It's pretty hard to be joyful this morning about having lived through yesterday unscathed. So many have been devastatingly scathed. Seeing the images of the destruction on tv this morning, I was horrified and sad.
All my family and friends in the area are fine with no injuries or major property damage. But there is amazing damage all around us.
The outbreak began in the predawn hours yesterday. The first tornado came within a couple of miles of us and went on up the road to do major damage in the little town of Moody, killing one person. But the worst was yet to come. Around midafternoon, the monsters started arriving, spinning out of Mississippi and into west Alabama with a vengeance. The daddy rabbit of them all was a twister over a mile wide that travelled more than 100 miles on the ground through Alabama, from state line to state line. That one came through downtown Birmingham headed northeastward, just barely missing Leeds where I live.
Many parts of one the hardest hit areas, Tuscaloosa, were leveled for blocks and blocks. Other hard-hit towns were Pleasant Grove and Hueytown.
The death count continues to rise. The last one I heard for Alabama was 170 people killed, with the count expected to rise. The governor has declared the state a disaster area, and President Obama will visit us tomorrow.
Please keep Alabama and everyone throughout the south hit by the tornadoes this week in your prayers.
This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.
On 04/28/2011, Mary Kirwin said ...
It's just terrible. I just mailed off a scrap quilt that one of my groups made for Japanese tsunami relief. Now we need to get busy for the people of Alabama. It's so sad especially with so much economic hardship affecting people. Relieved to know that you're okay Susan. My heart goes out to all y'all.
On 04/28/2011, Carol said ...
What a scary, scary day...I'm so thankful that you're OK and my kids in Homewood are fine. So much destruction.
On 04/28/2011, Janet said ...
So glad to hear that you and yours are safe. What a terrible tragedy for those in the path of those monsters!We drove through Tuscaloosa last fall on our way to New Orleans and can't imagine what it looks like today.
We are counting our blessings here too as many have flooding, but not in our neighborhood. Take care, Susan.
On 04/28/2011, Vickie said ...
Thank you for posting. I was so worried. I have been google mapping to see how close it was to you. So glad you are safe.
On 04/28/2011, Ed Chamness said ...
So glad to know you and yours are safe...we went throgugh much the same in this part of Ohio in 1974 and have had lesser tornados a couple of time since then...our prayers are with all who have felt the impact of this story...physical or emotional...
On 04/28/2011, Robin Booth said ...
I had no idea!!! So glad you are safe.
On 04/28/2011, Donna said ...
I am glad you posted! I have been thinking about you! I am glad to hear you and your family are okay!
The storms were south and north of us. We have debris in our yard that came from destroyed houses. It is so tragic to see and hear the stories here in our state.
Hugs,
Donna
On 04/28/2011, Sandy said ...
There's just no way to prepare for something like this. We were spared in upper SC but went to bed last night with the same system barrelling our way. All our thoughts and prayers to those whose lives will probably never be the same. Such a tragedy. So thankful you and yours are okay. This is the only bad thing about Spring in the South.
On 04/28/2011, Cathy B said ...
Thank goodness you're okay. You were in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs.
On 04/28/2011, Pesky Patti said ...
Susan...been worried about you. I looked on the map and saw how close you are to the path of the tornados. Plus you had that scare while you were out walking the other day. Let's hope Mother Nature leaves the country alone for awhile. Thank you for posting as we all have been thinking about you and praying...PP
On 04/28/2011, CarlaHR said ...
So glad that you and your loved ones are unscathed by the tornado - I immediately thought of you when I saw the news report. My thoughts go our for all those affected - it certainly has been a terrible year so far for disasters all over the world.
On 04/28/2011, Kim said ...
Happy to hear you and your family are okay. I lived in Prattville for a year and my heart aches for those who have loss their lives. Such a tragedy.
On 04/28/2011, Barbara Anne said ...
It is good to hear you and your family are okay but I certainly wish that was true for everyone. This is so very sad and horrific as have calamities been too many places in the world.
DS2 who is in NE Georgia called today to let us know they were okay. The twister that was headed for them went south of their area instead.
