I ate better that week than I ever have in my life.

My house is in Phil Campbell. I was working out of town 4/27. Probably a good thing because I would have wanted to watch it. Just the kids were home. 18,17 and 15. Weather man said "If you are in Phil Campbell take shelter now!' Youngest had to get a drink outta the fridge. They got in the shelter and then the door was ripped off. The door was on the north side so they got to see the wind tear the trees and barn down. We were lucky. Our house was only a couple of years old. Not one shingle was ripped off. But debris was driven through the roof. Broke some rafters and the southwest corner of the house. I had a car totaled from debris hitting it. 3 foot diameter oaks broke off at the ground. 2 outbuildings gone with the wind. Our insurance wrote us a check for $80,000 for the damage and loss. We were the fortunate ones. All the houses across the highway from us were blown away.

I had been working for Tuscaloosa Dept of transportation for 11 years when it hit. Streets, businesses,homes etc were so destroyed on 15th Street I couldn't tell where I was. No landmarks to go by. We worked for weeks every day for 12 hours or more each day trying to get traffic signals working,streets cleared etc. It was a sobering moment and made all of us realize how quickly things can change and what is really important. But it brought out hope in humanity. There were hundreds of volunteers bring food,water etc for the workers so they/we didn't have to stop what we were doing. They came from all parts of the state and even other states. I was especially touched when two boys that couldn't have been much older than 12-14 years old we're pulling a little red wagon loaded with cold water handing it out to us. I will never forget the outpouring of support.

Over by Shoal Creek (St. Clair County) area we had one come through. Picked up a tractor and tossed it 1/4 mile down the road. Somebody's barn roof was in my back pasture all fully intact. Never was able to find out who's it was. Prayers to all who was impacted by that storm.

Over by Shoal Creek (St. Clair County) area we had one come through. Picked up a tractor and tossed it 1/4 mile down the road. Somebody's barn roof was in my back pasture all fully intact. Never was able to find out who's it was. Prayers to all who was impacted by that storm.