Hi all. I am just checking in with you. Judd and I, as well as our families, are fine; however, so many in our state are not. As you have probably heard by now, powerful storms rolled across Alabama yesterday.
We are so fortunate to have been spared from the storm’s wrath. We did find debris in our backyard. We think it was from the city of Tuscaloosa. What we found was mostly housing insulation and chipped wood. The same system that swept through Tuscaloosa wreaking havoc also came through Birmingham. It was just a few miles north of where we live.
So many people in our state and throughout the southeast are hurting today. Please keep them in your prayers. The death toll continues to rise. It is horrific. The university where I work (UAB) is the only level I trauma center in the state. The UAB hospital took 134 patients during the night. As I sit here at my desk today I hear ambulance sirens every few minutes. We know so many who were affected. Please, please, please pray for the citizens of Alabama.
We are so thankful to our friends and family who continuously checked on us throughout the evening and who provided us with updated news. We love you and appreciate your thoughtfulness and concern.
I have attached a news article from NPR on the devastation here in Birmingham. Click here to read it.
Also attached is a video from CBS news of the devastation at first light this morning. Click here for the video.
Currently the death toll for the city of Tuscaloosa alone is 36 dead. 600 others were injured.
The death toll for the entire state is so much worse and continues to rise.
Click here to see a list of ways you can help the tornado victims.