This is how close we were. This is 2 miles from my house. (This was not the big F5 that's in the video Jodi posted above.)

Tornado in Chelsea | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Now that I'm up and moving this morning, I'm getting news on friends in other parts of the city. A friend in T'town (video above) lost everything--apt, vehicle etc. Some friends in one of the hardest hit areas lost everything and were trapped in the basement with their kids, one of whom has cystic fribrosis. The local hospitals have had to bring in mobile morgue units. The fatality count is 128 this AM they are saying. And that was just overnight. I can imagine it's going to climb considerably during the daylight today.

Oh thank God!! I heard Rome, Georgia on the news also and was so worried about her.

Is that the count just in Tuscaloosa or is that state-wide? The pictures are just heart breaking.

I'm so glad you're ok, Misty! I'm praying for your friend and all the others so affected by this.

The news mentioned how many tornadoes were in this outbreak but I missed it - I think they said 137? One of the worst outbreaks in history.

Immediate B'ham news listening areas. So Tuscaloosa, Pleasant Grove, Birmingham, Cullman, Gadsden.

omg, what a nightmare. That entire area has been in my thoughts and prayers for the last 12 hours and will continue to be. I can't begin to imagine waking up to what they are this morning. :(

Glad fellow Yt's are all safe and sound. What a terrible tragedy for these storms to hit so severely.I have never seen a tornado in real life and hope I never have to. Worse we have gotten here is hurricane Bob in 1991 and that was bad enough. Can't imagine anything like this. Stay safe everyone...sending prayers.

I'm in north Alabama. Over 300,000 homes (including ours) here are without power and they say it may be four to five days. TVA took a direct hit. At one time last night we were under warning for six separate tornados. After the power went out the sirens quit working too. We're ok but the destruction is widespread. One thing I can say is that the thundershirts are amazing. Sadie and Beemer were calm as could be.

Oh my goodness! The news was talking about the devestation this morning. How awful for all of you. Please let us know if there is anything we can do. Sending prayers your way.

Safe in Rome!
 

Thank to everyone for your thoughts and prayers during the stormy Wednesday night. We were spared, our power did go out briefly, but other than that, we are ok.

I am sick at heart for all of those who suffered death and property damage. It has been many years since we have endured such a stormy spring. As the storm grew more violent and the lightening lit up the sky, I thought it prudent to turn off and unplug the 'puter. So for entertainment, Lolli and I sat on the front porch and watched the "lazer show" and listened to distant tornado sirenes.

Schools are closed here today due to power outages.

Please, please, keep all in your prayers who have suffered losses -- also, please add my silly hubby - he left early this am on his motorcycle to go to bike week in Florida.

I have been in the center of a tornado before, but never have I seen anything so up close before in my life and hope to never see it in person. This person was too close for comfort when taking this video, but has exclusive coverage of this one! Scary!

I'm watching the news this morning and the devastation is just unbelievable! Glad to see and hear people checking in this morning.

Misty, I am so glad you and your family are safe. You were on my mind and in my prayers several times yesterday.

Chattiesmom, I am so glad you are okay.

I was watching the news last night from our storm area and I kept thinking of you along with my friends in the Rome area.

You're correct, there have been so many storms this Spring. I am just leaving everything in place for awhile and the bed made up.

Stay safe and my thoughts are with the people in Alabama and Georgia.

I think he was a young kid. When I went to his Youtube page he mentioned something about him mom and showing her the video after the storm.....if he were my son I don't know if I'd hug him or smack him :eek: I was frightened just watching it from IL.

Is anybody near Muscle Shoals? I've been trying to find information, I get a lot for Tuscaloosa but nothing on Muscle Shoals.

I hear it!:eek: I think I would be hugging and smacking at the same time, than take his iPhone away!:p

Nothing major in Muscle Shoals. There are lots of power outages in that area though and lots of cell phone service is out state wide today. So if you're trying to get in touch w/ someone there, you may have trouble. But for the most part, the MS area didn't see much action yesterday--it was just south of there where those came through.

