As we approach the fifth anniversary of April 27, 2011, we look back at that day and towards our future with our special video series, "Five Years Later."


April 27, 2011.

5:13 p.m.

In less than six minutes, Tuscaloosa changed forever. 52 lives were lost. 12% of the city was destroyed. Over 7,000 people became unemployed after losing their businesses or jobs. 1,257 homes were destroyed and over 4,000 others were damaged.

One Tuscaloosan who experienced the loss of his home on April 27 was WVUA Chief Meteorologist Richard Scott.

We spoke with Richard Scott about his experience on that day, and he shared his memories with us in video above.

Alabamians experienced a tornado outbreak on April 27, 2011; there were 62 tornadoes in Alabama that day--29 in Central Alabama alone.

As a meteorologist, Richard Scott was faced with an unimaginable task that day--not only did he have to cover a generational severe weather event, he had to do so knowing he was in harm's way.

Scott told us that when the April 27 tornado approached Tuscaloosa, it initially appeared to be heading straight for the University of Alabama campus--and the WVUA studios. He had to provide live coverage of the tornado knowing he was, at that moment, in its path. The course of the tornado shifted, and as a result, the new home he'd purchased just months ago was destroyed.

Scott also shared his feelings about the recovery in Tuscaloosa and the remarkable way the community came together in its darkest hour, and also stressed the importance of listening to weather watches and warnings and severe weather preparedness.

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