No injuries reported in Hale County following Tuesday storm

The National Weather Service has determined Tuesday night’s storm in parts of Hale County was straightline winds, not a tornado.

Hale County Emergency Management Agency Director Russell Weeden said he’s had reports of 30 homes and three businesses damaged Tuesday.

WVUA 23 visited the hardest-hit area off Alabama Highway 69 South Wednesday in Moundville.

Despite the damage, no injuries have been reported, Weeden said. But three people were temporarily trapped in their homes, including 87-year-old Wanda Stamps.

“I could hear glass breaking and metal popping,” Stamps said. “It was terrifying.”

Stamps said she rode out the storm in her mobile home just off Highway 69 South in Moundville.

“Without faith, I wouldn’t be here,” Stamps said. “God was with me, and I know it.”

Just feet away from Stamp’s home, a massive tree fell onto the home where former Hale County Sheriff Larry Johnson and his wife were sheltering.

“The first thing I thought was ‘I am going to have a lot of cleaning up to do,’ ” Johnson said. “We have a lot of good neighbors and people to help.”

Johnson and Stamps said they aren’t sure what their next moves will be, but they are sure of one thing.

“Material things can be replaced,” Johnson said. “We know the good Lord was with us.”