So far, the worst of the storms have stayed west and north of us. It's windy here, but that's nothing to complain about.
Big hugs!
On 04/28/2011, Karen said ...
Funny how people we never meet in person become our "internet friends" and we worry about them when we see things like the tornado on TV. I'm happy you are OK. I was concerned, even if I'm only a blog reader.
On 04/28/2011, Jan said ...
Susan, thank you for posting. I'm sure it's not at the top of your priority list today, but so many of us were concerned. We don't "know" you, but you have so many blogging friends who thought of you when this story appeared on the news. So glad you and your's are OK. We'll keep thinking the good thoughts for Alabama and its citizens.
On 04/28/2011, Rian said ...
Susan, I am so glad you (and your family and friends) are fine. I was horrified at the pictures of the distruction in Alabama. Incredible.
On 04/28/2011, Mary said ...
Holding Alabama and her people in my heart and prayers. This was such a terrible thing for them to endure.
On 04/28/2011, Brenda Kula said ...
That's just awful and so very sad. I'm sorry for all the suffering going on.
Brenda
On 04/28/2011, Betty Lou said ...
Our prayers go out to you, your family, and all those affected by these terrible storms. Please let your blogger friends know if there is anything we can do to help. Hugs
On 04/28/2011, Melinda said ...
I am so glad to hear you are OK. What happened in Alabama was terrible.
On 04/28/2011, hunnybunny said ...
I am so relieved that you and your family is okay. My heart is breaking for everyone affected, my thoughts are yours. Please let us know if there is anything we can do. Hugs
On 04/28/2011, Ruth said ...
Hi Susan, I'm happy that you and yours are all safe. they must have been terrible storms. My prayers go out to all those poor people who lost familly friends and homes.
Hugs Ruth
On 04/28/2011, Mandy said ...
My goodness Susan,you have been through an ordeal, glad to hear you are OK...First we had the floods than N.Z earthquakes, Japan tsunamis, and now you with this. I am afraid to turn the news on....Prayers and blessings to you and Alabma....
On 04/28/2011, Bonnie said ...
Glad to hear you and yours are ok, but I am so sad to see so much devastation around your state. If you know of a nearby organization collecting or feeding or offering other help, and you feel OK about suggesting a name and address on your site, I'd appreciate getting a recommendation from a local about where to donate.
Prayers from Minnesota.
On 04/28/2011, Marydon said ...
Grateful to know that you are ok, Susan. Prayers have been lifting for those suffering or joining Jesus. These same storms wailed thru here in the wee hours today also ... stay safe.
Have a beautiful weekend.
TTFN ~
Marydon
On 04/28/2011, Debby Messner said ...
So glad that you are okay. My familylives in HUntsville. They are okay as well. What a scary and terrible night.
On 04/28/2011, k&c's mom said ...
Came to see if you were OK; glad you posted to let us know. So very sad about all the damage and loss. Glad you are fine.
On 04/28/2011, Jen in NY said ...
Susan, I'm so glad you're ok. It's hard to believe how much destruction there has been. I cannot even imagine a mile-wide tornado. Scary, scary stuff. I feel so bad for everyone who's been affected by these storms. We had major rain and wind in NY, there was even a suspected tornado not too far from here (although nothing like in the south). Take care...Jen
On 04/28/2011, Deb said ...
Susan ~ so glad to hear that you are safe and that the little yellow house is still standing! Yes, many prayers for those who were affected.
On 04/28/2011, Ann Marie said ...
glad to know your alright, and I feel so bad for all of those that either lost their life or a loved one. Everything else is just materialistic stuff, it is still very sad when you lose everything, but your life is the most important, you can't just go to the corner store and buy another one of those.
On 04/28/2011, Jo said ...
Susan,
I'm so glad you and your family are alright. I've really been worried about you. We had no bad damage here in Oxford, but my son was not as lucky. They lives in Alexandria and a big pine tree fell on their house. I guess they are lucky though compared to some others just down the road in Ohatchee.
Hope you have a good weekend.
On 04/28/2011, Lynn said ...
