From Tribune staff reports
Gov. Kay Ivey issued a State of Emergency on Saturday afternoon, which suspends all COVID-19 orders for this evening only in preparation for severe storms striking the state throughout the day and into the night.
The order eases social distancing measures and allows for people to leave their homes and seek shelter in community safe rooms.
“Shelters and community safe rooms should remain open and accessible to all individuals seeking refuge from this severe weather, while implementing reasonable practices and procedures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among those seeking shelter,” Ivey said in a statement. “My fellow Alabamians, stay vigilant, and stay safe this Easter Sunday.”
The national weather service in Birmingham said the greatest risk for strong Easter Sunday storms ran from northeast Louisiana and southeast Arkansas, across wide swaths of Mississippi and Alabama and into western Georgia.
“This could be a very difficult day weatherwise,” Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves told residents in a live Facebook presentation. “Please be weather aware. Pay attention. I know that these storms that are coming through can be dangerous. We can see significant winds. We can also see significant tornadoes coming through Mississippi today.”
At midday, the weather service in Birmingham said radar showed strong storms moving into Alabama from Mississippi. The best risk for strong, long-track tornadoes will be this afternoon and evening as a warm front lifts north. Supercell storms could form and abundant wind shear will support long-lived, intense convection.
The area is also at risk for flooding, straight-line winds and hail.
The main line of storms is expected to leave the region sometime during the overnight hours and into Monday morning.