A violent storm system, causing floods, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes has now killed up to a total of 178 people in the states of Alabama, Mississipi, Georgia, Tennesse and Viriginia. The most catastrophic of the damage has been in Alabama, where the death toll alone there has now reached 128-however they expect it to rise. The fierce storms spawned tornadoes and have wiped out homes and businesses, forced a nuclear power plant to use backup generators and even prompted the evacuation of a National Weather Service office. Two weeks ago at least 47 people died as a storm system tore a wide path from Oklahoma to North Carolina.
Yesterday alone, there were 160 reports of tornados. The town of Tuscaloosa, a city of more than 83,000 and home to the University of Alabama, was essentially flattened by a massive tornado estimated to be a stunning two kilometres wide. The twister made a direct hit on the town late Wednesday afternoon, leaving it looking like a warzone. There also reports of buildings simply disappearing-not destroyed or flattened-just simply being placed elsewhere. They are still to be located.
BBC News - Storms kill scores in Alabama and other south US states
The shear scale of this months outbreak is amazing. Between April 14th - April 16th, there were 289 tornados to have been reported touching down, in 15 states. And on April 26th, there were an additional reported 68 tornado touchdowns.
But it is not over yet. There are currently additional tornado warnings now extending into Virginia, and Florida, and even as far up as the New York border.
NOAA's National Weather Service
As it stands, so far this month, there have been a total recorded number of 654 tornados, though it could be subject to change, as there have been preliminary reports that need conformation, and as yet, there are additional storm systems developing. But as it stands, it could be the nations worst ever tornado outbreak in history-and the tornado season hasn't even finished yet.
YouTube - Violent Multi Vortex Tornado over Cullman County Alabama on April 27th 2011
YouTube - Tornado Video Footage EF-4 HQ - Tuscaloosa, AL - 04/27/2011 - Make Ready U.S.
Edit-193 now confirmed dead
Yesterday alone, there were 160 reports of tornados. The town of Tuscaloosa, a city of more than 83,000 and home to the University of Alabama, was essentially flattened by a massive tornado estimated to be a stunning two kilometres wide. The twister made a direct hit on the town late Wednesday afternoon, leaving it looking like a warzone. There also reports of buildings simply disappearing-not destroyed or flattened-just simply being placed elsewhere. They are still to be located.
BBC News - Storms kill scores in Alabama and other south US states
The shear scale of this months outbreak is amazing. Between April 14th - April 16th, there were 289 tornados to have been reported touching down, in 15 states. And on April 26th, there were an additional reported 68 tornado touchdowns.
But it is not over yet. There are currently additional tornado warnings now extending into Virginia, and Florida, and even as far up as the New York border.
NOAA's National Weather Service
As it stands, so far this month, there have been a total recorded number of 654 tornados, though it could be subject to change, as there have been preliminary reports that need conformation, and as yet, there are additional storm systems developing. But as it stands, it could be the nations worst ever tornado outbreak in history-and the tornado season hasn't even finished yet.
YouTube - Violent Multi Vortex Tornado over Cullman County Alabama on April 27th 2011
YouTube - Tornado Video Footage EF-4 HQ - Tuscaloosa, AL - 04/27/2011 - Make Ready U.S.
Edit-193 now confirmed dead
Last edited:
