Crimson Red Sports

Not sure where to put this, so feel free to move...

Best I can tell from putting together news reports, Twitter posts, FB posts, texts with friends & family, and conversations with friends and families, is this:

Tornado cut a wide swath from Kauloosa/359 northeast to the intersection of 15th Street and McFarland (and beyond).  Everything around that intersection is basically gone.  6th Avenue East from 15th Street to University totally blocked.  Krispy Kreme, Full Moon, Milo's, Shell gas station, CVS, everything at that intersection is just gone.  Hobby Lobby shopping center all kinds of messed up.  McDonald's right there messed up.  One reporter said everything on 15th Street from McFarland to Wendy's was either gone or basically destroyed.

The projects on 10th Avenue were flattened.  New apartments across 10th Avenue sustained major damage.  Harbrooke Downs on Hargrove close to 10th Avenue had extensive damage.  Glendale Gardens (neighborhood off of Hargrove next to Harbrooke) suffered major damage.

No telling how many trees down in Tuscaloosa.  The area around 15th Street and McFarland literally looks like a bomb went off.  Alberta City was basically flattened.

I'm at a complete loss for words.  I thank God that my family and, miraculously, all of my friends in Tuscaloosa are OK and that I was able to communicate with most of them.  The cleanup is going to be extensive and is going to take quite some time.  The University apparently escaped mostly unscathed; had this monster gone a mere 1/2 mile to the north on its track, the University would be in shambles.

Unfortunately, when the sun is up and rescuers can see, there will be more tragedies to report. Especially the rural areas which were hit hard and Tuscaloosa, and Bham.

glad your family is fine , we had a little scare today with a family member that is at the university
but she was fine .
still have one in Cullman we can't get in touch with but we have sent someone to check on her .

sorry for those that lost everything including family members , Prayers go out to all .

it was a sad day in Alabama  ... hope this weather clams down now .

I would imagine that the aerial surveys will reveal a truly amazing amount of damage.

Thanks for the report Legal. My heart is in my throat right now....my thoughts and prayers go out to everyone that was affected by this tragic event, in Tuscaloosa, and across Alabama...and the south...

 :pray:

Thanks, Legal.

I posted some pics and video of the tornado in the Daily Thread (bottom of the linked thread)  LINK (http://www.crimsonredsports.com/index.php?topic=143.4530)

There are also reports of the areas damaged in that link.  Had we know it was going to be so bad, we could have started a separate thread.  Maybe we'll merge ( :o) it all into one once complete.

Thanks Legal. The WC reported that the death toll is 170+. This is just unbelievable.

Gov. Bentley reported on CNN that Alabama students (1 or more?) were among the dead in Tuscaloosa.

At 5 am the news was reporting 61 dead, now at 10:30 am it's up to 131. I fear it will get higher still. Sad day for our great and beautiful state.

Well I just hope all these lives that was took, were ready. This is such a surprise, that is can happen at anytime. Our prayers are to the family and of lost loved ones and to the injured ones. Devastation is a hard thing but it can be built back, but those tender lives, we have to be prepared. RTR!

Six reported dead in NW Calhoun county. I, think that will be Wellington, Roy Webb road area, and other areas there.

I got friends who live in those areas. RTR!

33/40 just reported 158 dead statewide. It keeps geting worse.

I know everyone probably doesn't find it necessary to worry about those gone on but they stand to make a point to the living that our lives are quick. It is time to take the hand of the one that wants to give all things. RTR! God Bless!

Channel 6 in Bham just reported 162 confirmed dead. I think I heard someone say President Obama will come to the area in next few days.

He probably will come here. All the Presidents before him always visited the devastated areas. RTR!

obama will be in Alabama Friday

Tell him to bring his chainsaw.

one problem ... my guess is , he won't know how to use it   :P

on a brighter note ... some well wishes from Joe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D8QEhHNqbA

I'd be impressed if he just wore some "man' bluejeans instead of those mom jeans. I doubt he's ever gotten his hands dirty.

Cecil Hurt on PF right now.

Yeah, Finebaum said 184 is the death count, now. Classes for the semester have been ended and no finals due to the tragedy.

obama is on tv doing a PC ... says he is sending help

they sort of make it sound like we are behind the times down here in a way
saying with all the safe guards in place to warn people the death toll is still way high
I'm sure that is not what they mean but it sounds like it
probably just me taking it wrong ... sorry I brought it up

I took that to mean that the tornados were just so strong, that even with all the safety measures in place, it still killed so many. It's more a testament to the strength of nature and just how deadly the storms were.