Glad to know you are alright. The first thing I did this morning was call my mom to check on them. She said their neighborhood had a few trees down, but that was it. The wind blew soot from their chimney into the house and she was cleaning the living room when I called. Sheesh! A little soot in the house is nothing compared to what others are dealing with though.
On 04/28/2011, Gretchen said ...
I am so glad you are OK. I was worried about you, Sophie & Skipper last night. My heart goes out to everyone affected by the terrible storms. Seeing the images is just unbelievable and so heart-breaking.
On 04/28/2011, sylvia weitzel said ...
Susan, thanks for letting us know you are okay. I have been praying. Hope fully this weather will stop soon. God Bless!
Sylvia
On 04/28/2011, Pat McDonald said ...
Internet friends make this world seem even smaller....feel like I know you well..... and I'm so thankful you are alright. My prayers are with you, your family, and the people in and near the tornado area. Terrible for those in it....but still very stressful for those near by. Again, glad to know you are alright! God Bess You, Pat Mc
On 04/28/2011, quiltmom said ...
Susan,
So glad to hear that you are alright but oh my what a horrible storm and all that destruction. It must have been terrifying for everyone. My heart goes out to all those who were affected by the fury of the storm.
Regards,
Anna
On 04/29/2011, AnnieO said ...
Glad you are safe. I saw some of the images online and they are horrific and sad--so much loss of life and home and property. My sister lives in St. Louis about two miles from Lambert Field (airport) and they miraculously were missed by all the tornadoes there last week. Mother Nature is cruel sometimes.
On 04/29/2011, Sandra Neel Hutchins said ...
Dear Susan,
Like so many others, I was very concerned about you when I heard of the Birmingham tornado. I am so very glad that you and all of your family made it through the tornadoes safely. My heart goes out to those who were not so blessed.
We lived in Oklahoma City when the EF5 tornado hit there many years ago. Like you, we were close to the damage, but far enough away that our neighborhood was spared. Sandy Gail
On 04/29/2011, Kai said ...
I'm SO relieved to know Leeds was NOT hit, tho' horrified & saddened by the devastation all over Alabama. I hadn't even turned the tv on until near 6 yesterday & the first thing I thought was, "I HAVE to call Susan!" But I figured IF you were having bad weather, you wouldn't want to be on the phone. So I decided to hold out till today. THEN - around 2 A.M. when I was exercising - it hit me that the storms were WEDNESDAY. What an IDIOT I am. I'm just so grateful you are okay! LOVE YOU!
On 04/29/2011, Mama Pea said ...
I am so relieved you are okay. I was worrying about you all day for the past couple of days. The destruction is pretty amazing, isn't it. My heart goes out to everyone. Let us know if there are things we can do to help!
On 04/29/2011, Lisa said ...
Hi Susan,
I've been so worried about you and all my Alabama friends. I wrote a post yesterday describing what it was like when my family's home was hit by a tornado in 1967 when we lived in Anniston and were inside our home at the time. Also, my family's cemetery is located in the Hueytown area, though not too many of my relatives are living now, or at least the ones I know. It is a most poor and rural area.
Thank you so much for your post letting us know you and your family survived unhurt. Yes, we are praying for all those affected.
Lisa
On 04/29/2011, Sandy said ...
So relieved and glad you're okay. I was wondering, I thought you lived relatively close to B'ham. (our internet has been down, so I couldn't check on you). We've had stong winds and some rain but nothing like Alabama. A tornado brings such devistation and "Mother Nature" can't be stopped. After 4 years there are still some buildings in Americus that have the blue tarps on them. It's hard to recover after a tragedy like a tornado.
It seems strange how blogging "friendships" have evolved. Again, take care and so glad you and your family okay.
On 04/29/2011, two crazy crafters said ...
I am so glad you are okay. My heart goes out to Alabama. You all are in my thoughts and prayers. Twyla
On 05/01/2011, Nicole said ...
I have been thinking of you Susan.
On 05/04/2011, Sally Bramald said ...
I hadn't realised you lived here. It must have been terrifying. So glad you are safe.
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