Looters arrested in Fultondale; mayor orders curfew: ‘We’re clamping down’
Updated Jan 28, 2021;
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A curfew will go into effect tonight in Fultondale where three people have already been arrested for looting following Monday’s EF-3 tornado.
Mayor Larry Holcomb on Thursday issued an official proclamation for a state of emergency and launched the curfew to stop looters and curious onlookers who are impeding recovery efforts.
The curfew is not citywide but will be enforced in all areas hit by Monday’s storm. It is nightly from 6 p.m. until 5 a.m. and will remain in effect until Feb. 9.
Clean up and recovery efforts are still underway in Fultondale after Monday night s tornado.
Gov. Kay Ivey visited the city just north of Birmingham to survey the damage and meet victims.
The tornado killed one and injured 30 more.
One of the most heavily damaged structures was Fultondale High School. Officials are not sure if they will be able to allow students back into classrooms by the end of the year.
Ivey said that the damage to the city will be difficult to recover from. Officials are saying the storm was rated an EF-2.
“Y’all, what I’ve seen so far means that we clearly have a lot of work to do to rebuild this community. The damage done to Fultondale High School may very well be too substantial to repair,” she said.
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From The Tribune staff reports
CENTER POINT The National Weather Service in Birmingham upgraded the tornado that hit the Fultondale area to an EF-3. Damage was reported primarily north of Walker Chapel Road NW to U.S. Highway 31 and to New Castle Road. Crews said winds were at least 150 mph on the evening of Monday, Jan. 25, 2021.
“Keep in mind that intensity & width varied along its path,” the NWS posted on Facebook. “The EF-3 damage was focused near Lykes Blvd. to New Castle Rd.”
The tornado had a path length of 9.5 miles and a max width of 500 yards, according to the NWS.