MOTHER NATURE

Tornado Blazes Trail of Destruction Through Alabama

Roofs were ripped off homes and baseball-sized hail was reported in some areas.

Authorities in Alabama are reporting extensive damage and thousands without electricity after a tornado tore through the state late Monday. Gov. Kay Ivey said emergency crews had been sent to Jacksonville and Calhoun County, which appeared to be hit the hardest. The storm, which reportedly produced baseball-sized hail in addition to at least one tornado, ripped roofs off homes and downed power lines in several areas. There were no immediate reports of casualties, but authorities said it could take days to assess all the damage. Several schools were set to be closed Tuesday, and residents in some areas were urged to avoid traveling due to concerns about power lines in the roads.