Pleasant Grove, Alabama: Firefighters searched one splintered pile after another for survivors on Thursday, combing the remains of houses and neighborhoods pulverized by the deadliest tornado outbreak in almost four decades in US that claimed 300 lives across six states — more than two-thirds of them in Alabama. Over 1700 people have gone missing as large cities bore the half-mile-wide scars the twisters left behind.
The toll from Wednesday's storms seems out of a bygone era, before Doppler radar and pinpoint satellite forecasts were around to warn communities of severe weather. Residents were told the tornadoes were coming up to 24 minutes ahead of time, but they were just too wide, too powerful and too locked onto populated areas to avoid a horrifying body count.
"These were the most intense super-cell thunderstorms that I think anybody who was out there forecasting has ever seen," said meteorologist Greg Carbin at the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla.
A tower-mounted news camera in Tuscaloosa captured images of an astonishingly thick, powerful tornado flinging debris as it leveled neighborhoods.
That twister and others Wednesday were several times more severe than a typical tornado, which is hundreds of yards wide, has winds around 100 mph and stays on the ground for a few miles.
President Barack Obama said he would travel to Alabama on Friday to view storm damage and meet Gov. Robert Bentley and affected families. As many as a million homes and businesses there were without power, and Bentley said 2,000 National Guard troops had been activated to help. The governors of Mississippi and Georgia also issued emergency declarations for parts of their states.
Here are snapshots of the devastation left behind by the deadly twisters.
A tower-mounted news camera in Tuscaloosa captured images of an stonishingly thick, powerful tornado flinging debris as it levelled neighbourhoods.
Volunteers use heavy equipment to place sandbags atop a temporary levee to fight back floodwaters Tuesday, April 26, 2011, in Dutchtown, Mo. Powerful storms that swept through the nation's midsection have pushed river levels to dangerous heights and are threatening to flood several towns in Missouri. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Mary Abrams sits in what is left of her home in Rosedale Court on Thursday, April 28, 2011, after a tornado ripped through Tuscaloosa, Ala. on Wednesday. President Barack Obama said he would visit Alabama Friday to view damage and meet with the governor and families devastated by the storms. Obama has already expressed condolences by phone to Gov. Robert Bentley and approved his request for emergency federal assistance. (AP Photo/The Tuscaloosa News, Michelle Lepianka Carter)
A woman holds a baby surrounded by the wreckage left by Wednesday's tornado as others try to salvage anything they can on Thursday, April 28, 2011. President Barack Obama said he would visit Alabama Friday to view damage and meet with the governor and families devastated by the storms. Obama has already expressed condolences by phone to Gov. Robert Bentley and approved his request for emergency federal assistance. (AP Photo/The Tuscaloosa News, Michelle Lepianka Carter)
A large piece of metal thrown on the side of I-359 by Wednesday's tornado is seen on Thursday, April 28, 2011in Tuscaloosa, Ala. President Barack Obama said he would visit Alabama Friday to view damage and meet with the governor and families devastated by the storms. Obama has already expressed condolences by phone to Gov. Robert Bentley and approved his request for emergency federal assistance. (AP Photo/The Tuscaloosa News, Michelle Lepianka Carter)
People sit in the doorway of a destroyed home in the Cedar Crest neighborhood surrounded by debris on Thursday, April 28, 2011, after a tornado ripped through Tuscaloosa, Ala. on Wednesday. President Barack Obama said he would visit Alabama Friday to view damage and meet with the governor and families devastated by the storms. Obama has already expressed condolences by phone to Gov. Robert Bentley and approved his request for emergency federal assistance. (AP Photo/The Tuscaloosa News, Michelle Lepianka Carter)
Tuscaloosa residents pick through the rubble of their home as they begin the cleanup process of tornado damage in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Thursday, April 28, 2011. President Barack Obama said he would visit Alabama Friday to view damage and meet with the governor and families devastated by the storms. Obama has already expressed condolences by phone to Gov. Robert Bentley and approved his request for emergency federal assistance. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley talks to members of the media during a news conference on Thursday, April 28, 2011 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. President Barack Obama said he would visit Alabama Friday to view damage and meet with the governor and families devastated by the storms. Obama has already expressed condolences by phone to Gov. Robert Bentley and approved his request for emergency federal assistance. (AP Photo/The Tuscaloosa News, Michelle Lepianka Carter)
This NOAA satellite image taken Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 01:45 PM EDT shows clouds cover the Great Lakes and Northeast, while a front produces a band of clouds as it extends down the East Coast and into the Gulf of Mexico. A strong low pressure system that is now in the Northeastern US has produced significant storms and rainfall over the Eastern half of the nation. The front continues triggering more storms with damaging winds, hail, and more tornadoes along the East Coast. (AP PHOTO/WEATHER UNDERGROUND)
This aerial photo shows the destruction left a by a deadly tornado of The Wrangler facility in Hakleburg, Ala. on Thursday, April 28, 2011. President Barack Obama said he would visit Alabama Friday to view damage and meet with the governor and families devastated by the storms. Obama has already expressed condolences by phone to Gov. Robert Bentley and approved his request for emergency federal assistance. (AP Photo/The Times Daily, Matt McKean)
