Story Of Survival On Corridor X

Thanks to Valerie Green for sharing this amazing story. We must work with auto manufacturers to get the Weather Radio alarm system in automobiles. Those of you watching our long form coverage on ABC 33/40 heard us say that nobody should be on U.S. 78/Corridor X at 10:00… but we can’t reach people while they are driving, unless they are listening to one of our affiliate stations that simulcast our audio during tornado warnings.

Read Valerie’s story… and below see images of the family car that was flipped, and the tornado warning for that storm, which was issued at 10:01 p.m.

“Hello James,

I just wanted to share my family’s story from the Cordova/Parrish tornado on April 24th.

Yesterday evening, my family and I were heading towards Birmingham after being away for a week visiting other family members in Kansas. My mother (in KS) and my father in law (in AL) were monitoring the weather and told us that we would see heavy rain, but the severe weather had shifted east and we would be ok. They have never been more wrong.

Shortly after 10 pm, driving on the future I-22 corridor, we experienced heavy rain and hail. We then went through a period of quiet – no rain, no wind, nothing – then what seemed like a white sheet came down in front of the car. My husband looked over at me and said “Val, I think we are in something”. We could not see anything in front of our car, except white, and a few pieces of what looked like trash that floated from one side of the car to the other. At that point, the driver’s side window shattered – with a bang. The wind was blowing fiercely, and debris was coming in (leaves and sticks). My husband put the car in park, and let go of the steering wheel, knowing he no longer had control of the car. We were spun around several times, and turned over at least once (that we can remember). We came to rest – upright – what we think is a couple of hundred yards down from our last known location.

My husband was driving, and my two small children (ages 6 & 4) were in the back seat. We were all wearing our seat belts, and my children were in booster seats. I am so thankful to God to say that our injuries were minor – my husband hit his head and has a small laceration, my son (6) and I have some bumps, bruises and sore muscles. My daughter (4) suffered no injuries. Not only are our physical injuries minor, but my children managed to sleep through the entire event (I had to wake them up when we finally settled), so they have not suffered from the flashbacks of the terrifying event.

We are a very weather conscientious family (we have a weather radio that I faithfully listen to at home), and had made several calls to our family members that were watching coverage and checking the radar. We were listening to a local radio station and knew there was a tornado watch in the entire area. The radio station was still playing music when our car came to a stop. At 10:14 p.m., we were making our 911 call for help, so I believe the warning came too late for us anyway.

With all that said, we are safe, and that is the only thing that matters in the end. I am so grateful to God for holding us in his hands during this, and the Cordova volunteer fire department that stayed with us until we were picked up by family, and helped my children (and us!) stay calm. Thank you for the work you and your team do every day in helping everyone to stay aware and safe.

Attached are two pictures of our Ford Escape that I took before the wrecker towed it.

Sincerely,
Brandon & Valerie Green
Alabaster, AL”

WFUS54 KBMX 250301
TORBMX
ALC127-250330-
/O.NEW.KBMX.TO.W.0025.100425T0301Z-100425T0330Z/

BULLETIN – EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
1001 PM CDT SAT APR 24 2010

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR…
CENTRAL WALKER COUNTY IN CENTRAL ALABAMA…
THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF…SUMITON…DORA…CORDOVA…

* UNTIL 1030 PM CDT

* AT 956 PM CDT…THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DETECTED A SEVERE
THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR OAKMAN…MOVING
EAST AT 50 MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR…
CORDOVA AND BELOIT BY 1010 PM CDT…
ROCKY HOLLOW…LYNNS PARK…SIPSEY AND DORA BY 1015 PM CDT…
SUMITON BY 1020 PM CDT…

THIS INCLUDES…
US 78 EXIT NUMBERS 61 THROUGH 78

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 200 AM CDT SUNDAY MORNING FOR
ALABAMA.

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