Strong wind gusts were blamed on downed trees and structure damage throughout the Shoals this morning, officials said.

Local emergency management officials were out conducting damage assessments this morning, but from early reports the damage was minor.

Roof damage was reported at the former Big Bear Audio and McMackins Business Machines on Second Street in Sheffield.

Rogersville police said the steeple was blown off of First Presbyterian Cumberland Church.

Colbert and Lauderdale counties were under a tornado warning from 3-3:30 a.m., but there were no reported sighting of tornadoes.

Several power outages throughout the state were blamed on the strong line of storms that moved through the state early this morning, according to the Associated Press.

State officials said several schools delayed opening as a precaution. Lawrence County schools were not opening until 10 a.m. today. The University of Alabama also opened late.

The strong storm system that moved through the state left thousands of people without power.

Alabama Power Co. said about 7,000 homes and businesses were in the dark early Tuesday, mostly in the western part of the state.

Officials say numerous trees are down near Fayette and in heavily wooded Winston County, but no injuries are reported.

Forecasters say winds up to 60 mph were possible in south Alabama as a cold front collides with warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico.

Forecasters say there’s still a high risk of damaging winds in central Alabama and a chance of tornadoes.