This aerial photo shows a section of public housing in the town of Phil Campbell, Ala., on Thursday, April 28, 2011. President Barack Obama said he would visit Alabama Friday to view damage and meet with the governor and families devastated by the storms. Obama has already expressed condolences by phone to Gov. Robert Bentley and approved his request for emergency federal assistance. (AP Photo/The Times Daily, Matt McKean)
Deacon Billy Walker, of Elizabeth Baptist Church, Tamarlon Madison and Kelly Bonner of Friendship Baptist Church, cook food and hand out bottled water for those affected by Wednesday's tornado on Thursday, April 28, 2011 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. President Barack Obama said he would visit Alabama Friday to view damage and meet with the governor and families devastated by the storms. Obama has already expressed condolences by phone to Gov. Robert Bentley and approved his request for emergency federal assistance. (AP Photo/The Tuscaloosa News, Michelle Lepianka Carter)
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, with his wife, Dianne, talks with U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby and Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox before a news conference on Thursday, April 28, 2011 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. President Barack Obama said he would visit Alabama Friday to view damage and meet with the governor and families devastated by the storms. Obama has already expressed condolences by phone to Gov. Robert Bentley and approved his request for emergency federal assistance. (AP Photo/The Tuscaloosa News, Michelle Lepianka Carter)
Tuscaloosa mayor Walt Maddox visits the area severely damaged by Wednesday's tornado on Thursday, April 28, 2011 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. President Barack Obama said he would visit Alabama Friday to view damage and meet with the governor and families devastated by the storms. Obama has already expressed condolences by phone to Gov. Robert Bentley and approved his request for emergency federal assistance. (AP Photo/The Tuscaloosa News, Michelle Lepianka Carter)
Devastation at Rosedale Court Housing community is shown on Thursday, April 28, 2011 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. President Barack Obama said he would visit Alabama Friday to view damage and meet with the governor and families devastated by the storms. Obama has already expressed condolences by phone to Gov. Robert Bentley and approved his request for emergency federal assistance. (AP Photo/The Tuscaloosa News, Michelle Lepianka Carter)
A road into the Rosedale Court housing community covered by debris from Wednesday's tornado is shown on Thursday, April 28, 2011 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. President Barack Obama said he would visit Alabama Friday to view damage and meet with the governor and families devastated by the storms. Obama has already expressed condolences by phone to Gov. Robert Bentley and approved his request for emergency federal assistance. (AP Photo/The Tuscaloosa News, Michelle Lepianka Carter)
Lanie Kieth, left, Cindy Keith, Chris Gaven, Heath Gilmore and Terry McNeill help clean out a room on Highway 514 after severe storms moved through, Thursday, April 28, 2011 in Clark County, Miss., Thursday April 28, 2011. The storms left wide swaths of destruction in Kemper and Clarke counties in east central Mississippi, near the Alabama line (AP Photo/The Meridan Star, Paula Merritt)
Billy Fain and his daughter, Rachel, try to salvage their belongings, after severe storms moved through, Thursday, April 28, 2011 in Clark County, Miss., Thursday April 28, 2011. The storms left wide swaths of destruction in Kemper and Clarke counties in east central Mississippi, near the Alabama line (AP Photo/The Meridan Star, Paula Merritt)
An almost stripped foundation, and brick exterior are all that remain of a Church of God in Phil Campbell, Ala., Thursday, April 28, 2011 after Wednesday's tornado touchdown. The tornado destroyed much of the small community and caused several deaths. The storm also destroyed the pastor's house, which was adjacent to the church. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Blue skies appear following a strong storm, with heavy downpour and nickel sized hail, that pushed through LaPorte, Ind., Tuesday afternoon, April 26, 2011. The storm is seen heading northeast in this photo taken near the intersection of US Route 20 and Indiana Route 2. (AP Photo/The LaPorte Herald-Argus)
An aerial view shows extensive damage to homes and businesses in the path of tornadoes in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, April 28, 2011. Tornadoes and violent storms ripped through seven southern U.S. states, killing at least 259 people in the country's deadliest series of twisters in nearly four decades. REUTERS/Marvin Gentry (UNITED STATES : DISASTER ENVIRONMENT)
An aerial view shows the path of tornadoes that left extensive damage to all things in its path in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, April 28, 2011. Tornadoes and violent storms ripped through seven southern U.S. states, killing at least 259 people in the country's deadliest series of twisters in nearly four decades. REUTERS/Marvin Gentry (UNITED STATES : DISASTER ENVIRONMENT)
An aerial view shows extensive damage to homes and businesses in the path of tornadoes in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, April 28, 2011. Tornadoes and violent storms ripped through seven southern U.S. states, killing at least 259 people in the country's deadliest series of twisters in nearly four decades. REUTERS/Marvin Gentry (UNITED STATES : DISASTER ENVIRONMENT)
The loss of life is the greatest from an outbreak of US tornadoes since April 1974, when 329 people were killed by a storm.
