Tornadoes Kill 2 in Alabama, Damage Homes and Businesses in Mississippi

Tornadoes and high winds destroyed a fire station, damaged homes and ripped the roof off an apartment complex in Alabama, as the storm front moved into eastern states Wednesday morning.

Local news reports and the Associated Press noted that at least two people were killed near Montgomery when a tree fell on their mobile home. In Hale County, dozens of mobile homes were damaged. Near Eutaw, in west Alabama, authorities said winds heavily damaged an apartment building roof.

In Mississippi, hail stones shattered windows in Tchula, and a grocery store was hard hit in Caledonia. A church steeple was blown off in Lowndes County.

Altogether, some 29 tornadoes were reported across parts of the South, according to CNN. Some 54,000 people lost power. More severe weather was expected Wednesday along the Mississippi and Alabama coasts.

Flood watches had been issued Tuesday for parts of southeast Mississippi and southwest Alabama, where 3 to 5 inches of rain could lead to flash flooding, the National Weather Service said.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency urged residents to have multiple ways of receiving weather alerts and know in advance where to go to stay safe. The agency also urged people to take pictures of their homes before severe weather strikes. “These photos can be used for insurance purposes and/or possible assistance if your home is damaged in the storm,” the agency said on Twitter.