Two students were taken to the hospital with minor injured after the gymnasium roof collapsed at Dothan Prep. Five students total reported injuries, all minor.
DCS Board Chairman Scott Childers described extensive damage to Dothan Prep, saying it would take time for the school to recover.
Dothan Prep and PASS Academy students will not attend school for the rest of the week
Superintendent Dennis Coe approved a state of emergency for schools affected by the apparent tornado, intended to allow for a faster bid process to make sure repairs can be completed in a timely manner.
Among roofing damage, HVAC systems were damaged; other problems are being assessed, but power is expected to be out in the area of DPA for the next few days.
“I’m so thankful we didn’t have any serious issues or fatalities,” Coe said at last night’s specially-called board meeting. “I’m thankful our folks responded in the way they did.”
A structural engineer will be at DPA today. Roofing crews were on the scene yesterday and will likely be back today.
What seems to be a tornado swept through downtown/south Dothan, causing extensive damage.
Dothan in the area of Dothan Prep could easily be described as organized chaos with multiple roads closed, power lines down and tree limbs down, some of which crashed into homes.
“Our community is resilient, and we will work together to recover from this severe weather event,” said Dothan Mayor Mark Saliba. “We are grateful there have not been any serious injuries reported. We are proud of our first responders and utility crews who are working tirelessly to ensure the safety of our residents.”
REPORTED DAMAGE: Damage is extensive; large trees were uprooted, limbs snapped onto cars and at least one vehicle. Dothan Prep’s gym roof collapsed, and Southeast Health saw some building damage.
OUTAGES: After around 3,000 outages yesterday directly after the storm, Houston County now reports some 37 outages.
In the coming days and weeks, numerous out-of-town contractors will be providing roof repair, tree removal, and other services related to storm damage. The City of Dothan urges you to PLEASE be careful of unlicensed and unbonded contractors. To verify whether a contractor is licensed to conduct business in Dothan, you can call 334-615-3166 to check the status of their licensure.
Permit fees are being waived for work related to storm damage repairs to your property. Residents who suffered damage from the storms MUST apply for permits for repair work to be performed. For permits and questions about permits, residents may call 334-615-4450 or may email permits@dothan.org.
Storm-related debris should be taken to the curbside to be picked up by Dothan’s Environmental Services Division. Crews will work over the coming weeks to pick up all of the storm-related waste. Please exercise patience with our crews as they work through this clean-up period.
If residents have trees that have come down on their property, tree services can cut up the downed trees and place them at the curbside. City of Dothan crews will pick up these trees during the storm clean-up process.
PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM DOWNLED POWER LINES! If you encounter a power line that is down, please contact Dothan Utilities at 334-615-3302 and report the issue.
Dothan Utilities is working to restore power from damages caused by storms that hit on March 31, 2025. Crews are working to restore power to everyone that can be restored. If your residence or business has experienced damage and needs repair, you can contact Dothan
Utilities at 334-615-3302 to have your service disconnected. Once repairs have been made and your electric service has been inspected by the City’s Electrical Inspector, Dothan Utilities can restore power. For permits and inspections, customers can call 334-615-4450. If you have an emergency, please call 911.
GORDON – HOUSTON COUNTY AL: 1:31 PM Houston County 911 dispatched Gordon Police, Gordon Volunteer Fire, Pansey Volunteer Fire Department, Ashford Rescue, and ALEA – Troopers to a motor vehicle accident with injuries. The accident location is at 3941 North County Road 95.
A one vehicle accident, overturned, with ejection.
On arrival of emergency units they found one patient with a broken femur and other injuries. A second passenger, reported to have been a 13-year-old fled into the woods. The emergency units believe the 13-year-old has extensive injuries.
A drone has been deployed. No K-9 track dogs are in service. It has been recommended to request Jackson County Sheriff K-9 which has a beagle K-9 unit which is excellent in tracking. Dothan Police WASP (Wiregrass Aviation Support Unit) has been requested for air surveillance to attempt to locate the injured.
ALEA – Troopers are in charge of the accident investigation. Dothan Police Department DRONE TEAM is on the scene.
UPDATED @ 5:20 PM
Jackson County Sheriff K-9 Beagle track unit is responding to the scene to begin a ground track for the person who fled and possibly injured.
UPDATED @ 8:35 PM
A little before 6:22 PM a 14-year-old was located on Highway 95 near Ed Tolar Road. The scared young 14 year old told authorities after being ejected and he woke up that he was scared and went into the woods. He later heard the WASP (Wiregrass Aviation Support Program) helicopter and the Jackson County Sheriff K-9 Track Beagles and proceeded out of the woods.
Ashford Rescue was called to the scene and checked the patient out. He was transported by Ashford Rescue to a Dothan hospital.
Jackson County Florida Sheriff Donnie Edenfield himself responded to assist the Jackson County Sheriff K-9 Track Team, Jackson County Sheriff Patrol Shift Supervisor Lt. Eddie Ingram was on the scene, several other ranking Jackson County Sheriff Deputies and K-9 Officers, Columbia Police Chief, Gordon Police Chief and Officer were on the scene. ALEA – Trooper Mosley was the primary investigating Trooper and ALEA Post Commander Sgt. Jason McAllister were on the scene.
There were no Houston County Sheriff Deputies on the scene at all. There was one who responded after the wreck was dispatched but left and no Houston County Sheriff Deputy ever returned. All other officers were concerned because reports were the person who left was injured and appeared young. And he was, 14 years of age.
