At this writing (5:45 PM +/-, Tuscaloosa time), Tuscaloosa proper had a couple of scares, but nothing but wind and rain so far.
Not so in Brookwood, a rural, coal-mining area about 10 miles NE of Tuscaloosa. Some damage there. It’s not a heavily populated area, but if you’re in the path, the fact that you don’t have many neighbors isn’t a huge help.
Also some damage between Moundville and Tuscaloosa.
Both of those came in the first cell.
The second cell looked bad on the radar, but didn’t produce a tornado. At least, not in Tuscaloosa. Went right over Alberta City, which had heavy, nasty damage from 4/27/2011, so I know it had to be scary for them. But to my knowledge, it was just wind and rain this time.
Mrs. Basket Case, the cats, and I have been watching James Spann all afternoon. And yes, he took off his coat a long time ago.
Battening down for the next wave which looks to be in the neighborhood of 6:30 to 7:30 CT.
Update @ 6:50 CT: Looks like the worst is past Tuscaloosa. Still a second line coming, but now looks like an hour or so out. Difference is, it’s now expected to be straight-line wind, rain and maybe severe thunderstorms. But no longer tornadoes, hail, etc.
Really, the biggest threat now is flooding. We’ve already had 2 inches since about 2PM, and more to come. On top of that, the ground is already moist from a wet winter.