One of the statements I saw was that you can't prepare for an F5.  I think that is accurate.  Crouching in the hallway and covering your head doesn't help when the house is basically ripped from the foundation.

Will the folks in Tusc get a hotel room in Vegas with a FEMA debit card, like NOLA got for a near miss? I'll bet no.

I've heard it several times and I guess I started to look at it wrong ...
you're right MD , it's just been a bad 24+ hours since yesterday and
we still have one family member not accounted for yet ...
kind of in a bad mood right now , sorry .

maybe I should turn off the weather channel for awhile too  :-\

CNS presser on PF right now.

CNS said Carson Tinker picked up and thrown 50 yds. Concussion.

Yes I haerd all this and I had to leave the TV for a while. RTR!

The Sergeant that works for me has a son who is in Children's Hospital in B'ham. He sent me the following text:

"The child beside Aaron is 'Disaster PT # 0314.' I saw 9 kids ( 4 on ventilators) in PICU with disaster signs over their beds and I can't even see the whole unit form where Aaron's at."

(PICU: Pediatric Intensive Care Unit)

I have a directional driller on a well in Scranton, PA. The well is finishing up tonight or tomorrow. He lives in Pensacola. Rather than flying him home we are thinking about renting him a Ryder/Uhaul truck to drive to Tuscaloosa. The idea being that there are shortages in Tuscaloosa that can be bought easily, on his way to Tuscaloosa. Tarps, plywood, gas cans, plastic storage containers, etc. Any ideas on what is needed and how to coordinate this on the ground in Tusc. would be appreciated. Just brainstorming.

That is an AWESOME idea!!! And I think those supplies are a great place to start!!!

So DD. This is your area of expertise. If he rolls into Tuscaloosa with supplies, where does he go, who do we call, so that some guy passing through town doesn't end up with a free tarp. I mean, you can't just pull into town and open the back of the truck.

WV , I was looking at his web site earlier , it might help you not sure ... http://legislativebarbie.blogspot.com/2011/04/tuscaloosa-tornado-relief-efforts.html

I hear Mississippi State is bringing over some generators to Tuscaloosa   

Not sure this is my answer but is a great place to start. Good catch, X! RTR

found this list of stuff needed ideas

 water
 soap
 Bandaids
 washcloths
toothbrushes
 hand towels
 Ziplock gallon size bags
 Toiletries
    Non-perishable food items
    Shirts (adult sizes)
    Socks
    Diapers
        Blankets
    Clothing - all sizes, tshirts, jeans, Shorts
    Children's clothing
    Feminine products
    Diapers
    Baby food
    Insulin...other immediately necessary meds
    Toys for smaller kids
    Socks
    Jackets
    Bottled water
    Chips
    Juice (individual)
    Packaged food for distribution
    Fruit cups
    Paper towels
    Kleenex
    Toilet paper

you thinking  like me Ricky ?  God I hope not   :what:

It's so heartwarming to see all of you responding toward the needs of the storm victims in Tuscaloosa. I was in some of the area today and my heart just sank as I looked at the devastation. We were very lucky it wasn't our home as we could see part of the tornado as it struck yesterday.

If there is one thing all of the people in Tuscaloosa can use right now is your prayers, this is a big sore that will take a long time to heal.

Jamos, Glad you and your family are safe. My prayers will include the people of Tuscaloosa and vicinity.  Do you need anything?

Diesel and gasoline.

I went to Tuscaloosa this morning to see if I could help.  They took my info and said they would be calling people.  There were several thousand people there and they were turning away the unskilled females by the time I got there.  I was 5 minutes late, so they must have started before noon.  Cars were parked in the median from the church all the way down skyland to mcfarland.  Dont know how far they went the other way.  I would wait til tomorrow and call to see what they still need.  They did not appear to have a shortage of water.

If you google spontaneous volunteer or something like that you can get the #, I'll post it if I find it, I called earlier, but alas...

Thanks Lee. We are ok, just down in the dumps a little.

