Weather

Thunderstorms Bring Marble-Sized Hail and 40 MPH Winds to Hale County

BySaluda Standard Sentinel Team October 10, 2025October 10, 2025

GREENSBORO, Ala. — The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a special weather statement Thursday evening warning Hale County residents of strong thunderstorms capable of producing marble-sized hail and wind gusts up to 40 mph.

Storms Move Across Greensboro

At 6:44 p.m., Doppler radar detected a severe thunderstorm near Greensboro, moving southwest at 15 mph. The NWS alert, which remained active until 7:15 p.m., covered the Greensboro city limits and the Greensboro Municipal Airport area.
Forecasters said gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured outdoor objects, while the hail could cause minor damage to vegetation and roofs.

Officials urged residents to seek shelter indoors immediately if outdoors during the storm. “If you hear thunder, that’s your signal to head inside,” the NWS said in its advisory.

Lightning Safety Reminders

Lightning strikes the United States about 25 million times each year, killing an average of 20 people annually, according to the NWS. Experts emphasized that the risk of lightning injury rises sharply as storms approach and remains high even after the main system has passed.

Safety officials recommend that residents:

Avoid using electrical appliances and corded phones during a storm.
Stay away from windows and plumbing fixtures.
Wait 30 minutes after the last thunderclap before resuming outdoor activities.

If no indoor shelter is available, experts say to avoid open fields, tall isolated trees, or metal objects. While these don’t attract lightning, they conduct electricity and can increase the risk of severe injury.

Driving Safety During Heavy Rain

When heavy downpours hit, the NWS urges drivers to slow down, maintain a safe following distance, and avoid flooded roads. Hydroplaning risk is highest in outer lanes, where water tends to collect.
Motorists should also turn on headlights, avoid sudden braking, and keep extra distance from large trucks whose tire spray can reduce visibility.

The storm threat in Hale County is expected to diminish overnight, with partly cloudy skies and cooler temperatures moving in for the weekend.

The Saluda Standard-Sentinel encourages Alabama residents to share weather updates, photos, and local conditions at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.

Saluda Standard Sentinel Team

The Saluda Standard-Sentinel Team represents the collective voice of our newsroom — covering urgent updates, official notices, and stories compiled by multiple reporters. Rooted in the South and committed to trusted local journalism, our team brings timely, community-first reporting to readers across South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia.