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The Alabama Tornadoes: April 2011

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The Broken Heart of Dixie~~

On April 27, 2011, 62 tornadoes took 248 lives, injured more than 2000 people and severely impacted state and local economies in the state of Alabama.

On April 29, 2011, I am sitting on my deck in the back yard of my home near Birmingham, Alabama. I am contemplating my great, good fortune.

About half an hour ago, on TV I watched the President leave Tuscaloosa on Air Force One after having toured that damaged and broken city. He has visited this state a lot in the last year. Remember the Gulf Oil Disaster that hit our state's beaches? Our hearts have been broken a lot.

The image (mine) to the left is of the front page of the Birmingham News on April 28th. It breaks my heart to see the destruction. My heart is healed by seeing a grandmother, like me, hugging her grand-baby, obviously tired, broken, yet----ALIVE!

FYI: the photo on the front page is by News photographer Jeff Roberts.

Click Ways to help disaster victims in the South, in Joplin, MO and OK--or all across the USA.! Takes you to links to the Red Cross , UMCOR and other organizations.
To Stay on top of the North Alabama (Methodist) Conference current disaster response needs and volunteer opportunities go to www.northalabamaumc.org or call 1-855-862-8657.

I have promised to give 100% of my royalties generated by this page to charity for Alabama Tornado Relief. As of August 12, 2011 I have earned $6.04. I am giving it all to UMCOR. Thanks to you!

The Tornado Sirens Are Going Off!

Central Alabama awakens to Mother Nature's Wrath

Alabama Highway 280 near Birmingham the morning of 4/27/2011My husband woke me at 5:30AM with the words: "The sirens are going off and it is headed this way." I groggily got out of bed, got quickly dressed, grabbed my purse and the laptop, and headed to the basement.

The electricity went out. That never happens in our neighborhood. I did not have time to make coffee!

Before I could even get comfortable in the dark, the sun came out. Quickly, the day turned into a muggy, sunshine spring-time teaser day.

Luckily, we have a small generator that we hooked up to the fridge in the kitchen and the smallest TV--the electricity was still off . Only one hour had passed and our day had only just begun.

My daughter a called me at 7:30AM to see if we were OK. She was on her way to work but had to turn around. Her path was blocked. Straight line winds had torn thru a southeastern neighborhood of the city called Cahaba Heights. All the major roads and highways in that section of Birmingham were blocked by huge trees and downed utility lines. State Highway 280 (6 lanes wide in some areas) looked like a war-zone. A church that a good friend attends was practically destroyed by falling trees. This is a very populated area and almost no one had power.

Little did we know that the end of the day would bring much more devastation to neighboring towns and cities.

(Image of Hwy 280 near Birmingham taken by a friend of my daughter on that fateful morning.)

Day of Devastation: a better look at the powerful photo on the front page of the News

This image is what I will remember about that stormy day.

How you can help!

The dramatic front page showing some of the aftermath of the storm. FYI: the photo on the front page is by News photographer Jeff Roberts

The Rest of my "Day of Devastation":

Did not know about Cullman Tornado until that evening!

Our power came back on around noon. The newscasters kept saying that we should be ready for more storms in the afternoon. It was really warm and muggy outside--a sure sign that a storm was brewing.

Around 3PM, the sun began to disappear and the wind started to whip the tree tops. I went around the yard and put up small objects that I felt might blow into windows and such. I closed the patio umbrella and tied up the wind chimes. Took a breather and had a small glass of white wine. (I tend to get really nervous when "weather" happens).

About 5PM, I turned on the news. Note: in Alabama, anytime there is a "tornado warning" issued, every station goes into "news" mode. All shows are put on the back burner and the weather anchors take control with their "Doplar Radar 1 million", Titan or StormAlert radar . When a warning was issued for Tuscaloosa, the station we were watching went to the "skycam" and we saw IT.

That is when I - again - began to gather the important stuff--small digital TV and aerial, purse, radio, candles, flashlights, wallet-- and head to the basement. The tornado was headed to our area. We stayed upstairs as long as we could watching the TV to keep track of the warnings. Then the power went out. My husband fired up the generator and we turned on the TV in the basement. As the reports, images and videos came over the airwaves, I decided to get my corkscrew just in case.

For three hours we were glued to the tube. My daughter who lives in NE Birmingham called and told me that they could see the storm from their front door. My son-in-law said they could feel the walls vibrate in their home. That was the tornado wreaking havoc in Fultondale and Pratt City. They wondered if we were OK.

The wind was still blowing outside our home. We saw another "supercell" heading our way even as we watched the Tuscaloosa "supercell" move into Georgia.

I have learned that almost every tornado storm in AL comes from Mississippi--from the Southwest and moves Northeast across the state. I have learned that if a storm comes toward Bham north of Tuscaloosa, it will continue to the north of Birmingham. If it originates on the south side of T-Town, it just might hit my area of town. You see, the Appalachian Mountains end SW of Birmingham. The range acts like the bow of a ship and cuts into the storm fronts creating a wedge. This is not exact science, but it has proven to be true most of the time.

Finally, about 9PM that night, we could relax. The power was still off, but could keep the fridge plugged in to the generator and head up stairs. Around 10PM the power came on and life could go back to normal.......

Until we woke up the next morning and saw the results of the tornado that cut Alabama to shreds.

The image of the twister is on the front page of The Birmingham News. The photographer: Chris Austin. It shows the tornado that almost leveled downtown Cullman, AL around 2:30 on that afternoon.

My story is not a dramatic one--it is just common. If you want to read about true drama during this day, then visit Twister's Path: A Struggle for Survival.



Creative Commons License
The Broken Heart of Dixie by Mickie_G is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.squidoo.com.

Get or Give Help for Recovery from the April 27, 2011 Tornadoes:

Charlie Sheen is helping--believe it or not!

Several organizations and companies are trying to help the victims of the tornadoes. I will be adding links as I hear about them.
Good luck to you all. You are not forgotten.

In January 2012, another storm system passed through Alabama and the Birmingham metro area. Some of the organizations below are also helping those tornado victims as well.
  • 1Christian Service Mission: Donations. That link will take you to a page where you can purchase items on several "wish lists". All purchases are sent directly to the CSM and will go to help the victims of the April 2011 tornadoes.
    There is also a link that will directly help the victims of the January 2012 tornadoes, as well. Some of those victims were also affected by the 2011 storms. One man has lost 2 homes in one year. Unreal!
  • 2Alagasco is offering rebates for rebuilding your home. Click the "Alagasco" to find out more about this recovery program.
  • 3Telecom Pioneers organization helps:

    Facebook page: Christmas In Dixie for Tornado Survivors
  • 4Torpedos against Tornado is Charlie Sheen's website to help tornado victims.

    If you donate $100, you could get a baseball autographed by the man himself.

Additional Image Links to the Destruction

Photos of the damage to the state of Alabama in April 2011

In no way do you ever want to experience what a tornado can do to your home and neighborhood. Just look at the images in the links below to see what Mother Nature's tornadoes and strong storms can do to destroy your life.
A Closer Look at the Destruction in Tuscaloosa - Interactive Feature - NYTimes.com
Zoom in on images and examine some of the damage from a mile-wide tornado that tore through Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Wednesday.
Storms Leave Destruction in Their Wake - Slide Show - NYTimes.com
The death toll continued to climb Thursday from a barrage of severe weather that ripped through the South, leaving behind a trail of flattened homes and buildings in a region already battered by storms.
Storms Rock the South and Midwest - Photographs - NYTimes.com
Severe weather in parts of the South has killed several people and left thousands more without power from East Texas to Memphis and up through Illinois.
Pratt City, Alabama- Photos from The Birmingham News - al.com
Images taken in Pratt City, AL after the tornado of April 27, 2011
Alabama tornadoes from April 27, 2011 create devastating scene across state | al.com
Photo Essays documenting the destruction of the tornadoes that plowed through Alabama.
Tornado Damage - Tuscaloosa | al.com
Rosedale Courts, 10th and Greensboro Avenues, Tuscaloosa, Ala., after tornadoes struck on April 27, 2011. (Izzy Gould / Tuscaloosa Bureau)
Picasa Web Albums - Tornadoes Damage In Alabama
Photos by Media Tools, Apr 29, 2011
Before and After Images Show Tornado Destruction - Interactive Feature - NYTimes.com
Compare before and after satellite images of tornado damage in Alabama.
Additional Before and After the Tornado Photos from NOAA
Satellite photography shows the extreme damage to the area
Aerial Pictures of A Ravaged State (55 photos)
Gallery: Alabama Tornadoes: Aerial pictures of a ravaged state (55 photos)
Description: ALABAMA TORNADOES aerial pictures of a ravaged state . Photos from Tuscaloosa, Pleasant Grove, Pratt City, Concord and Cullman Alabama. (The Birmingham News/Joe Songer).
Gallery: Tornado Damage in Concord near Birmingham: April 27, 2011 (32 photos)
Description: The Birmingham suburb of Concord is devastated by a tornado April 27, 2011.
Storms Across the South: Tornado Damage in Tuscaloosa & Birmingham, Alabama - Southern Living
A wave of severe storms swept through the South including the Cahaba Heights neighborhood near our headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama. Please donate to the Red Cross to help provide relief.