They said on the news this AM to try sending text messages to ppl if you can't get through by calling. They said texts will continue to try to 'send themselves' and will possibly 'go through' if the person gets service for even a brief moment.

And now the footage starts rolling in....here are some really telling pictures of the aftermath from the local news station. (bottom of the linked story)

Tornadoes rip through Alabama, killing at least 145

My sis lives in Gardendale. (1st picture on the link) She said that they were picking up check stubs and papers from her front yard that were from Tuscaloosa--there's about a 75 mile distance between the two.:eek:

They're here! Tornado warnings! Oh no!

Stay safe!

Misty,
I'm glad to hear you are ok, I was thinking about you last night. The pictures and videos are just devastating.

A friend of mine has her Dad and Brother in Catoosa County, GA. They sustained major damage to their homes, but no injuries. Another friend has her Grandmother in Tuscaloosa. Thankfully, she's ok, too. I'm waiting to hear from another friend who lives in Arab.

KJC- stay safe.

The last 3 days have been tragic! 250 tornados in 3 days, 150 tornados just yesterday! The death toll is now up to 200 and expected to go higher yet, as more missing are accounted for. My prayers are with all those affected by these deadly storms!

Alabama was the hardest hit. We are just a stone's throw from the state line here -- many friends up that way. Many of my son's friends are in college in AL -- my son is at college in Jackson, MS. They had their own share of tornados the last 3 days! Seemed like every time I turned on the weather they were mentioning Jackson, MS! I texted him last night and asked, "R U OK?" He wrote back, "I'm fine. Why?" Why???? Because there are tornados all around you, crazy boy! He was studying for finals and that is his only priority right now. Youth!! He did say the tornado sirens have been going off frequently, and they have to hunker down in the inner hallways. That puts 2 concrete block walls between him and the outside. So, I think the dorms are pretty safe. But looking at leveled cities this morning, it makes a momma worry!

My middle son works mostly in AL and had to head back there again today. I worry about him as he travels during the course of his work day. His itinerary is taking him all around the devastated areas. And now the storms are headed to the east coast and I need to worry about my oldest son who lives in VA!! I think I will be very glad to see Spring over with this year! I want to be the proverbial mother hen and just gather my chicks around me, cover them with my protective wings and pray this thing out! But they are grown and on their own, much more capable of protecting themselves than I am. It is still such a difficult feeling to know your kids are in harm's way and you are too far away to help, no matter what their age.

Terrifying images and lives just torn apart and it just rips your heart out to see those poor people standing in front of those piles of lumber and broken limbs. I wish we could get out of this weather pattern NOW! I pray all people in the path of this mess will stay safe and that those so devastated can find a way to go on somehow. I can't imagine what they must be going through right now. Please everyone stay safe.

My prays go out to everyone that was in the path of the storm and those that lost loved ones.

Thanks to you both! I'm fine...it has blown over. Got scary quiet and dark for a while, and now all is bright and blue again. Whew!

Praying your family and friends are all okay! and for all those affected ... just unbelievable the damage done and the lives lost. Looks like an air Tsunami hit! Such tremendous devastation. And so sad.

Misty and Cindy.....it's a relief to know you are both okay, thank God!

Living in tornado alley I've seen tornadoes and lots of tornado video, but have never seen anything comparable to this monster. My thoughts will be with those suffering.

And, to those threatened today.....please heed the warnings and stay safe!

Just got word that my cousin (my mother's 1st cousin) is missing. She lived in one of the hardest areas hit, right in the center of where all the damage reports are coming from in Pleasant Grove, AL. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers that she will be located and in contact with someone soon. :cry:

Oh No....thoughts and prayers going out for your cousin....may she be found safe and sound.

I'm sending lots of prayers for your cousin and her family. Please let us know when you hear something.