The National Weather Service has teams in Madison County today, Monday June 26, 2023, investigating the severe and widespread damage that came fast and furious late Sunday night as a result of another frightening weather event.
NWS representatives tell WBON-TV9 the preliminary findings are that intense, straight-line winds, packing strengths of a staggering 110 mph, belted parts of the county. In some areas, the NWS says baseball size hailstones were carried by the wind inflicting major damage in its path. The results were widespread power outages and extensive property damage across the region.
In the aftermath today, there were numerous instances of trees down on roads, vehicles, and power lines. Many roads were still blocked for the morning commute. The hail came down fast and with such intensity, some viewer submitted photos showed the ice piling up to about an inch or more in a matter of minutes, breaking windows, and doing extensive damage to vehicles. Intense lightning strikes in the storm added to the damaging mix.
Many Madison Countians reported concern that their new FM Alert emergency notification radios did not alert them of the impending severe weather, nor did the emergency sirens activate timely. That is also being looked into, as the NWS actually activates those mechanisms.
Many homes and businesses remained without power earlier today. Many local restaurants could not serve lunch as they were still in the dark, including Logan’s, Olive Garden, Golden Corral, and others.
