed, when the devastating tornado hit the region, Sheriff Matthew Wade told the CNN Thursday night.

The National Weather Service reported 14 tornadoes in Alabama on Thursday, and warned that there could more could be coming,

"We're worrying about the second storm that's coming through, possibly on the same track," Wade said.

In Calhoun, three adults from the same family were killed when the tornado touched down in Ohatchee, about 60 miles northeast of Birmingham.

One man in a mobile home in Ohatchee and one woman in a mobile home in Wellington also died, bringing the storm's total fatalities to five.

In its destructive path, the tornado ripped houses apart, toppled trees, and downed power lines, leaving thousands without electricity in Alabama and the neighboring state of Georgia, according to poweroutage.us.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday issued a state of emergency for 46 counties ahead of the expected severe storms. Meanwhile, First Lady Jill Biden has canceled Friday's visit to Alabama with Jennifer Garner.

Cover photo: twitter/aaronjayjack

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