Alabama Tornado Damage

     I know everyone is saddened at the loss of life and property from yesterday's tornado damage.  I knew from watching the video of that hugh monster rolling through Tuscaloosa that the results would be terrible.  Several Birmingham television stations had remote cameras that were able to get excellent views as it approached both Tuscaloosa and Birmingham.  In Tuscaloosa, it was so strange watching it live.  It wasn't raining there so it was a surreal image, as if it had outran the rain.  And run it did, all the way north of Birmingham, never letting up on it's reign of terror.  An aerial view of it's path is here.  The Weather Channel also has several good video's as well.
     The death toll stands at over 200 with more than 600 injured.   Brown's Ferry Nuclear plant(TVA) is offline, so most of the northern part of the state is without power.  Over 300,000 are without power in the Birmingham area, which is served by Alabama Power.  I have heard estimates of power restoration in the neighborhood of three weeks in some areas and I'm sure it will be even longer for some of our AT&T customers in the hardest hit places.
     Rescue efforts are ongoing and kudos to Fox6 news for their all day news coverage!  It was also impressive seeing the Alabama Southern Baptist Association's Disaster Relief Team already on the ground in several cities.  Rick Lance stated on the news tonight that they can feed 60,000 per day!  That is awesome but it requires financial help from those of us who can.  If you wish to donate to either the Red Cross or the Southern Baptist team that would be a great help!
     Events such as this should serve as a reminder that life is short and material possessions are not important.  What is important is to be in a good relationship with your Lord and to always be ready when He calls you home!  Earth is only temporary and heaven is forever!  Please pray for those who are hurting. 
    
   Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4