ALEA – Troopers contacted Houston County Sheriff Deputies after the 1:31 PM accident when they learned one patient, a juvenile fled. The apparent driver had an apparent broken femur and reports his leg was wrapped behind him. When Houston County was contacted there was one who fled and requested a drone law enforcement on the scene was advised there was no one available for a drone team. Later Houston County was notified about air support and the Houston County Sheriff Department is reported to have said you have one person and a helicopter was not needed. Then Houston County Sheriff Department was contacted and a K-9 track team was requested and was advised there was not a K-9 track team available.
When ALEA Troopers went through the protocol for a track team and was notified none were available, ALEA – Troopers requested Jackson County Florida Sheriff Department K-9 Track Team of beagles. They were dispatched at once and even Jackson County Sheriff Donnie Edenfield responded.
A successful mission in locating the 14 year old scared young man who was injured. He was transported by Ashford Rescue a Dothan hospital.
THANKS to ALEA Troopers, Gordon Police, Columbia Police, Jackson County Sheriff Department, Gordon Volunteer Fire Department, Pansey Volunteer Fire Department for their devoted work in locating this 14 year old child who was injured in the accident. Thanks to Dothan Police Chief Will Benny for dispatching the drones and WASP.
SHERIFF: 18 years of age, a resident of State of Alabama for 1 day, a U.S. Citizen for 1 year, a registered voter for 1 day in the State of Alabama, a four year term, and no limit to the amount of terms. No education requirements before elected or during the term of office.
So at age, 18 a person could command a 200-person department and be in command of the county jail. Yet, at age 18, the Sheriff could not purchase cigarettes, could not purchase or possess alcohol or if he did could get arrested for minor in possession of alcohol, and can not purchase a firearm.
CORONER: 25 years of age, a resident of State of Alabama for 1 day, a U.S, Citizen for 1 day, a registered voter for 1 day in the State of Alabama, a four year term and no limit of terms. Coroner is required to have 12 hours each year of continuing education at the Coroner’s expense and the county not required to pay for the continuing education.
BARBOUR COUNTY SHERIFF TYRONE SMITH
In his second term as Barbour County Sheriff, Tyrone Smith has proposed legislation to increase the qualifications for candidates wishing to seek the Office of Sheriff in Barbour County. A few highlights of the proposed legislation are: (1) 5 years of law enforcement (2) minimum age 25 (3) an Associate’s degree.
The legislation hit snags last legislative year. Sheriff Smith met with Senator Billy Beasley and Representative Ford. The issues were discussed and some compromises were reached.
The Sheriff is not an employee of the County Commission. There is no requirement for the Sheriff to have permission of the County Commission for legislation he proposes.
This legislation, as Sheriff Smith explains, does not hurt or help him, but he feels the Office of Sheriff has enormous responsibility and he feels there needs to be some standards set.
Sheriff Tyrone Smith expressed to the registered voters his frustration that members of the Barbour County Commission called a special meeting to oppose the legislation. Their opposition is over the 5 years of law enforcement experience. And some commissioners have alleged to have told some untruths about the position of the Barbour County Coroner and the District Attorney for Barbour and Bullock County.
Below you can see Sheriff Tyrone Smith and the special called meeting of the Barbour County Commission.
The Barbour County Commission called a special meeting to oppose legislation proposed by Barbour County Sheriff Tyrone Smith.
DOTHAN: 6:28 PM. Dothan 911 dispatched a structure fire at 805 North Cherry Street. At time of dispatch Dothan 911 reported fire at stove, smoke and flames visible.
6:32 PM. Dothan Fire Engine 1 ( Central ) followed by Truck 1 ( Central ) and Engine 5 ( Eastside ). Dothan Fire Engine 1 reported smoke and flames visible, a working structure fire, they will be interior attack and second engine in to catch a fire hydrant.
6:34 PM. Dothan Fire Engine 1 reported water on fire, fire knock down. Power is cut. Dothan Fire Engine 9 ( Technology Drive ) on the scene.
6:38 PM. Dothan Fire Engine 1 reported fire under control, ventilation under control, no extensions. Dothan Fire Engine 1 reported units can start to be returned to service.
Dothan Fire Battalion Chief 1 has been on the scene.
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IN A UNRELATED ARTICLE … 6:09 PM. Dothan Fire 911 dispatched a structure fire in the 2400 block of Bethlehem Road. Multiple Dothan Fire Engines rolled, Engine 8 ( Highlands ), Engine 3 ( Whatley Drive ) and another engine. On arrival, nothing visible, electrical smell inside. No fire at residence. Dothan Fire Battalion 2 on the scene and Pilcher Ambulance.
THE VIDEO AND FLAMES PICTURES WAS AFTER 911 WAS CALLED AND BEFORE DOTHAN FIRE ENGINE 8 ( HIGHLANDS ) ARRIVED. THIS IS WHAT THE FIRST FIRE ENGINE COMPANY SAW ON ARRIVAL. DOTHAN FIRE DEPARTMENT ENGINE COMPANIES MADE AN AGGRESSIVE INTERIOR ATTACK. BY 7:13 PM DOTHAN FIRE REPORTED STRUCTURE FIRE “UNDER CONTROL.”
DOTHAN: 6:44 PM Dothan 911 dispatched Dothan Fire, Pilcher Ambulance and Dothan Police to a structure fire on Falkirk Drive.
On the arrival of Dothan Fire Engine 8 ( Highlands ) they reported fully involved, making an offensive interior attack. The Engine 8 crew reported for the next incoming engine to grab a fire hydrant.
Dothan Fire Engine 3 ( Whatley Drive ), Engine 10 ( West Main Street ) were next engines in.
Dothan Fire Battalion Chief 2 ( Westside ), Dothan Fire Rehab truck are responding and on the scene.
Dothan Fire is battling the blaze. Wiregrass Electric is responding to the scene.
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