The April 8, 1998 tornado outbreak in Alabama was a defining moment for ABC 33/40, which was less than two years old at the time. Quite frankly, it was a defining moment in my personal career.
We were the only station in the market that offered long form emergency weather coverage that horrible night; a night we won’t soon forget.
The parent thunderstorm was responsible an F3 tornado in Tuscaloosa County that caused serious damage from Coker to Lake Tuscaloosa. That tornado lifted, and then a second twister dropped near the Warrior River; one that would become an F5 monster that would kill 32 people in places like Oak Grove, Rock Creek, Sylvan Springs, McDonald Chapel, Edgewater, and Pratt City. That tornado stayed on the ground for 30 miles, lifting just before reaching U.S. 78.
One more tornado, an F2, touched down from that thunderstorm near Wattsville in St. Clair County, killing two more people.
Bill Castle’s video below captures sights and sounds from that horrible event ten years ago tonight. And, a reminder, we will air a one hour special on ABC 33/40 tonight from 6:30 until 7:30 p.m., followed by a live memorial service from Open Door Church, one of the many churches who lost their buildings that Wednesday night.
What are your memories of April 8, 1998? We look forward to hearing your thoughts and comments.
