County Gives Updates On Storm Damage Cleanup Efforts In Ralph

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Tuscaloosa County officials on Wednesday provided updates after a strong line of storms caused extensive tree damage and knocked out power for over 1,000 people in the Ralph area late last week.

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County Engineer Scott Anders said crews were out Friday night as the storm came through and immediately set out to clear debris from roadways, which were mostly opened by 8 a.m. Saturday morning.

Anders said cleanup of the right of ways began Monday and over that time 110 loads of debris were removed by county workers. He then said the goal was to have cleanup efforts completed by Saturday.

"That's a goal not a guarantee," he said, with cleanup efforts focused on places such as Shepherd Park, Ralph Loop and Sipsey Valley Road.

Anders then explained he has been in close contact with Tuscaloosa County EMA Director Nick Lolley regarding power outages in the area, with the total going from 1,500 impacted customers to roughly 70 outages as of Wednesday morning.

"Overall, [the storm] was more severe than we thought it was but the cleanup is going really well," Anders said.

There were no injuries during the storm, but as Probate Judge Rob Robertson pointed out, there was extensive damage to trees and utility poles.

"This one, it whipped up quick and it really took some trees some strange directions and did a lot more than any realized," Robertson said.

Robertson then said more volunteers were expected to come in this weekend to help with cleanup efforts, with the county also being aided by emergency officials from Bibb and Jefferson counties.

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