300 inmates in temporary housing at Limestone prison after tornado

CAPSHAW, Al.
Three hundred inmates are in temporary housing at Limestone Correctional Facility as the state prison recovers from a direct tornado hit Friday morning.

A training facility at Limestone Correctional Facility

No inmates escaped, and no serious injuries were reported, although inmates and employees were treated for minor injuries caused by flying debris. Windows were blown out in the prison and in cars in the parking lot, and two cell blocks were damaged.
The tornado hit the sprawling facility in east Limestone County around 9:30 a.m. knocking out electrical power. The prison was operating on emergency generators late Friday as damage assessment continued.
The storm knocked down sections of both the inner and outer fences surrounding the prison core. Two cell blocks had roof damage, and damage was also reported to the prison canteen, the K9 kennel and a training facility. One bloodhound was missing.
Additional security, including the state prison riot squad, was sent to the facility, but there were no reports of discipline problems. Some extra security was expected to remain at the prison for the immediate future.
A steady stream of inmate family members approached the gatehouse Friday morning to check on their loved ones. The prison canceled normal Saturday and Sunday visitation.
A prison guard told The Huntsville Times he watched the storm approach from the southwest and called the main office to issue a warning.
Limestone is a maximum security prison housing about 2,300 inmates.