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NOAA has released some before & after photographs of neighborhoods struck by last week’s Tuscaloosa-to-Birmingham F4 tornado, which claimed at least 65 lives and injured roughly 1,000 people.
NOAA releases aerial imagery of Tuscaloosa, Ala. tornado damage
April 30, 2011
Before and after imagery depicting tornado damage in the vicinity of the intersection of 15th St. E. and McFarland Blvd. E. in southeast Tuscaloosa, AL. The before imagery is courtesy of Google, the after imagery was acquired from an altitude of 5,000 feet above ground level by the NOAA King Air April 29, 2011.
Hi-Res images available online.
Download PDF here. (Credit: Google - before photo; NOAA - after photo)
NOAA's National Geodetic Survey dispatched the NOAA King Air 350CER aircraft, equipped with specialized remote sensing equipment, on a mission to collect aerial photography at 5,000 feet from Tuscaloosa to Birmingham, Ala.
These "before and after" shots (pdf to right), taken yesterday afternoon, show damage caused by last week's tornado near 15th Street and McFarland Boulevard in Tuscaloosa.
Photos will be used to assist federal and local officials in response and recovery efforts.
Hi-Res images available online.
For more information, contact: John Ewald, john.ewald@noaa.gov, 240-429-6127.
NOAA's mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Visit us on Facebook.
These photos not only show the destructive power of these storms, they serve as a stark reminder of why having a family emergency plan (FEP) is so vital.
Loved ones are apt to become separated (they may be sent to different hospitals or shelters) in the chaos and confusion following a disaster like this. Some may be injured and unable to provide information about their families.
So it is important to set up a plan, including meeting places and out-of-state contacts, and individual wallet information cards - before you need it.
To that end READY.GOV has some advice, and tools, to help you do just that.
Family Emergency Plan
- Identify an out-of town contact. It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.
- Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has a cell phone, coins, or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact. If you have a cell phone, program that person(s) as "ICE" (In Case of Emergency) in your phone. If you are in an accident, emergency personnel will often check your ICE listings in order to get a hold of someone you know. Make sure to tell your family and friends that you’ve listed them as emergency contacts.
- Teach family members how to use text messaging (also knows as SMS or Short Message Service). Text messages can often get around network disruptions when a phone call might not be able to get through.
- Subscribe to alert services. Many communities now have systems that will send instant text alerts or e-mails to let you know about bad weather, road closings, local emergencies, etc. Sign up by visiting your local Office of Emergency Management web site.
You’ll find some handy toolkits, and an online planning tool, available as well.
NEW Online Family
Emergency Planning Tools
Try the Online Family Emergency Plan (FEP) Tool
No Time for Online Forms?
Download the Family Emergency Plan (FEP) PDF pages, print and fill them in Offline.
Download All FEP Pages 3 Mb
Download the MS Excel FEP 400 Kb
Today, while the sun is shining, is an excellent day to complete your family emergency plan.
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