FLORENCE, Ala. — Following the March 24-25 storm systems that spawned four confirmed tornadoes across the Tennessee Valley, U-Haul Moving & Storage of the Shoals is offering a place to store valuables and possessions while affected residents clean up. The facility is offering 30 days of free self-storage units and use of the company's "U-Box" storage containers.
“As our neighbors begin the process of cleaning up, we can provide them with a secure place to store their possessions,” said Chuck Newell, U-Haul Company of Northern Alabama President.
U-Boxes are dropped off at a resident's location for the resident to fill, and then picked up later by the company for off-site storage.
Storage units are offered based on availability and to customers renting new units. More information can be obtained by calling the Florence U-Haul store at (256) 764-4601.
Florence and several neighboring communities sustained some of the worst damage during the weekend storms. An EF-2 tornado was confirmed in Lauderdale County. The short-lived tornado touched down at 10:54 p.m. March 24, according to National Weather Service storm reports. It traveled a little more than half a mile before lifting two minutes later. Peak winds were rated at 120 mph.
Other tornadoes were confirmed in Lawrence and Morgan Counties in Alabama and Lincoln County, Tennessee. One fatality was confirmed in association with the Morgan County tornado.
Heavy winds carried through with many of the thunderstorms that swept the area that night. Even in areas without confirmed tornadoes, the high winds were responsible for many damage reports.