(WTVR) -- A number of school districts in states to our South are closed this morning because of the weather. A winter storm is to blame and it's bringing with it more than just snow. Tornadoes, strong winds and heavy rain have made its way across the Midwest into the Mid-Atlantic.
In Alabama strong storms are to blame for leaving in its wake plenty of damage. WHNT-TV in Huntsville, Alabama, reported wind gusts exceeded 60 miles per hour in some areas. Trees and utility poles were knocked down and the storm leveled some homes.
The storm resulted in not only power outages, but several injuries as well.
As the storm passed, those who decided to ride it out inside their home are now counting their blessings.
"The power went out and you could feel a loud boom," one Alabama resident recalled. "The trailer started shaking. We took off with them down the hallway. You could just see the trailer just going; just moving because of the force of the wind."
In Alabama flooding was a major concern, as the heavy rain continued to fall in already soaked areas. The storm also generated several tornado warnings.
And in Illinois, the state is said to have received as many as eight tornadoes--which also left a trail of destruction.