"It looks like a war zone. All I want to do is get out," said one older anxious woman in the town, as she hauled a large suitcase, helped by some male friends, down a road strewn with piles of debris.
A bent Birmingham city sign sits above a neighborhood destroyed in Pratt City,A labama, April 28, 2011. Tornadoes and violent storms ripped through seven Southern states, killing at least 295 people and causing billions of dollars of damage in some of the deadliest twisters in U.S. history. REUTERS/Tami Chappell (UNITED STATES : DISASTER ENVIRONMENT)
Rubble is all that remains at a house destroyed in Pratt City, Alabama, April 28, 2011. Tornadoes and violent storms ripped through seven Southern states, killing at least 295 people and causing billions of dollars of damage in some of the deadliest twisters in U.S. history. REUTERS/Tami Chappell (UNITED STATES : DISASTER ENVIRONMENT)
Birmingham Fire and Rescue firefighters search a house in Pratt City, Alabama, April 28, 2011. Tornadoes and violent storms ripped through seven Southern states, killing at least 295 people and causing billions of dollars of damage in some of the deadliest twisters in U.S. history. REUTERS/Tami Chappell (UNITED STATES : DISASTER ENVIRONMENT)
Rubble and a damaged car is all that remains at a neighborhood destroyed in Pratt City, Alabama, April 28, 2011. Tornadoes and violent storms ripped through seven Southern states, killing at least 295 people and causing billions of dollars of damage in some of the deadliest twisters in U.S. history. REUTERS/Tami Chappell (UNITED STATES)
Lewis Foster helps his neighbor salvage belongings in the aftermath of deadly tornados in Tuscaloosa, Alabama April 28, 2011.Tornadoes and violent storms ripped through seven Southern states, killing at least 295 people and causing billions of dollars of damage in some of the deadliest twisters in U.S. history. REUTERS/Lee Celano (UNITED STATES : DISASTER ENVIRONMENT)
Lisa Wilson (L) helps her daughter, Ashla Sullivan, into the living room of Sullivan's destroyed house in the aftermath of deadly tornados in Tuscaloosa, Alabama April 28, 2011. Tornadoes and violent storms ripped through seven Southern states, killing at least 295 people and causing billions of dollars of damage in some of the deadliest twisters in U.S. history. REUTERS/Lee Celano (UNITED STATES : DISASTER ENVIRONMENT)
Ashla Sullivan looks through her belongings in the living room of her destroyed house in the aftermath of deadly tornados in Tuscaloosa, Alabama April 28, 2011. Tornadoes and violent storms ripped through seven Southern states, killing at least 295 people and causing billions of dollars of damage in some of the deadliest twisters in U.S. history. REUTERS/Lee Celano (UNITED STATES - DISASTER ENVIRONMENT)
Ashla Sullivan throws out debris from her destroyed house as her husband, Adam Sullivan, talks on the phone in the aftermath of deadly tornados in Tuscaloosa, Alabama April 28, 2011. Tornadoes and violent storms ripped through seven Southern states, killing at least 295 people and causing billions of dollars of damage in some of the deadliest twisters in U.S. history. REUTERS/Lee Celano (UNITED STATES : DISASTER ENVIRONMENT)
0 comments:
Post a Comment