CNN - Storms sweep across South

Storms sweep across South

Many structures gone with the wind

March 19, 1996
Web posted at: 12:05 p.m EST

(CNN) -- Heavy rains and high winds pounded the Southeast Tuesday after intense electrical storms moved through the region overnight, uprooting trees and power lines and destroying several homes.

Heavy rain was falling in northern Georgia, eastern Tennessee, the Carolinas and portions of Kentucky. A mixture of snow and freezing rain was falling in portions of Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama.

The massive storm developed Monday night as a cold front swept eastward across Texas, whipping up strong north winds that gusted 50 mph in some areas. In New Orleans, winds were clocked at 57 mph.

The storm intensified as it moved east. Authorities reported minor injuries and moderate damage as the storm moved across Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas and northern Florida. Besides heavy rain and high winds, golf ball-size hail pelted some areas.

In Alabama, the violent thunderstorms spawned at least 16 tornadoes. Around Birmingham, Alabama, hundreds of bolts of lightning streaked across the sky in a dazzling electrical display. (154K QuickTime movie)

The National Weather Service reported that twisters touched down in western Alabama and damaged several homes and office buildings. Counties throughout the state reported minor damage, mainly downed trees and power lines.

"We've been extremely lucky. We've had a couple of minor injuries in southwestern Alabama, and the damage doesn't appear to be severe," said Lee Helms, director of Alabama's Emergency Management Agency.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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Storms sweep across South

Many structures gone with the wind

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