CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman County Commission in a special-called meeting Tuesday morning declared a local State of Emergency due to the damage from severe storms and tornadoes Easter Sunday. The National Weather Service (NWS) has verified three separate tornadoes that occurred in Cullman County.
Cullman County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Phyllis Little gave an update to the commission on damage throughout the county, as well as early cost estimates. She said residential damage includes major roof damage from downed trees and flooding.
“At least six chicken houses in the Bremen-Cold Springs area were damaged or destroyed, along with multiple outbuildings all the way across the county from the southwest to the northeast,” said Little.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the NWS assessments are being conducted by individual meteorologists rather than teams to meet social distancing requirements. Detailed information is still being gathered regarding each tornado and damage in the Bremen area.
The NWS in Huntsville Monday evening confirmed a total of three tornadoes in Cullman County: an EF-2 near the Walter community with peak winds of 115 mph, an EF-0 between Cullman and Holly Pond near Welti with peak winds of 80 mph and an EF-1 from Good Hope to Johnson’s Crossing with peak winds of 100 mph.
Little said, “It was recommended by the State that we do a declaration just for this storm system and not try to fall under the state declaration.”
She continued, “We know we have at least 73 roads damaged- that’s washed out culverts and that type of damage- nine bridges that require inspection, and one of those might be a total loss. We know that we have debris that’s going to have to be moved.”
With damage along with materials and labor, Little said she estimates costs to be more than $500,000.
She added, “There may be more damages found later on.”
The water department and the Cullman Electric Cooperative also experienced damages.
Little said, “They’re (Co-op) estimating $750,000 in damages just with their things. They will have about a $300,000 cleanup because of some damaged transformers at Johnson’s Crossing.”
For emergency declarations, the required local threshold is $300,000 and the state threshold is $7.3 million. Little said she thinks the damage in Cullman County, as well as the damages in Marshall County, will put the state over the required threshold.
The Cullman County Road Department worked throughout Sunday night and Monday to clear roads.
County Engineer Bryan Cheatwood reported, “We do have several more sites to shore them up and get them passable. We are going to come back and finish the repairs on them, but we do have most of the sites passable now. There’s going to be several weeks before we can get some of them completely repaired.”
The County asks residents to call before removing debris to rights-of-way for disposal so an assessment can be made.
The Cullman County Water Department also reported damages including washed out water mains and a lightning strike at a pump station. The estimated damage with labor and materials is currently $7,697 but is expected to total over $10,000.
Commissioner Kerry Watson thanked all County personnel, saying, “Every time we have a crisis, we have some good employees who step up and put in some long hours. They make me proud that you work for us so I just want to thank all the employees for what you do.”
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