Weather
Tornado Emergency Declared for Madison and Huntsville, Alabama Amid Large and Destructive Storm
MADISON, AL — A tornado emergency was declared Tuesday evening for portions of Madison, Huntsville, and surrounding areas as a large, destructive tornado was confirmed on the ground west of Madison, moving east at 35 mph.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued the urgent alert at 6:22 p.m. CDT, calling the situation a “Particularly Dangerous Situation” and urging residents in the storm’s path to seek immediate shelter.
Radar imagery indicated a significant debris ball over one mile wide, confirming the tornado’s intensity and potential for catastrophic damage.
The storm system has already produced multiple rotating cells across northern Alabama, with two major areas of concern — one near Muscle Shoals and another south of Rogersville — both exhibiting strong tornado potential.
The tornado emergency remained in effect until 6:45 p.m. for western Madison County, eastern Limestone County, and the cities of Madison, Huntsville, and Athens. Emergency officials warned of an imminent and serious threat to life and property.
“Take shelter now,” the NWS urged. “Go to the lowest level of your home, away from windows, and put as many walls between you and the outside as possible.”
Multiple emergency management agencies are monitoring the situation, and residents are advised to stay alert to evolving warnings and updates through official weather channels.
DENVER, CO — The National Weather Service (NWS) in Denver has issued a Tornado Warning for southwestern Logan County and north-central Washington County in northeastern Colorado, effective until 5:45 p.m. MDT Friday.
At 5:11 p.m., weather spotters confirmed a tornado on the ground near Merino, approximately 11 miles southwest of Sterling, moving southeast at 20 miles per hour.
The storm system is producing a dangerous and damaging tornado, with the potential for:
- Flying debris posing serious risk to those outdoors or in vehicles
- Structural damage to homes, roofs, windows, and vehicles
- Uprooted trees and downed power lines
- Total destruction of mobile homes
Communities directly in the path of the tornado include:
- Merino
- Prewitt Reservoir
- Atwood
- Logan Corners
- Willard
- Messex
Residents in these areas should seek shelter immediately. The safest option is to move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, away from windows and exterior walls.
Do not attempt to outrun the tornado in a vehicle. If no shelter is available, lie flat in a low-lying area and protect your head.
This is a confirmed tornado, not just radar-indicated. Immediate action is critical to ensuring safety.
Continue monitoring local media, NOAA weather radio, or official NWS alerts for real-time updates.