Tornado Slams Small Alabama Town

Rachel Osier Lindley | April 29, 2014

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The National Weather Service estimates about 58 tornados hit the South last night, and more severe weather is on the way. Up to 18 of the tornados were in Central Alabama, where they damaged buildings and knocked down trees and power lines. A tornado with wind speeds of up to 100 miles per hour hit Kimberly, a town of less than 3,000 people. Two of its most important buildings were damaged — one almost completely obliterated. WBHM’s Dan Carsen went there to assess the damage and hear about how residents were coping. Carsen took pictures and speaks with WBHM News Director Rachel Lindley:

Dan’s photos from the scenes are below.

Northbound traffic is stopped for obvious reasons on Highway 31 just south of Kimberly Tuesday morning. Eventually, crews diverted northbound traffic onto one lane of southbound 31.

Just one of countless branches into the truck.

Chainsaws were everywhere in the Kimberly area Tuesday morning.

Billy, Nancy, and little Cali Dial.

Not perfect, but standing.

Reasons to be careful were everywhere.

A closer shot of the detached church roof.

The Kimberly Post Office was open.

One of many examples of downed wires.

Dangerous intersection (at that moment, anyway).

What had been the Kimberly Volunteer Fire Department.

Much to do.

The sign gives you an idea of who they are, and of what people need.