I've sat glued to the Weather Channel and FB today. Most of my family in T-Town we've heard from. One Uncle/Aunt live in the Forest Lake area and lost part of their roof. The pictures just break my heart. :(
God bless everyone affected by this horrible storm. If there is anything I can do - please let me know.

LOL. Throw in a bag of fertilizer or two and my buddy with the rental truck will end up in Gitmo!-- Actually we thought that if we bought gas jugs to send, we might as well send 'em full.

LoL.  Didnt think about that.  I am sure they could use tarps and plywood too.  The lady I talked to this morning (who told me that they needed everyone and to come on) was really nice.  I will find that #.

Cool. XBAMA found a supply drop off on University but that looked like Bed, Bath, and Beyond stuff and we are more Lowes/Home Depot guys. I told my guy I had a buddy in Tusc (you), that could figure out the best way to play Santa and get stuff distributed. I was hoping to run this past you before this went much farther.

St. Mathias Episcopal Church - (205) 553-7282

I will ask them when they call me unless you want to call and ask them first.  That church is coordinating the volunteer effort, they will answer when you call and have info, if not tonight, in the AM.  

Good. That's what I need. Any other suggestions-- fire away!

This is the way I left it with the guy in Scranton: Our firm in Houston has ok'd paying for the rental and gas. He'll hit a Home Depot or two on the way and will call me when he is in the checkout so they can run my debit for the supplies.

But we have to wait until the well is TDed in PA. So that would put him in Tusc by Sat. afternoon or evening. I hate to worry about this considering the situation,  but I'd kinda like to get receipts (from a church would be great) for receipt of the goods. I'll make calls tomorrow. We also have a buddy that owns a huge amount of apartment complexes and rental houses in Tuscaloosa. I'm sure he'll have good intel.  I have been waiting to call him, like I do in all disasters, until things settle down and they have had a chance to reach family and take care of their own needs. I imagine, just keeping all the cell phones charged (car chargers?) is a little bit of a challenge in itself.

this is the web site I got the list from WV

http://blog.al.com/bargain-mom/2011/04/alabama_tornadoes_couponers_ba.html

if you scroll to the bottom you'll see it they are also asking for blood too

You can go to the website of the different tv sations and they have volunteer info. smithgeneral, were you with the group of unskilled females?

 ;)

I know the National Guard has sent a large contingency of troops to affected areas. I don't know how food supplies are there, but I can tell you that we were all very appreciative of MRE's when Ivan hit Pensacola. Hot food was hard to come by.

I got to where those MRE 's were my favorite food after Ivan and Katrina
easy to prepare and when your tired from running a chainsaw all day easy rules

I spent as much time with the unskilled females as I could. 

Are they now skilled?  :P

Did you mention your PAINT skilz?

 :-X

You got that right.

 My guy changed his plan and is now flying to P'Cola. He will then take his own trailer to Tusc. So if there are other items you guys may have come up with that are of need in T-Town, chime in. Again, we were looking for Home Depot/Lowe's items rather than Piggly Wiggly/Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

#+ to MD
 #+ to smitty

I just talked to a friend in Alberta City. She is fine but has been w/o power since Weds. She goes out and sits in her truck to charge her cell phone and listen to the radio to get updates. I tried explaining what Alberta looked like. Finally I gave up and told her that I would send pics via my phone to her phone so she could see. When she saw them, she was completely shocked/devastated. HEARING what happened is nowhere near SEEING what happened.
She also said that a man that lives in the devastated area, said that 2 minutes after the tornado passed over, looters were RUNNING into the Auto Zone to steal. I personally think looters should be shot on sight.

Its a sad commentary on humanity that there are those willing to profit off of tragedy.

Just to show you how different cultures are, with all the devastation in Japan, there was not one reported instance of looting there.

I know! and I agree - it is a sad commentary on the character of some of our own. Just ridiculous. :(

Disasters bring out the best in most, the worst in others.

 :o




http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20110429/NEWS/110429615/1007?Title=Maddox-says-tornado-cut-a-6-mile-path-through-city

a interactive google type map of Tuscaloosa damage
click to zoom or drag the image to view other areas

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/04/28/us/20110428-Tornado-in-Alabama-zoomer.html?ref=us

prospective on how close the tornado came to Bryant Denny Stadium http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/04/29/us/before-after-satellite-images-showing-tornado-destruction.html#1-2-385-372

(http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy285/CRTodd14/34ad847f.png)

That was pretty close, but the videos I have seen made it look like the tornado was even closer than that. I guess it was just the size of the storm that threw the perspective off.

Wow, thanks for the link

  I just got "final notification." Leaving DHN at 1400 Sunday, going to B'ham (area). First team was told to be ready to stay 7 days. We ( second team) are relieving them after four. I am hearing some really bad stuff. I am not looking forward to going, however I think that the state and federal tax payers have invested enough money in training and equipment for me, and that the Lord has give me a certain combination of abilities that I am most certainly obligated.

The people of Birmingham are very fortunate to have you and your squad coming to
take care of them and help out . it would make me feel better to know ya'll were on the way .
be safe and if you can we would love to hear from you if possible .

Take care Doc and be careful ...  

Thanx x. I am not sure yet where we will be. I know our guys were in Pleasant Grove today.

Oh man  :o
I have seen pics of P Grove ... got any Valium in your tool kit ?

We finally heard from my neice and her family in Alberta City last night and they lost everything. They all had some injuries but were very blessed they didn't lose their lives.

I'll be there today helping them and others in that area.

Glad to hear they're ok, try and remind them it's just stuff, wont be easy though.

Yes, it was very emotional as we spoke last evening, she didn't have any type of phone service as the tornado got their cell phones as well and she said it was so lonely not being able to communicate with anyone.

I know you are relieved. Glad they are ok.

I have a generator I can loan someone.  Normally I do not borrow or loan, but generators during power outages dont count.

I tried to get my sister in huntsville to let me bring it to her, but she wont.  She's says it's like camping and they're fine... :roll:

I hope and pray all those missing are found safely. RTR!

Hello everyone. Checking in from North Alabama. The power situation is a mess. My home and office power is still down. They think sometime Monday we may get some power. I am at Books-A-Million trying to get caught up on the news.

I hope all my e-friends made it through the storms OK.

Thank God for running water and a gas grill.

Hang tough, pmull.  :pray:

Glad to hear you're safe. Do you need anything? (other than electricity)

Thoughts and prayers to all of them my friend

God Bless pmull. We are praying for you, family and friends up your way always. I hope you keep us informed my friend. RTR!

Glad to hear that you and yours are safe, pmull. I hope the power situation is resolved for y'all soon.

Prayers for you and your family. Times like this sure make us want to hold our loved ones and tell them that we love them

Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and prayers. It has been a long day for us as we were in Alberta City helping my niece and family dig through the rubble looking for anything worth saving. I found it very hard to believe that any of them survived the direct hit of the tornado, their house was leveled and the walls to the basement collapsed as well, they were in the basement. Seeing the pictures and videos of the storm damage isn't anything at all as seeing in with your own eyes, it is so unreal.

I can't say enough for all of the people that were volunteering their services to help in some way, it was very humbling to witness.

 not everyone is putting up with looters  http://www.waff.com/story/14538823/alleged-looter-shot-and-killed-in-huntsville

I wish I could ask the burglar, was it worth it. ???

I watched a storm victim intervewed today. Maybe Tuscaloosa. This guy was sifting through the wreckage of his home. He found the U.S. Flag that was used on his fathers casket, killed in the line of duty. Still in its folded flag shaped box he set it aside to look for more salvageable items. Someone passing by stole the flag.

that is past sad   >:( 

Seriously - shooting looters on sight would be fine with me. WHY would anyone need to steal an American flag? :(   God bless this man and his family.      :(

Not too fast.  A friend of mine almost shot a looter after a tornado here in Mississippi 2 years ago.  Friend lives in a rural area.  The tornado destroyed his neighbor's home and part of his along a dirt, side road off the pavement.  Friend saw a man digging in the neighbor's pile after the storm and called out, "I'll shoot".  It was a volunteer-fireman first responder.  The fireman had driven into the damaged area when he saw the first reports, with the intention of pulling out victims and giving first aid.

Ok - I'll rephrase - :)  Shooting a looter after shouting a warning.
Looters come out like cockroaches as was evident during katrina and also this disaster.  NO ONE has the right to steal just because of a disaster though.  I'm glad your friend shouted first though :)

I know some of you all post at WA - have you heard if their family of posters are safe?  Prayers go out to all affected.

