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re: 15 years ago today on April 27, 2011 a tornado went through Tuscaloosa
Posted on 4/27/26 at 8:06 pm to AHM21
Posted on 4/27/26 at 8:06 pm to AHM21
quote:
During the Tuscaloosa tornado, his sidekick meteorologist - Jason Simpson - had a better read and where the tornado was and where it was heading.
There’s a story behind that. As the tornado was moving into Tuscaloosa, the radar system that ABC 33/40 was using had an error. The pixels for the radar overlayed incorrectly on the map and showed the debris ball on radar to be further south than it was. Spann said he learned that day to always have two separate radar programs to look at.
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Posted on 4/27/26 at 8:13 pm to Ramblin Wreck
quote:
That James Spann documentary is well worth the 20 minute view. I now understand why he is so loved in Birmingham. He is not your typical pretty girl weather person reading a Weather Channel report during the local news. He is a very knowledgeable meteorologist. He says in the video he knows the names of all 252 people that died in Alabama and wanted to know why each of them died. Two key things he notes, most people injured believed they would hear a tornado siren, which you probably won’t. He also stated that medical professionals told him probably 50 of the 252 deaths could have been avoidable if they had been wearing something as simple as a bicycle helmet while sheltering. I now plan to buy some bicycle helmets to keep in my basement.
I have a signed copy of his book about 4/27, it's a pretty good read for anyone interested.
Another good book about the outbreak is What Stands In A Storm, by Kim Cross.
This post was edited on 4/27/26 at 8:36 pm
Posted on 4/27/26 at 8:52 pm to Roll Tide Ravens
Pretty sure Spann's house got some tornado damage several yrs ago from one that went up 119 to Double Oak Mtn.
Posted on 4/27/26 at 9:01 pm to Crimson Wraith
quote:
Pretty sure Spann's house got some tornado damage several yrs ago from one that went up 119 to Double Oak Mtn.
It did. Tornado hit the Eagle Point neighborhood while he was broadcasting. Same storm set off the sirens at my house.
Posted on 4/27/26 at 9:08 pm to Bigbens42
It was this tornado in fact. I was working in Northport that morning and outran it back up I59. About ten minutes after I got home to Trussville the polygon overlayed us and the sirens went off.
Posted on 4/27/26 at 9:16 pm to SidewalkTiger
quote:
I have a signed copy of his book about 4/27, it's a pretty good read for anyone interested. Another good book about the outbreak is What Stands In A Storm, by Kim Cross.
Both great books. Highly recommend.
Posted on 4/27/26 at 9:34 pm to BB Que
quote:
feel relevant
We can all hope to as relevant as yourself Richard.
Posted on 4/27/26 at 9:38 pm to Bigbens42
Some interesting info on James Spann’s views per Wikipedia.
“In January 2007, Spann gained notoriety as a climate change denier. He asserts that climate change is naturally caused, as part of the climate's cyclical nature.”
Funny how they use the term “climate change denier” like it is blasphemy. And from the same article, “Spann was countering a statement made by Heidi Cullen, a staff meteorologist with The Weather Channel, who had written that those who disagreed with the view that global warming was caused by man-made events should not be given the Seal of Approval by the American Meteorological Society.” In other words, disagree with me and your Seal of Approval should be removed. LOL
“In January 2007, Spann gained notoriety as a climate change denier. He asserts that climate change is naturally caused, as part of the climate's cyclical nature.”
Funny how they use the term “climate change denier” like it is blasphemy. And from the same article, “Spann was countering a statement made by Heidi Cullen, a staff meteorologist with The Weather Channel, who had written that those who disagreed with the view that global warming was caused by man-made events should not be given the Seal of Approval by the American Meteorological Society.” In other words, disagree with me and your Seal of Approval should be removed. LOL
Posted on 4/27/26 at 9:39 pm to Ramblin Wreck
I lived in an apt on Hackberry Lane right at the turn where it becomes Hargrove Rd next to the Forest Lake neighborhood. As it approached, my soon to be wife and I felt the pressure drop and heard the "freight train". I gathered her and my 2 pups into the center of the apt. It was so loud I couldn't think. I just grabbed all 3 and held them is tight as I could. The windows were being sucked out of our apt. Huge trees were snapping all around us. I knew we were experiencing our last moments of life. I just wanted us to all be together if I could help it. Then the pressure started to even out, the sound lessened, and the wind eerily stopped. I walked out of my apt and saw the backside of that monstrosity. Trees were down everywhere. My neighbors apts were demolished. I went to check on everyone and the people that were home all escaped without serious injury. The neighborhood behind me was completely flattened. If the path would have been 50 yards north, I would not be here typing this.
Later, I got on my bicycle and rode through all the areas in the path. The things I saw I will never forget. In the days after, I saw buses full of students from all over the SEC here to help. That one experience is the reason I love this conference and really have no hate for any of it's members.
Later, I got on my bicycle and rode through all the areas in the path. The things I saw I will never forget. In the days after, I saw buses full of students from all over the SEC here to help. That one experience is the reason I love this conference and really have no hate for any of it's members.
Posted on 4/27/26 at 9:42 pm to Ramblin Wreck
quote:
Some interesting info on James Spann’s views per Wikipedia. “In January 2007, Spann gained notoriety as a climate change denier. He asserts that climate change is naturally caused, as part of the climate's cyclical nature.” Funny how they use the term “climate change denier” like it is blasphemy. And from the same article, “Spann was countering a statement made by Heidi Cullen, a staff meteorologist with The Weather Channel, who had written that those who disagreed with the view that global warming was caused by man-made events should not be given the Seal of Approval by the American Meteorological Society.” In other words, disagree with me and your Seal of Approval should be removed. LOL
I don’t agree with his views on climate change but he’s not a research meteorologist or climatologist and I don’t really care. He’s a good broadcast meteorologist. Good enough for me
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