(CNN) -- A tornado emergency was declared in Madison County, Alabama, as a large and dangerous tornado was reported to have caused widespread damage in the city of Meridianville and at a high school, the National Weather Service said. At least two apparent tornadoes struck northeast Alabama Friday, as the powerful storm chucked golf ball-sized hail on area residents, officials said. They were the first reported twisters from a storm system that threatens the already hard-hit Midwest and South. One apparent tornado touched down in Madison Country, an emergency official said.