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A couple walks by downed trees and broken power poles to the Exhibition Center on Alabama 70 near Columbiana to vote. (Reporter photos / Keith McCoy)

A couple walks by broken trees and downed power lines to the Exhibition Center on Alabama 70 near Columbiana to vote.

Numerous highways have been impassible due to downed trees and power lines across Shelby County. (Reporter photos / Keith McCoy)

Pelham Park

Road closed near front entrance of OMSP

Road closed near front entrance of OMSP

Road closed near front entrance of OMSP

Archery range damage at OMSP

Alabama 70 near Columbiana

Alabama 70 near Columbiana

Alabama 70 near Columbiana

Alabama 70 near Columbiana

Alabama 70 near Columbiana

Alabama 70 near Columbiana

By SCOTT MIMS / Staff Writer

As Hurricane Zeta pelted Central Alabama with wind and rain early Thursday morning, it left in its wake a path of downed trees and power lines across Shelby County.

According to the National Weather Service Birmingham, as of late morning Thursday, damage was widespread and no particular area in the county could be pinpointed as worse than another, as assessments were still taking place.

“We’ve had numerous reports come in across Shelby County of trees and powerlines down. Several roads have become impassible,” said NWS Meteorologist Gary Goggins. “We have not received any reports of significant structural damage that we have had so far, but that may take a while because it was so widespread.”

Goggins said Shelby County received estimated wind gusts between 45 and 55 miles per hour, the worst of which occurred between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. Thursday. The NWS Birmingham office lost power shortly after 1 a.m., so the wind gust speeds reported are only estimates. The Huntsville NWS office is backing up the Birmingham office, Goggins added.

He said the highest wind gusts reported in the Birmingham coverage area were from Clanton southward, and in east Alabama including Anniston and eastward.

By mid-morning, the fast-moving storm was already well into Virginia. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands across Shelby County and Central Alabama have been left without power, including a large part if not all of the city of Alabaster.

Goggins cautioned people to take caution if they must be driving throughout the day Thursday, and also to observe proper guidelines if using a generator for their home.

“With folks that are out and about cleaning up today, folks just need to be aware to not put their generators inside, and be aware of the power lines that are down, they could be live, so be aware of those,” he said.

The following safety tips are shared by Alabama Power on their website dealing with the aftermath of a storm:

• If your power goes out, turn off appliances to avoid any potential safety hazards when power is restored.
• Stay away from downed lines. Do not drive over lines or under low-hanging lines. Always assume power lines are energized.
• Keep children and pets away from downed lines.
• Stay clear of areas with fallen trees or limbs where downed lines may be hidden.
• Exercise caution near chain link fences. Dangerous lines may touch the metal.
• Avoid stepping in puddles and standing water after a storm as they may be touching hidden, downed power lines and be electrified.
• Do not attempt to remove tree limbs or anything else caught in power lines. Call 1-800-888-2726 or contact a local law enforcement agency if downed lines are spotted.
• Do not attempt to make repairs to equipment. Call 1-800-888-2726 and wait for trained work crews to get there to perform the potentially dangerous work.
• Stay away from areas where repair crews are working. If you’re driving near work crews, obey road signs and proceed cautiously.

Please be patient. Crews work as fast as safety allows. Before neighborhood lines can be repaired, crews must first repair larger lines that bring in power.

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