Alabama Tornadoes!

[BamaFan121s]

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.

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by Connie

PTL! I've been so worried about Cindy! I kept hearing "Rome" on the news and was so scared for her!

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

[ErinsWhitney]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

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.

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

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

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.

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.

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by ErinsWhitney

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

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

[ErinsWhitney]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

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.

[roseslevi]

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.

[salazark]

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.

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Originally Posted by salazark

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.

[chattiesmom]

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.

[enchilila]

Originally Posted by megansmomma

I just saw this on Facebook!

YouTube - 4/27/11 - Tuscaloosa Tornado

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!

[megansmomma]

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

[Sugar's Mom]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

Safe and sound. We were at my friend/neighbor's house in her storm shelter. The closest one got to us--which was one of the smaller ones--was about 5 miles away. (Which is close enough!)

My husband's Expedition, which was on the other side of town at his brothers was squashed under a building though. But if that's the worst this family got, I consider us lucky! The big one that stayed on the ground across the whole state hit Tuscaloosa (missed the main university campus) and right outside of downtown Birmingham in some very heavily populated areas.

What can I say? It's bad here. Really bad. Fatality count is already over 50 and it's just starting. The destruction is more than words can describe. Please keep this area in your thoughts. There are going to be some very hard times ahead for so many here.

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

[SophieKatesMom]

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.

[megansmomma]

Originally Posted by enchilila

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 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 I was frightened just watching it from IL.