'Better Days Tuscaloosa' - Looking Back on April 27th, 2011

Today is April 27th. For us, a date we will never forget. The mere mention of the date to anyone around Tuscaloosa will vividly bring back memories, like it was just last week. Instead, it is 3 years ago today life permanently changed for everyone who calls Tuscaloosa home.

The days leading up to the storm there was a growing concern about the forecasted atmosphere conditions which would be ideal for tornado development. There was a heightened concern from the National Weather Service office in Birmingham and our very own meteorologist James Spann.

On April 27th, as is normally the case, what is happening in Mississippi gives us an indication of what to expect in West Alabama. It was so much more on this date. A monstrous EF-4 multi-vortex tornado did form and it quickly destroyed everything in its path for almost 81 miles. Homes were instantly destroyed and too many of our neighbors instantly lost everything. Their lives instantly changed. As challenging as it was to have to start over, just talk to survivors and they were happy to be that, survivors. Stuff can be replaced, but, life cannot be replaced. We lost far too many neighbors from that day.

We pause today to remember those victims of the April 27th tornado.

We pause today to give thanks to all of our brave first responders. We pause today to give thanks to utility crews near and far who worked around the clock to help restore electricity as quickly as possible. We pause today to give thanks to the tremendous generosity of neighbors helping neighbors. We pause to think what the future holds for us. Take a look around town, the devastated areas are coming back. The restaurants and stores we love are coming back. Homes are being rebuilt. We can't return to the way it was April 26th, but, being positive and pushing for better days is the strength we need.

Two years ago when gathering caller audio, we contemplated what would be the perfect song as a tribute for Tuscaloosa? A way to honor and pay respect, to spotlight the caring spirit which followed and to help us all be positive and push for better days. Then it hit, Goo Goo Dolls 'Better Days.' We remixed the song and added audio clips which define the moment.

We pause today to remember, April 27, 2011. God Bless.