Tornado leaves Alabama communities in ruin

By Barney Riley via SWNS

Communities were left devastated - leaving at least seven dead amid widespread damage - after violent thunderstorms and a large tornado swept through Alabama.

Video, filmed in Selma, shows the scale of the damage with buildings and vehicles destroyed, large trees uprooted and debris was strewn across the area.

Another video gives a tour of the city where buildings have had their roofs caved in as well as shopfronts have been completely blown out.

The National Weather Service has said: "If you need to seek shelter, get helmets, something to protect your head, get to the center-most room, the lowest level.

"Smaller rooms (bathrooms, closets) are better than large rooms.

"Get your pets. Get your safety kit. Mobile homes are not safe, get to a sturdy building."

The National Weather Service also said “winds of at least 60 mph, large, quarter sized hail, and tornadoes remain possible” after the tornado warning remained in effect until 5 P.M.

The footage was filmed on Jan. 12.