Devastating Tornado Damage in Tuscaloosa

[mittman]

Guys, this is just too much. I made a donation but wish I was there to help.

My sentiments EXACTLY!!! I've donated $, clothes and trying to find somewhere to give blood and still feel like I've done nothing......I have an awful feeling there's not enough help there right NOW! I just pray that's not the case.

For all of you that are feeling this way, a beach is made up of a lot of small grains of sand. That is the way we should look at it. Do what you can and know that it all adds up to a great deal.

RedStar is right about rushing into areas affected. Be careful and work with the local organized relief and early responder organizations. It is easy to hurt trying to help. If you are a contractor, you probably already know, but there are a lot of organizations that can use you right now.

He is also right about Hackleburg. I can't imagine a worse case, but there are hundreds of communities that need lots of help. If you see one community getting a lot of attention find one that is not.

There will be a point in time where the help dries up and the need is still there. Don't let up.

 

[NationalTitles18]

It is true. Just came back from Alberta City. I was delivering water and helping move trees and it truly is devastating. I have seen 15th street and the Forest lake area and it is just terrible.

I have friends whose homes/apartments were destroyed both in Forest Lakes and Alberta. Very Lucky everyone survived.

 

[BamaGoose]

BamaGoose and family made it through the fury of hell unscathed except for a beautiful oak tree that crushed my daughter's swing and play house. I am so thankful my wife made me go to a friend's storm shelter. I spent nearly 3 hours in the storm shelter as three tornado's surrounded the Meridianville area. Luckily no one was killed in Meridianville but I am sad to say people lost their lives 15 minutes from where 15 adults and 5 dogs were huddled in a dark, damp, dreary storm shelter that was going to be a swimming pool back in the last outbreak of tornado's in April 1974. The day after those storms hit the family decided to build the storm shelter instead of a swimming pool.

We are without power but I am extremely grateful that I still have my wife and daughter. For those three hours in the shelter, it was if bombs were being dropped from the sky. The ground rumbled and vibrated constantly. It reminded me of the Gulf War after 9/11 when Baghdad was being demolished. I was and am still freightened of the sound I heard for 3 hours. Time is so precious. After the storm, not knowing the full extinct of happened to my house, city, county and the state I live in I found myself crying thinking this was going to be terrible when I see the news and hear the reports of the damage.

I, like most people, could not comprehend what I heard and how many people were lost and injured. Meridianville will probably be without power this time next week. It feels so awkward and quiet to go to bed at dark. My family and I made a decision to leave North Alabama today to go to the beach for some normalcy for a few days. We are in Perdido Key enjoying the sparkling water and sunny sky's but I still can't get the sound of April 27 out of my mind. If I have ever had problems still with dealing with the suicide of my dad, I will forever be reminded of April 27 because if he was living it would have been his birthday.

Please remember to be patient and live in the moment because as April 27 showed it can be taken from any of us at a moments time.

Take care and love to all of the people and their family's touched by the tragic day of April 27, 2011.


BamaGoose
aka Kris

 

[crimsonaudio]

Got what they deserved.

Those who profit on the tears of the grief stricken have a special place in hell.

I felt the story had a happy ending...

 

[mulletover]

I live in Cullman County. The story here is the same, desperate, it all seems like a bad dream. I can't help but to feel hopeless and confused. My family is displaced now were staying with relatives in Shelby County. Our home suffered roof, electrical, plumbing damage etc and damage to our vehicles. When the tornado was comming we saw it, it looked like it was comming right at us. My wife was crying, my kids were crying and all I could do was gather them up and head to the bath tub. For the first time in my life I didn't know what to do, we don't have a basement or storm shelter and neither does our community, we had nowhere to run and hide. I'm afffraid this has effected my son he won't let me and his mother out of his sight and he's only slept about 9 hours since Wednesday night. I'm very thankful we weren't injured or killed I know many families aren't so lucky. Right now I'm sitting here confused in need of direction. I just don't know where to start, everything is a mess. I am so sorry for the loss of so many, I'm praying for everyone in our state. I'm almost affraid to go back home. I don't ever think I'll forget the feeling of being a helpless, scared parent. God Bless Us All

 

[bamablood6]

Sitting here in Germany totally in shock and devastated at these pictures....all my family in Alabama is safe but I have concern with a lot of friends from my days in Tuscaloosa and in Birmingham.

