April 27, 2011...

I just want to share this account with whoever might be interested. My dear friend, Mike, a fellow storm chaser, along with Rick and JB, all members of the Southern Weather Brigade, were chasing storms on that fateful day April 27, 2011, when much of Alabama was devastated by an onslaught of tornadoes that left the state ravaged and hurting. The loss of life that day was historic and tragic. It was 8 months ago yesterday, and my friend Mike, who witnessed it firsthand and even prayed for the victims, as he watched helplessly, is just now finally able to share the details of that traumatic day... His story.

God bless all of those still coping with the devastation of those storms.

~Dewdrop

John Brown is live and headed for tornado warned cell in Tuscaloosa

On the phone with John Brown, who is heading out of Birmingham toward Tuscaloosa, where that cell is getting a pronounced comma look in the reflectivity image...Be safe, John!

4:05EST update:Alabama Mike is headed out soon.

~Dew

Severe weather ahead for the Southern States, Alabama Mike deployed

Well, I expect today to be a busy day. As it stands, I've got my typical Thursday workload stress. I have the police on their way over for me to make a formal report against the anonymous vandal(s) who destroyed my daughter's play area and threatened her safety, and Alabama Mike plans to go out into North Alabama to chase the slight risk up in his neck of the woods. Already, a tornado watch has been issued for Northwest Alabama, so let the games begin. Be careful, Alabama Mike! We discussed the dynamics of this storm at this point are generally more similar to that of a central plains event, rather than a squall, such as the area is used to seeing. Already 8:45 central time, there are reports of a tornado by law enforcement. He is currently going after a persistent cell that has a "confirmed tornado" 11 miles west of Red Bay, AL. The "confirmed tornado" occurred near Tupelo, MS. You can watch his live stream at this link. (Oops, his live stream is malfunctioning... power source issues). I am nowcasting with updates on the team blog. Here I have linked a photograph of damage from Tupelo, MS tornado on ABC 33/40 Weather Blog.

Yesterday was an interesting weather day, with Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming.... Wyoming??? Yes, Wyoming, generating 7 tornado reports, one of which being a landspout tornado, which is similar to a water spout, except on land. They are not generally associated with mesocyclones.
Update on the cyclone that devastated Myanmar. Unfortunately, that poor country is at the mercy of a less than humane militaristic regime that didn't see fit to warn the public about the oncoming storm with 18 foot storm surge that was headed directly for the country's most densely populated city, Yangon, with its population of 6.5 million people. This alone resulted in a direct death toll of 22,980 people, with 42,119 people still missing and unaccounted. To add insult to injury, the "isolationist regime" has only just today started allowing aid to enter the country. Thankfully, the "junta" has finally allowed aid. The fears are that without safe food and drinking water, that the death toll could climb to an unbelievable 100,000. The story is shocking to offer that understatement. You can read it here, and here is the video. God bless America. Let's pray for the citizens of that country and the leadership that God's grace will soften their hearts. Tragedy.

1047CDT Update: Alabama Mike is in Florence, AL awaiting a tornado warned cell embedded within a squall line heading through central MS. The velocity image shows a strong rotation in Guntown, MS. I wouldn't be surprised to hear a tornado report out of that area.


1440CDT Update: 5 tornadoes reported so far. Alabama Mike still out chasing with live stream going. Teh most significant damage reports are out of Tupelo, MS and Oakland, AL.Have a blessed day!
~Dewdrop