Gulf Coast storm damage, updates (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

UPDATE (April 11, 5:05 p.m.): A traffic signal at the intersection of Longleaf and Community Drive in the Pensacola area has been repaired and is now fully operational.

A fallen tree damaged the signal during the April 10 storm.

“Stop signs have been removed from the intersection, and motorists should use caution when traveling through the area and follow the traffic signals,” an Escambia County news release said.

Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson releases statement on Police Chief Paul Prine’s administrative leave

UPDATE (April 11, 4:47 p.m.): Yesterday’s severe weather caused significant damage, including downed trees and flooding. Now, officials are working to clean up the mess.

Amid the damage seen in the entire News 5 viewing area was an apparent tornado that passed through the Georgetown community.

Officials say the tornado touched down in the Georgetown area of Mobile County just east of Lott Road and north of Chunchula Georgetown Road in Mobile County Commission District 2.

According to a press release, the Mobile Public Works Committee will work to clear debris from Mobile County roads after the severe weather event. With approval from the Mobile County Commission, Public Works will pick up tornado debris “such as vegetative debris and construction & demolition (C&D) debris in Mobile County right of way within the affected area.”

The press release states that the Mobile County Public Works Department will only :

• Participate in the removal of tornado debris within the impacted area identified by the National Weather Service

• Pick up tornado debris such as vegetative debris and construction and demolition debris that has been placed in the right-of-way near the tornado’s confirmed path

• Pick up debris resulting from the April 10 weather event only.

Maps of the debris drop-off areas provided in the release are included below.

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MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — News 5 has observed some damage across the Gulf Coast from today’s severe weather event.

Here’s what we’ve learned and observed.

UPDATE (6:03 p.m.): Officials with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency shared that the southbound lanes of Interstate 65 near the 34-mile marker in Baldwin County are currently blocked.

According to a press release, a fallen tree has caused the lane closure.

Troopers with the ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division are monitoring the situation and updates will be provided.

Update (6 p.m.): The Mobile County Emergency Management Agency has returned to Level 4 (Enhanced Watch/ Monitoring the Situation), according to a press release.

In addition, Mobile County EMA has demobilized the Emergency Operations Center with a decreased risk.

EMA duty personnel are continuing to monitor the weather and are available if needed, according to the release.

UPDATE (4:34 p.m.): A viewer submitted this video of an apparent tornado going through the Georgetown community in north Mobile County.

UPDATE (4:17 p.m.): The Alabama Department of Transportation posted on social media platform X that the Causeway is now open.

This comes after the Spanish Fort Police Department announced the closure of the East and West bound lanes of the Causeway at around 1 p.m.

UPDATE (3:53 p.m.): The Pensacola Police Department posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the following roads are closed due to flooding.

• 17th Avenue at the trestle

• A and Garden

• N and Garden

• L and Garden

• Scenic and Creighton

The department shared that these intersections will reopen as the rain subsides.

Officials are urging drivers to not drive into standing water.

UPDATE (3:42 p.m.): WKRG News 5 learned that a traffic signal has been blown down at Longleaf Drive and Community Drive in Escambia, Florida.

LOCATION:

UPDATE (3:38 p.m.):

Mobile Police Chief Paul Prine has been placed on administrative leave

WKRG News 5’s Haylee Kennedy captured video of roof damage on a house in Chunchula, Alabama.

UPDATE (3:10 p.m.):

We have some wind damage reports out of Bellview in Escambia County, Florida, where trees are down. We’re also seeing a residential structure with damage near Pine Forest High School.

UPDATE (3 p.m.):

News 5’s Alexa Daly shares this video of rain at the intersection of Spring and Garden Streets in downtown Pensacola.

Community Drive, near Longleaf Elementary and Pine Forest High School, is closed due to debris and downed power lines. If you must be on the roads, seek alternate routes.

UPDATE (2:30 p.m.):

Mobile County has issued a new storm safety advisory:

Due to winds and rain, residents are urged to use caution on Mobile County roadways and avoid travel if possible during this weather event.

Mobile County Department of Public Works is responding to scattered reports of downed limbs and trees in roadways in the southwest portion of the county (Commission District 3).

To report hazards or obstructions on a Mobile County roadway, residents should call Mobile County Public Works after-hours number: 251-610-2243.

Exercise caution if driving is unavoidable.

• If Mobile County Public Works crews are working in an area, please drive slowly and safely in the work zone.

• Be aware of all forms of road hazards that could impede travel, such as trees, limbs, or other obstructions in the roadway.

• Be attentive and avoid all forms of road hazards that are possible from this weather event, including water over roadways. Remember, “Turn around, don’t drown.”

UPDATE (2:22 p.m.)

This tree fell on a truck at Arbor Gates Apartments on Greeno Road in Fairhope.

UPDATE (2:08 p.m.)

Wulff Road, between Roberts Lane and Snow Road, is closed due to water over the road, News 5 has learned.

“Also, Jeremy Drive at Gregory Court is closed due to water over the road,” Semmes Police Department said in a Facebook post. “Barricades are set up to alert drivers. Please use an alternate route.”

UPDATE (1:50 p.m.): A tree has fallen at Halls Mill Road and Rochelle Street, according to the City of Mobile.

UPDATE (1:30 p.m.):

• County Road 48 in Silverhill, between Rada Road and County Road 55, is shut down due to a fallen tree.

• These cars got caught in stormwater near the Interstate 10-Highway 98 interchange.

UPDATE (1 p.m.): Several roadways in Semmes are underwater,” the City of Semmes said in a Facebook post. “Please use caution or take alternative routes. Illinois/ Church, Wulff Rd, Azalea Park Ct.”

UPDATE (12:55 p.m.): We’re hearing the Causeway is closed due to severe weather, according to the Spanish Fort Police Department.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.