I wish there was more that I could do other than donate money....as a Soldier I want to be on the ground helping my fellow Alabamians and as a UA alumnus I feel a loss for everyone, especially the children and students.

I lived in several places during my time in T-Town and it appears at least a few of them, especially the one in Alberta City, are completely gone.

I am going to find a few more places to donate more money.....Geez I feel sick about this, even worse that I cant lend a helping hand!

 

[rolltidewin]

Well I just got power over here problem is the tornado blew a tree over the powerline so I have a live wire in my backyard. So now im still running my generator.

 

[CajunCrimson]

I live in Cullman County. The story here is the same, desperate, it all seems like a bad dream. I can't help but to feel hopeless and confused. My family is displaced now were staying with relatives in Shelby County. Our home suffered roof, electrical, plumbing damage etc and damage to our vehicles. When the tornado was comming we saw it, it looked like it was comming right at us. My wife was crying, my kids were crying and all I could do was gather them up and head to the bath tub. For the first time in my life I didn't know what to do, we don't have a basement or storm shelter and neither does our community, we had nowhere to run and hide. I'm afffraid this has effected my son he won't let me and his mother out of his sight and he's only slept about 9 hours since Wednesday night. I'm very thankful we weren't injured or killed I know many families aren't so lucky. Right now I'm sitting here confused in need of direction. I just don't know where to start, everything is a mess. I am so sorry for the loss of so many, I'm praying for everyone in our state. I'm almost affraid to go back home. I don't ever think I'll forget the feeling of being a helpless, scared parent. God Bless Us All

So sorry to hear your story. I'm thankful you are all alive. Is there anything we can do for you from here? If so, please let us know. God Bless you and your family. After living through Andrew, Lily, Katrina and Gustav -- I know what fear is like. But, I can't imagine what trying to face that fear with no warning must feel like. Cajun and family wish you the very best! And hug that boy tight -- and don't let him out of your sight -- and one day, he'll be okay. Right now, he needs to know that he's loved and protected. He'll bounce back, little boys always do.

 

[ccc2259]

If I have ever had problems still with dealing with the suicide of my dad, I will forever be reminded of April 27 because if he was living it would have been his birthday.

My prayers are with you and your family, Kris.

 

[ccc2259]

SIAP. Chris Fowler of ESPN interviews Nick Saban about tornado damage, hurt Bama player, and opportunities to help the community.

Nick Saban Videos - ESPN

Chosse video "Alabama Starts Recovery"

 

[92tide]

Ok guys, lots to report.

I don't know how much help I am, I don't do much. I make maps. But I did sit in a room with some very knowledgeable people who have worked lots of disaster relief in the past.

I heard some pretty awful stories. There are orphans now who were members of extremely loving families just 2 or 3 days ago. There are people who are in the same situation Siran Stacy was in a few years ago. Firefighters came across people of all ages and they'll have those images in their minds the rest of their lives. It's awful.

Here's what I learned. If you want to volunteer, please wait a few more days. Most of these communities are still in search and rescue mode, although they are gearing down from that. Right now, many of us would just be in the way. When they enter recovery mode, THAT's when they'll need help. Local, State & Federal workers can't help clear debris from privately owned land. That's where volunteers come in. It's up to the homeowners to move trees/debris and they need your help.

If you want to donate food/supplies, PLEASE donate to Hackleburg. Encourage your churches/local charities to make special trips to Hackleburg. Lots has been donated to Phil Campbell, but a lot less has been donated to Hackleburg. The Hackleburg situation is special. I don't want to sound like Phil Campbell or any other communities aren't important because they are, and they're in dire straits, but Phil Campbell still has structures standing and they appear to be in VERY capable hands. Hackleburg is in ruins. I don't know how they'll recover. They need lots of love and support. As of 3:00 this afternoon, the National Guard still hadn't made their way to Hackleburg. Communication is so bad in Hackleburg right now that it hasn't been made completely clear to news outlets just how bad it is.