Videos of the Alabama Tornadoes--Live!

Tuscaloosa Tornado Caught on Tape

Evening of April 27, 2011

I cannot embed this dramatic video of the tornado charging through Tuscaloosa. Click this link, CBS42 Video of the Tuscaloosa Tornado, and you will witness the awesome site of this horrific tornado that hit Tuscaloosa on April 27, 2011. This video is taken from the southeast looking northwest.

Mark Prater states in a state of awe, "It's on the ground, and there's just nothing we can do to stop it."

You can read a well written article in the NY Times about the live videos on the day of this storm at Rare Footage Indeed: Tornadoes, in Real Time. This page has links to some amazing interactive images and a compilation of dramatic videos of the storms on that day. A powerful read!

Chilling Tuscaloosa Tornado Video

This video of the tornado gives me chills. It shows the power of this of this storm that tore across the state of Alabama.

I hope this link is working! I apologize if it is not.
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Tuscaloosa Tornado: The closest you will see it:

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Even more videos of the tornadoes across Alabama

The following link will take you to a compilation video created by The New York Times.
TimesCast | Tornado Videos - Video Library - The New York Times
April 28, 2011 - A selection of videos of the tornadoes and storms that hit the South on Wednesday.

T-Town Tornado 4/15/2011--One week BEFORE the massive storm that made history!

I remember watching this live on the 15th. Can you believe that this happened one week earlier than the massive tornado on 4/27?
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Pratt City/Fultondale, Alabama Tornado Damage

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Northern Birmingham Storm Video:

This is the same tornado that hit Tuscaloosa.
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Maps of the Tornado Damage and Devastation

Maps and Images of the Path of the April 27th twisters thru Alabama

Large Image is from the National Weather Service

Path of the Supercells from the National Weather Service

Additional Maps of the path of the deadly storm across the south on April 27, 2011

Information about the storms across the southeast USA continues to pour in.
Map of the Tornadoes Across the South - Interactive - NYTimes.com
Map of the deadly tornadoes across the Southern United States.
Crisis: Southern US Tornadoes April 2011
Interactive map showing details of the April 27th tornadoes in the USA

What Happens After the Storm:

Predict something, if you will.

What was learned? What will YOU remember about this day? What will history recall about April 27, 2011?

My prediction

I predict that the photo on the front page of the News pictured above will win a Pulitzer Prize!

Reader predictions:

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claudiatuli, at 9am on February 18, 2012 predicts:

I live in Alabama since almost 2 years and I am shocked that most of the houses down here have no basement and no shelter room. To build a shelter room is very expensive, most of us can sit only in the closet or bathroom and hope for the best.

pbrite, at 2pm on May 25, 2011 predicts:

People will be more prepared for tornado recovery. You can't predict exactly where they will land, but you can buy the right stuff to recover faster and save your loved ones. Check out this amazon store that has everything you need for tornado recovery: http://astore.amazon.com/tornadosafe-20

 
 
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The Recovery:

Tornado Recovery Action Council

for the State of Alabama

In September of 2011, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley asked the Tornado Recover Action Council to take on the mission of identifying what went wrong, what went right, and what can be done in the future to save more lives, reduce the economic impact of storm destruction on communities and improve coordination between agencies. To read about what this council made up of private citizens learned, click the following link:

Bama Rising

charitybuzz.org

Bama Rising is a Concert held on June 14, 2011 that raised funds for victims of the 2011 tornadoes that ravaged much of Central Alabama. $350,000 in grant money was raised by the Bama Rising organization.

Items were auctioned on charitybuzz.com.
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Bama Rising Video

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What is happening after the storm of April 27, 20ll?

Over one month after the "April Fury" in Alabama, the community is still feeling the hurt, but they are learning from the experience.

Professors are studying the storm damage to improve our understanding of how buildings hold up to tornadoes and high winds; the interest in storm cellars is booming; American Idols are giving free concerts to raise money for the victims; people are still helping their neighbors.

