At least 4 dead after massive tornados touch down in Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL, damaging a local hospital and causing at least one fatality. The tornado continued on the ground as it made its way toward downtown Birmingham, AL.
This is at least the second tornado in 12 days to touch down in Tuscaloosa.
Druid City Hospital is still able to treat patients, according to a statement posted on its website. More information about the hospital would be made available later.
A spokeswoman for Tuscaloosa Mayor Walter Maddox, Heather McCollum, said the mayor planned to personally survey the destruction.
"We are still in damage assessment mode right now," McCollum said.
According to the news website al.com, two people are trapped in homes and businesses.
Other unconfirmed reports indicated that University Mall in Tuscaloosa also suffered extensive damage. The tornado narrowly missed the University of Alabama campus, passing near Bryant Denny Stadium.
Cameras caught a massive tornado tracking through town.
At the hospital, windows were blown out of several rooms and a waiting area.
"It was kind of a glancing blow," said Brad Fischer, communications director at DCH. "We're on emergency power. It took the main line that comes from the grid into the hospital, so we will be on emergency power for awhile."
Fischer said the hospital was starting to receive the injured, but he couldn't comment on the extent of the injuries yet.
Classes were canceled at the University of Alabama, which is located in the heart of Tuscaloosa. The university student newspaper, The Crimson White, reported power outages across campus.
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