County dodges bullet with storm

Published 5:17 pm Friday, February 26, 2016

Butler County EMA Director Shirley Sandy, right, reported no major damage in the county as the result of a powerful line of storms that ripped through the southeast on Tuesday.

Butler County EMA Director Shirley Sandy, right, reported no major damage in the county as the result of a powerful line of storms that ripped through the southeast on Tuesday.

A powerful line of storms ripped through the southeast on Tuesday, spawning tornadoes, ripping roofs from buildings and killing at least three people in Mississippi and Louisiana.

Alabama expected the worst.

As the storms barreled toward the state, Gov. Robert Bentley issued a state of emergency ahead of the storm, anticipating widespread damage from tornadoes, damaging winds, hail, flooding, and flash flooding.

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Butler County also expected a major weather event, however, Emergency Management Agency Director Shirley Sandy said the county dodged a bullet.

“Considering what was predicted for the county, we had a relatively quiet night,” said Sandy.

“The storms split before they hit Butler County, so we were fortunate not to have any significant damage. We had some short power outages, and a tree down reported in Georgiana.  Other than that, it was nice and quiet.”

According to Sandy, the county did experience high winds and received as much as four inches of rain in some portions of the county.

“Neither caused any problems that I have been made aware of,” said Sandy.

Sandy credited the citizens of Butler County for using caution as the storm approached the state.

“For the most part, the citizens of Butler County took this storm seriously,” she said.

“They paid attention to the weather reports, and got off of the roads prior to the initial time frame that was given for the county.

“I would have to say that everyone took this storm seriously, and they did a great job of preparing.”