Read about how my beloved state of Alabama is responding to this natural disaster.
Tornado tough: University of Alabama team seeks ways to improve structures (with video) | al.com
"We want to put things back better than they ever have been," said engineering professor John van de Lindt. "We have a chance to do that and that's certainly what engineering does."
Gallery: Alabama Engineering professors assess tornado damage (9 photos)
Description: University of Alabama professors are part of a research team that's examining tornado debris to find out more about what the winds did to building materials and whether there might be ways to improve building codes to make things safer. The three engineering professors, Dr. John W. Van de Lindt, Dr. Andrew Graettinger (green jacket), and Dr. David Grau (white shirt) are part of the Tuscaloosa Tornado National Science Foundation Damage Assessment Team. They were assessing damage at an apartment complex on 34th Ave. E. in Tuscaloosa. (The Birmingham News/Joe Songer)
Special camp created to help children affected by the April 27 Alabama tornadoes | al.com
Special summer camp offers post-storm comfort
American Idols Ruben Studdard, Taylor Hicks to perform tornado relief concert in Birmingham | al.com
The show is free, but attendees are asked to bring canned goods to replenish food banks serving tornado victims.
Alabama tornadoes: Federal money can help build shelters even for non-victims (with slideshow, video) | al.com
Residents who want a tornado shelter or safe room in their home -- including people unaffected by the April 27 tornadoes -- might get some financial help for such a project from the millions of federal dollars the state expects to receive to help protect against future disasters.
United Steelworkers pitch in to help fellow workers
United Steelworkers union members have collected $155,000 that has been given to the 114 Fairfield Works employees whose property was damaged or destroyed in the April storms and tornadoes.
Mayor's World Remade in an Instant
At a press briefing three days after the storm, he announced "a miracle that has quietly occurred in the city of Tuscaloosa."
Bama Rising | Facebook
Bama Rising - TXT BAMA to 501501 to donate $10. $10 billed to your cell phone bill, msg & data ratres may apply. - General Information: Confirmed Performers: Alabama Rodney Atkins Dierks Bentley Bo Bice Luke Bryan Sheryl Crow Sara Evans Taylor Hicks Little Big Town Montgomery Gentry Martina McBr
Taylor Swift Distributes Tornado Relief Funds to Three Tuscaloosa, AL Schools - Music News - ABC News Radio
Taylor Swift raised $750,000 earlier this year at her tour dress rehearsal for the tornado relief effort in Alabama
Alabama, Auburn to gather for tornado relief fund: Football Team Alumni Face-off!
HOOVER | After a n historic two years and back-to-back national championships, not to mention all the off-the-field drama, one of the fiercest rivalries in sports is channeling it's passion into a good cause.
Alabama's tornado victims say its going to be a 'grateful, thankful' Christmas (slideshow, video) | al.com

Source: blog.al.com via Mickie on Pinterest


Some leaders of the tornado relief effort have noticed an upturn in the spirit of Christmas this year. "There's been a rise in an attitude of helping," said Tracy Hipps, executive director of Christian Service Mission.

Read an inspiring story about someone who has volunteered to help with the recovery:

Well, click here to read about Noah a young, disabled Army veteran who wanted to help when tornadoes devastated the area. You will be amazed at what this young man did.

Tribute Video about April 27th in the state of Alabama:

The Alabama Tornado Damage will make you cry.

Moving video with images of the storms destruction across the state.
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Ways to give to the disaster relief in the South and in Missouri:

Donations $$ or Time

Storm Damage in Concord Alabama Birmingham NewsWant to help the souls in Tuscaloosa? Then click here or here. Here is a link that tells you how to give to tornado or weather disasters across the USA UMCOR (click here)page for the Spring Storms Relief. This donation will help in all the states where the tornadoes hit in the Southeast on April 27th and in Missouri.

The Birmingham News is keeping a running list (click here) of ways you can help, too.

Christy Jordan of "Southern Plate" fame has written a post about her area of Alabama, too. Click here to see more destruction in North Alabama and find ways to help out the victims in that area of the state.

Image is a screen shot from the Birmingham News

Town and Country Ford Pays It Forward

Bessemer, AL had damage from the storm, too.

My son-in-law is in this video. Town and Country Ford in Bessemer, AL gives back to the communities that were damaged on April 27, 2011.

On the Sunday after the storm, Kyle and my grandsons went shopping at Walmart to buy supplies for the victims in Concord, AL (near Bessemer). The dealership takes donations to that area as well as other damaged areas nearby. As of May 10, 2011 you can still drop off donations of water, household supplies, baby items, etc... and they will get it to where it needs to be.
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This could prove to be a life saving product:

If you do not have a generator, then a battery operated TV is indispensable.

FYI: I am giving all the proceeds from this page to the American Red Cross for use in Alabama.
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What is a "Supercell" tornado?

Find out from NOAA

Learn the science behind tornadoes:

My story does not give you any real "science" lesson about tornadoes. Other webwriters here on Squidoo have done a very good job creating articles that you can learn from. Here are a few featured pages on Squidoo:
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"Day of Devastation: A Multimedia look at Alabama's Deadly Tornado Outbreak"

available on iTunes

Click Day of Devastation: A multimedia look at Alabama's deadly tornado outbreak - al.com to purchase this iPad app on iTunes for less than $2.