Counseling. If any of you have any experience in counseling and want to help, I'd strongly recommend calling Franklin County EMA or Marion County EMA and offer your help. The firefighters and rescue workers have come across things none of us should ever have to see.

I didn't have a chance to take any pictures, but I'll try again if I'm able to head down early next week.

i think i may be able to get over to haleyville the week of the 9th (im on terminal leave from work through May). hopefully i can help out some

 

[TideMan09]

Here's a video of the Calhoun County Tornado that literally wiped communities off the map & caused water rescue and recovery in the backwaters of the Coosa River.. Toward the end of the video you can see how massive the Tornado was..NOAA said it may be upgraded to an EF5 Tornado once they can survey areas they haven't been able to yet..

 

[fireater]

Here's a video of the Calhoun County Tornado that literally wiped communities off the map & caused water rescue and recovery in the backwaters of the Coosa River.. Toward the end of the video you can see how massive the Tornado was..NOAA said it may be upgraded to an EF5 Tornado once they can survey areas they haven't been able to yet..

This is the tornado that came close to the Big Oak Ranch. A friend of mine's farm is about 3 miles from the Ranch and was destroyed. 1100 volunteers today just in the Ohatchee area.

 

[Airborne Tider]

Tuscaloosa is like a home away from home for me. One of my favorite places on the planet. It pains me immensely to see this. If I wasn't in Germany right now I would be up there to give all the help I could. My prayers are with all that have lost something or someone. God Bless and Roll Tide.

 

[mulletover]

I lived in several places during my time in T-Town and it appears at least a few of them, especially the one in Alberta City, are completely gone.

When I was at UA I lived at 49 Cedar Crest right on the corner of Mcfarland and 15th street behind Krispy Kream. I saw the area on TV and I just couldn't believe it. This tagedy has effected every part of our lives past and present. Everyone continue to pray.

 

[WMack4Bama]

Hey guys, there's a tornado relief sub-forum up top now with information on how you can help. Thanks to our great admins here for creating it.

 

[FutureAlumnusDT]

Is there looting and violence and whatnot going on?

My sister is still in Tuscaloosa and my mom is losing her mind because her friends from work are telling all these crazy stories of looters breaking into peoples' houses, people being mugged and the place being like post-katrina nola.

I don't really believe it because it was not like that at all when I left, and none of my friends who are still down there have said anything like that. However, any info that anyone has about that situation would be appreciated.

 

[crimsonaudio]

Tornado Relief

We're also setting up a relief program where those of us not in Alabama can 'adopt' individuals or families in need after these devastating storms - we need both volunteers to help those in need and volunteers to act as proxies for those in need who have no way to communicate right now or aren't TideFans members.

I know times are tough, but I'd love to see us stand together a make a statement to the world showing how amazing this group of Bama fans really is...

 

[SouthernPatriot]

We were intimately acquainted with Katrina and the aftermath. This looks so much like it did. We are shocked at the devastation. We are praying for Tuscaloosa and all its citizens, businessmen and women, and all those who have loved ones there and in northwest Georgia and throughout the South where this storm brought such great havoc. Our church and several other churches are mobilizing and will be traveling to Tuscaloosa on Monday to help with what ever needs doing. Other groups are going to Birmingham and some smaller towns in northern Alabama and also to northwest Georgia (Ringgold and area around). Our hearts go out to the wonderful people and fans in Tuscaloosa, laying aside all competitiveness. There is plenty to time for that this fall, right now we all need to pull together to help these folks who have lost loved ones, homes, businesses, and all. Our prayers and hearts go out for you!

 

[DiamondDust]

Is there looting and violence and whatnot going on?

My sister is still in Tuscaloosa and my mom is losing her mind because her friends from work are telling all these crazy stories of looters breaking into peoples' houses, people being mugged and the place being like post-katrina nola.

I don't really believe it because it was not like that at all when I left, and none of my friends who are still down there have said anything like that. However, any info that anyone has about that situation would be appreciated.

Some looting did happen, but a lot of it has been blown out of proportion. The curfews in place in the affected areas are designed to keep people out, rather than keep people in.