What was the tornado that hit tuscaloosa

The University of Alabama tolled its bell carillon, Denny Chimes, 53 times to honor each of the people who died in the city starting at p. Tornadoes plowed across the Eastern U. Thousands were injured in hardest-hit Alabama, and thousands of homes, businesses, churches and other structures were destroyed. To help document the outbreak, the National Weather Service created an extensive online archive with details about the more than 60 twisters that hit Alabama.

Similar devastation to homes and businesses was noted along both sides of CR 45 near 1st St E. East of Holt, the tornado path width widened from 0. The tornado crossed Holt Peterson Rd just northwest of Clinker Rd, where two homes were completely destroyed. One home on a foundation was swept clean, with only floor joists remaining attached to the foundation. Almost all trees were blown down or snapped in the vicinity, as well as in the bottom of a narrow ravine nearly feet below the house. Numerous mobile homes and several cinder block homes were destroyed in this area, which resulted in several fatalities.

The tornado struck a marina on Holt Lake at the end of Recreation Area Road where it caused significant damage to a restaurant as well as numerous boats. Several injuries were noted in this area. The tornado continued northeastward and weakened to an EF3 rating with winds of mph. As its path narrowed to 0. Several mobile homes were destroyed, cinder block homes received heavy damage, and significant tree damage was noted in this area.

The tornado moved parallel to Hannah Creek Rd where it caused extensive tree damage and destroyed at least one mobile home. In the Concord area, the tornado became violent once again with total destruction noted to a few small retail shops along County Road Only piles of debris were left on the foundation.

In addition, several cinder block homes were completely destroyed with debris swept away EF Numerous other homes in the area were destroyed with only a few interior walls left standing. The tornado continued northeastward out of the Concord area and into the Pleasant Grove community.

EF-4 damage was prevalent here, with slabs wiped clean, though the debris from each home had not been removed by the winds. The majority of it remained within a couple of yards of the home. It was here in Pleasant Grove where evidence of vehicles being moved by the winds become obvious, though most were only tossed 10 to 15 yards if they were picked up at all. Additionally, wind rowing of debris was evident throughout the Pleasant Grove community which is characteristic of a storm of this magnitude.

Harrison was Most people first heard about both by word of mouth, not so much because the power was out in most of Tuscaloosa, but due to the sheer volume of people helping their neighbors dig out or salvage what they could. Saban, too, contributed on many levels. The coach also encouraged players, current and former, to do what they could as well, although little prompting appeared necessary. For days, John Fulton, Brandon Gibson, Harrison Jones and Barrett Jones — who spent his previous two spring breaks in Haiti helping with earthquake recovery — were in numerous neighborhoods helping out.

Courtney Upshaw held a special autograph session that led to thousands in donations and also brought supplies. Justin Smiley bought an SUV for a family. DeMeco Ryans, who was supposed to be recovering from a torn Achilles, volunteered and made a sizable donation.

Le'Ron McClain organized truckloads of supplies. It took contributions by people like Baumhower, who helped feed people in Alberta City, which turned evolved into a relief hub. It continued through the hit summer, when linebacker Nico Johnson and some of the other football players including defensive back Nick Perry and tackle D.

Fluker got a mind-blowing look at what was left of Holt. Even though three months of non-stop cleanup efforts had transformed the remains of a neighborhood into basically a big stretch of open land, the surrounding devastation and corresponding smells of the twisted and broken wreckage remained overwhelming.

But they were not alone while helping out with the rebuilding of two houses. It was worse than I thought, I so I was very shocked.

Yet with the return of football, the familiar feel of everyday life began to return, and the bright lights from Bryant-Denny Stadium helped fill the voids as the area made the transition from cleanup to rebuilding. Fans had never been more anxious to see their beloved Crimson Tide play again, and even though coaches were concerned about there being too much pressure on the players to try and win a national championship for the ravaged community. They went on and won the next two titles anyway, and were joined by the Crimson Tide gymnastics, women's golf and softball teams.

Men's golf joined in a year later with back-to-back crowns. I told this to the President when he came to visit, the real story about Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is going to be its recovery. This is the second story in a weeklong series about the year anniversary of the Tuscaloosa tornado. The most common form of severe weather in this region is thunderstorms, which could contain high winds, lightning, hail, heavy rain, and even tornadoes. The county is no stranger to experiencing small, spin-up as well as large, long-track tornadoes in its long history.

This tornado was part of the deadliest tornado outbreak Alabama has seen since the Super Outbreak of Speaking of , a tornado of similar caliber struck Ralph, western portions of Tuscaloosa, and Downtown Northport. Tuscaloosa Country Club and Downtown Northport resembled a war zone, according to reports. According to the Tuscaloosa News, almost one hundred homes were destroyed, hundreds of other homes and buildings suffered significant damage, and at least 2, were left homeless.

Across the state, people died, and 1, were left injured, according to the Shelby County Reporter.