Thunderstorm Wind in Shelby County, Alabama

A tree fell on power lines on Roy Dr in Helena.

A widespread severe weather outbreak occurred across the middle Mississippi Valley, the Ohio Valley, the Appalachian mountain region, and the Mid-Atlantic region in several waves throughout the day and evening of May 16. As activity began to wane during the overnight hours, a storm cluster developed over Arkansas and moved southeastward across northern Mississippi and into Central Alabama, where it grew upscale into a larger line. The line intensified as it approached the Birmingham metro area, producing widespread tree damage across Jefferson County. Damage associated with the line continued eastward to near the Georgia state line.