I am so sorry for the man who lost his fathers flag. I don't condone shooting looters but I pray that God will handle this kind of thing quickly. RTR!

people get crazy after these disasters and I believe it might make some folks do things they normally wouldn't do
that doesn't make it ok but I think it's true .

I had a lady attack me at a gas station with a empty gas can after Katrina
the line was so long to get gas that it took me over two hours to get my turn at the pump 
they were only letting us get a few gallons apiece and I was getting the gas for some elderly family members
the gas can lady walks up and throws her can in the bed of my truck and demands me to put gas in it
she caught the eye of the several security personal that were in the lot of the station monitoring the situation .

as they were walking over towards us she is shoving the gas can at me saying "put gas in it now !"
one of the security guys hollers too me "you put gas in that can and you aren't getting any"
things went bad fast , she takes the gas can and starts to come at all of us swinging it wildly at our heads
it was crazy ... they got her and I got my gas and got the heck out of there .
but I really believe she was that desperate and that is what made her act like that 
at least I hope that's what it was ...


 

People, they're overrated.

I could take 'em  or leave 'em. :nah:

Things are looking better in Decatur. We have power at our manufacturing facility today. It is a big relieve to me to get our 70 employees back to work tomorrow. It is also nice to get some internet news. The power is still out at my home and they think it may take a few more days to get it back on.

There is damage all over the state wit Tusacaloosa getting most of the news but North Alabama got hit hard too. A TVA power plant that feeds most of North Alabama got hit. It knocked out the main power line coming out of the plant. Over 600,000 home and business customers are without power. Decatur is in better shape than most. We can get food, gas, etc. Huntsville is in bad shape. Only 3% of Huntsville has power.

I feel lucky to only be witout power. There are a lot of people who have lost love ones, homes and everything they own.

Keep us in your prayers.

Right now I could use two bags of ice.  8)

We are doing good. It could be much worse.

I think SC is on the TVA transmission line.

SC is why I don't have power?  8)

I read in the Alabama EMA report that everything is good to go
they are just waiting on the TVA to get up and running
then everyone should have power ...

the folks I have talked to say ice is high demand and
some have generators but no gas to run them ....

good luck pmull and God Bless

Just heard that 5,700 structures destroyed in Tuscaloosa. Commercial and residential.

The reports we are getting is that TVA will be ready to start phasing power back in on Monday. They have to do it slow and it will take several days. That will help those of us who do not have damage in our area. Some of the areas with damage will be weeks before they get power.

I just talked to a friend that is northbound with supplies
he said they aren't expecting power for 7 to 10 days where
he is headed ...

he also told me ...
Looks like a once in 100 year flood event is about to happen around Memphis and the MS river .

Don't know where your friend is heading, but a friend of mine in Jasper said it might be Wednesday or perhaps later before Ala. Power has everything up and running in Walker County. I just saw some pictures of Cordova, and I was shocked. I used to work as a reporter for the paper in Jasper and Cordova was one of the beats I covered. It was truly upsetting to see places I used to do stories on obliterated.

I brother lives in Dora (Walker Co) and he has been told the power will be on Wednesday at the earliest.

The power just came back on. Cable and internet working too. :D

Oh happy day!!  :dance:

I am glad the power is poppiing back on. APCO is working hard. RTR!

Did they get much damage in that part of the county?

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-srR3RDhnQeo/TbwnQhi-OOI/AAAAAAAALYk/h3Tyn7hdzJA/s1600/Damge+Track+Map.png)

This is an incomplete map, but it's still impressive.

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4d/FEMA_marking.jpg/800px-FEMA_marking.jpg)

In the United States, a FEMA marking system is used on searched structures, as follows:

•   A single diagonal slash indicates that a search in the building is in progress. This is used to indicate searcher locations and to avoid duplication of the search effort.
•   An X inside a square means "Dangerous - Do Not Enter!"
•   An X with writing around it means "Search Completed", with the time (and the date if appropriate) written above the X, the team conducting the search written to the left side of the X, the results of the search (number of victims removed, number of dead, type of search such as primary or secondary) written below the X, and any additional information noted about the structure to the right of the X.

 
That explains how my family in east Tn found debris from Alabama in their yard.

Friend of mine in T-town told me over the weekend that a church bulletin from her church was found somewhere up in Jefferson County. Unreal.

That is a long way to stay on the ground. RTR!