Thanks for all the DU love re: the Tuscaloosa/Alabama/Southern tornadoes!

[Syrinx]

Hissyspit was on top of the situation before I was even aware of the impending doom.

I was without electricity from about five a.m. on Wednesday, until about seven p.m. Friday night, so I missed out on reading in real-time the fine DU coverage and concern of the event.

But I've gone back and read a lot of it. (If you ever want to read "archival" threads from DU's homepage, I think the easiest way is to click on page "2," then experiment with replacing the "2" in the URL at the top of your browser.)

I live in the Tuscaloosa area, though slightly outside the city limits. That means I can't vote for mayor, but if I could I would vote for Walt Maddox any day.

I was worried about some friends in the Holt neighborhood, because damage was said to be pretty high there. I couldn't get a hold of them on the phone. Their land-line is with Comcast. The Comcast system told me that their voice mail was full and to please hang up. I thought it was very odd that when I hesitated to hang up for about two seconds, the automated voice said to me "You're still there? GOOD BYE!" That's just weird, isn't it?

I tried to drive out there to check on my friends, the state troopers wouldn't let me into that area of town, and they made me turn around. I didn't like that at the time, but in retrospect, it makes a lot more sense than the Comcast thing. They don't need a lot of traffic clogging up the roads when the rescue vehicles are trying to perform their important work.

I have since heard from the friends in question, and they are all okay, though they had a really close call. The monster tornado literally missed their homes by a few feet. They had some roof damage. That's a good thing, considering the situation.

Only a few identities of the fatalities have been made public so far, and they are predominantly students. Mostly from the University Of Alabama, but also from Stillman College, an historically black college.

I haven't personally witnessed the brunt of the destruction yet, only because the authorities won't let outsiders venture into the hardest-hit areas.

I wanted to go see President Obama Friday morning, but that wasn't feasible, even though he was just up the road a few miles. And a few feet from the friends I mentioned.

President Obama visited Holt Elementary School. That's the school that I attended when it was known as Boteler Junior High.

Personally, I'm pretty much unscathed by the storm. But our community is devastated.

Brian Williams came to town, and my electricity came on just in time for me to see his special program Friday night. That was the closest view that I've gotten yet of what happened. And it was scary and riveting.

And Tuscaloosa isn't alone. It isn't just Tuscaloosa. Also the Birmingham suburb of Pleasant Grove. And the tiny towns of Smithville, MS and Phil Campbell, AL, and numerous other little communities.

It's some scary stuff. All over.

Most twisters are much smaller than this one was. And they usually hop and skip and jump around.

But this one was a half-mile to a mile wide and stayed on the ground for well over a hundred miles. It was a freak of nature.

BTW, I found out late today that the folks that restored my electricity were from the Pike Electric company, based out of Mt. Airy, North Carolina. I want to say thanks to them. And I can only hope they say hello to Andy Griffith for me.

Thanks for the love.

Tuscaloosa is injured, but we'll get better. :)

[malaise]

1. Glad you're recovering

:grouphug:

[Syrinx]

2. thank you malaise

Hugging right back!

[Jawja]

3. Thinking about Alabama from Georgia....

:hi:

[Syrinx]

4. You should get points for your name alone

"Jawja."

:rofl:

Ya'll got hit pretty hard too. Speak up if you need anything.

[rosesaylavee]

5. So glad you are ok!

[Generic Other]

6. Welcome back! Sending your town positive vibes!!

Let us know how we can all help.