The app is a collection of personal accounts, survivor videos, satellite images and over 180 photos of the destruction across Alabama. It was produced by The Birmingham News, its sister paper in Huntsville and al.com (the paper's website).

There is no word at this time as to how much (or if any $) will go toward Tornado Relief.
Note to tornado victims pinned on a donated shirt.

We do not know what it feels like...... 

Send your wishes to the victims of this Historic and Horrific Disaster in the South:

If you are a lensmaster who resides in the State of Alabama, please share how this storm has impacted your life. You are welcome to leave a link to any website you have created about this disastrous day in our beloved "Heart of Dixie".

If you would like to donate to the storm victims through the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, you can click right here to give to "Neighbors in Need". If you wish to learn more about this project, click here.

As stated earlier on this page, I am giving any money earned from this lens to the American Red Cross. It is not on the official list of Squidoo Charities, so you will just have to trust that I will do as I promise.

Thank you in advance for your thoughts and prayers for my beloved state and all the victims of Mother Nature's Storms.

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  • Reply
    clickityclack Dec 21, 2011 @ 11:04 am | delete
    Great lens!!! I live in Birmingham and will NEVER forget April 27, 2011. It is common for us to have severe weather in this area, including tornadoes, but I have never lived through a day like April 27th. We knew it would be a bad weather day, but no one could have been prepared for the ultimate devastation that spread across our state throughout the day. The helpless, gut-wrenching feeling I experienced that day in my basement while watching live video of a mile wide tornado literally obliterating parts of Birmingham as it headed DIRECTLY toward me, is one that I pray I never experience again.
  • Reply
    JaguarJulie Nov 13, 2011 @ 7:38 am | delete
    OMG, my dear ... can we gals talk? Is it not the tornado that scares you silly? Well, I am a pretty brave kind of gal, but a tornado ... such powerfully horrific destruction. It kind of leaves me speechless ... kind of ...
  • Reply
    MorningShine Nov 11, 2011 @ 12:34 pm | delete
    A powerful story. Good job.
  • Reply
    ideadesigns May 31, 2011 @ 8:14 pm | delete
    Sorry that it hit so close to home. It's just sad all the devastation. So many storms this year. Everyone still cleaning up and will be for a long time. People really pull together and help out in these times. Praying for God's comfort and peace.
  • Reply
    AngelDey May 24, 2011 @ 8:18 pm | delete
    I lived for 22 years in Alabama and Georgia and don't remember so much devastation. I remember only one year, really, when we suffered a bunch of damage but nothing like what seems to be happening more and more often. I live in the desert now and have had more rain and wet stuff than I've ever seen out here in the last two years. When people scoff at climate change, I get so mad because they clearly aren't paying attention.
  • Reply
    tal191 May 7, 2011 @ 8:37 pm | delete
    so sad!!I'm so sorry for them!
  • Reply
    jamesnodturft May 4, 2011 @ 9:56 am | delete
    My heart breaks for these people.
  • Reply
    JDWheeler May 2, 2011 @ 2:45 pm | delete
    It is unreal. The pictures you see don't do it full justice. Pray for all those touched by this act of nature.
  • Reply
    JoanneOtt Apr 30, 2011 @ 12:43 am | delete
    i am so sorry to hear about this, it's really devastating.
  • Reply
    ChrisDay Apr 29, 2011 @ 11:38 pm | delete
    I was thinking of folk over there and, because I don't watch television or have a newspaper, I had seen no pictures. My thoughts are with those whose lives have been ripped apart by this natural devastation. Nature is a hard master.
  • Reply
    Margo_Arrowsmith Apr 29, 2011 @ 9:50 pm | delete
    Well done lens. Last week in Raleigh, when we had ours, 4 kids were killed in one house.
  • Reply
    vallain Apr 29, 2011 @ 7:58 pm | delete
    My sympathies to those who have lost loved ones and homes or businesses. We experienced a tornado in my hometown (Kansas) when I was in 5th grade. Sadly 13 people lost their lives that day. The power of a twister is awesome.
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Mickie_G

I was born in Alabama; I have lived most of my life in this southern state. I graduated from the University of Alabama; I lived in Tuscaloosa for 6 years.... more »

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Day of Devastation

Day of Devastation

by: The Birmingham News Staff

Amazon Price: $100.59 (as of 02/22/2012)Buy Now

Any money that I earn from sales of this book on this website will be given to the victims of the storm of April 27, 2011.

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