Remembering the April 27th Tornado Outbreak, Four Years Later

On this 4th anniversary of the deadly 4/27 tornado outbreak across Tuscaloosa and Alabama, I'd like to share thoughts and a special tribute song.

As we pause to think back, each of us have vivid memories which pop into our minds. Oh those images of destruction and despair racing through my mind. Also, an incredible bonding experience with neighbors helping neighbors in the recovery. We came together as one community.

I think back to the afternoon of April 27th working at our studios on Skyland Boulevard, there was great concern over the potential for severe storms like we haven't seen before. Our weather typically comes in from Mississippi, and on this day that was bad news. Tornadoes were already touching down in our neighboring state building a track record of destruction, these storms were headed our way. Sure enough, Tornado Warnings began to be issued by the National Weather Service in Birmingham. We have since merged our broadcast with James Spann's TV coverage.

It wouldn't be long until Tuscaloosa County, the cities of Northport and Tuscaloosa were issued a Tornado Warning. The tracking had a significant tornado headed up Skyland Boulevard. Hearing that was one of the most terrifying moments of my life. A sinking feeling with my stomach in knots. The storm would change its direction, still close enough where we could hear a massive roar. A roar you don't hear with a typical thunderstorm. This was different.

We would go through a series of technical issues and even outright loose power, phone, cable TV and internet service from the storm. What an empty feeling of despair, we're hear to deliver information and our sources had been wiped out. Except for one, I was able to bring up James Spann's storm coverage on my cell phone. I held it up the microphone, so together we could continue to get information, at least for a little longer.

The storm had passed and we knew it was bad, but we really didn't know it was that bad. I clearly remember the first time getting close to the devastation going to a volunteer area in front of Hardee's on 15th Street. I looked across the street in complete shock and disbelief. It was the beginning of digging in to help others and seeing mile after mile of complete destruction. It was awful, and so very heartbreaking. People had their lives turned upside from this act of nature. Even worse, good people lost their lives from this act of nature.

I also look back to the AMAZING rally of the community to help others. Together we built a special lifelong bond. We attempted to capture the very essence of this period in history with our tribute song called, 'Better Days Tuscaloosa.' The Goo Goo Dolls song 'Better Days' with a sample of audio clips featuring reactions from listeners in the days that followed.

On this 4th anniversary of the April 27th tornadoes, I would like to share this tribute song with you as we pause to reflect together.