What April 27th, 2011 Means To Me
From the moment I moved here to Tuscaloosa , I've been warned about the severe weather and how bad it can get. The conversation would always lead to the deadly tornadoes of April 27, 2011.
Before living in Tuscaloosa, all I worried about in Florida were hurricanes. I've made it through my share of deadly hurricanes and felt quite comfortable coming to Alabama and being able to make it through tornadoes. I've experienced a few tornado threats since living here and I can only imagine how it felt to go through the tragic tornadoes on April 27th, 2011. I've watched so many videos of news coverage and heard of tornadoes moving through well known parts of Tuscaloosa that I know to be so normal today. Areas like Downtown Tuscaloosa, Kauloosa, Stillman College, Snow Hinton Park and McFarland Blv all being mentioned on tv as a tornado blows through the city. This video of a newscast with James Spann was really breath-taking and made it even more real for me.
I see how the magnitude of what took place on April 27th, 2011 has shaken the city, but showed the strength and heart of this place. When the tornadoes came I wasn't here, but I have been here to see the support, love and pride of the Tuscaloosa community. I'm honored to be part of this community and my heart goes out to all those affected by this day in history. Use this day to remember how far the city has come since that tragic day. These are the times where we truly live the meaning of being #TuscaloosaStrong.
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