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Following the April 15th tornado was the April 27th Tuscaloosa F4 tornado. Bold text


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Weather Report.gov National Weather Service meteorologists have surveyed the massive damage associated with this long track violent tornado, by ground and air. The start point is based on aerial survey, while a ground crew determined the end location. Detailed damage inspection has revealed a maximum of EF-4. This tornado was produced by a super cell thunderstorm that began in Newton County Mississippi at 2:54 pm CDT, and finally dissipated in Macon County, North Carolina at approximately 10:18 pm CDT. So, this super cell existed for about 7 hours and 24 minutes, and traveled approximately 380 miles producing several strong to violent tornadoes along the way. The tornado entered Tuscaloosa County just north of CR 60, west-northwest of Ralph, and moved northeast causing tree damage and minor structural damage consistent with an EF2 rating and winds of 125 mph. The tornado strengthened as it crossed the Black Warrior River, north of Interstate 20 and approached Tuscaloosa to a violent EF4 with winds of 170 mph. As the tornado approached Interstate 359, several buildings were destroyed including the Tuscaloosa County Emergency Operations Center. Along 15th St E. and McFarland Blvd E., several small restaurants and stores were destroyed, with only a wall or two still standing. The tornado devastated the Cedar Crest neighborhood just north of 15th St, leveling many cinder block homes and causing at least 3 fatalities. The tornado crossed McFarland Blvd, where destroyed additional stores and restaurants. The tornado crossed University Blvd in the Alberta City community. Alberta Elementary School suffered nearly complete destruction left only with a few portions of walls still standing.

ABC News The numbers of known dead in Alabama rose rapidly this evening. At least 58 were killed in the state Wednesday, The Associated Press reported after 11 p.m. ET. Tuscaloosa Mayor Walter Maddox reported 15 dead Wednesday in Tuscaloosa, Ala., a city of approximately 180,000 flattened by an estimated mile-wide tornado. He also stated "There are more out there to be confirmed because search and rescue is underway in a number the counties." Tuscaloosa is home to the University of Alabama. "We have way over 100 injuries throughout the city of Tuscaloosa," Mayor Maddox said. "We have hundreds of homes and businesses destroyed and hundreds more damaged.”

Alabama Emergency Management Agency information manager Yasamie August said, "The storm came in early this morning even before daybreak and a number of destruction and damage was done during that time. However, there are still storm systems moving through the county, as we speak.” The Alabama emergency official also reported Wednesday evening, "We don’t know the extent of the damage. We are opening shelters throughout the state to make sure folks who have nowhere to go tonight will have somewhere to go out of the weather.”

President Obama declared a state of emergency for the search and rescue response in Alabama, and Gov. Robert Bentley told WBMA he expected him to declare another one to help pay for the cleanup. President Obama also had this to say, "Michelle and I extend our deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives because of the tornadoes that have swept through Alabama and the southeastern United States," he said in a written statement. "Our hearts go out to all those who have been affected by this devastation, and we commend the heroic efforts of those who have been working tirelessly to respond to this disaster."