Tuscaloosa
 

My heart goes out to all of those who are experiencing the aftermath of yesterdays storms. I know many small communities were just devastated. Particularly hard hit is the area around University of Alabama. We know several students who are now homeless. I hope they continue to find people alive in the debris. Lots of prayers going your way.

Very sad...according to www.ua.edu, Alabama has cancelled classes, finals and postponed graduation. Very serious situation there.

I'm definitely sending all my prayers and thoughts to our panhellenic sisters and their friends and families.

loss
 

A Phi Mu from the University of Alabama's Alpha Zeta chapter lost her life in the tornado yesterday. Lots of apartments and houses rented by students were affected by this storm.

This is so tragic...she is the third women from this chapter who lost her life this school year.

As per facebook:

Call to action Gamma Phi sisters: Our alumna sister, Meredith Cummings, a professor at UA, has lost her home, car, and belongings in this tragedy in Tuscaloosa. It is time for us to rally together to meet her needs. The best way to help is to send a financial donation to: Meredith Cummings, 274 Heritage Drive, Springville, AL 35146. Please repost to spread the love through the years of our sisterhood.

All of the Tri Delta actives are accounted for, thank goodness, according to EO, At one point, it was said that 22 were were missing. My heart and prayers go out to the Phi Mu chapter at the loss of their sister. Such a horrible tragedy.

So sorry to read your post. I was just about to post if anyone had heard from any GLO. I have a call in to the SAE chapter house.

Best thoughts and wishes to all there as well as families and friends.

A HS friend teaches in Tuscaloosa and has been reported safe. Also, another friend's little sister is safe; she spent the night in one of the UA music buildings.

Kappa is urging all alumnae and active members needing assistance to contact the fraternity via the Rose McGill Fund.

Prayers for all in Tuscaloosa.

This makes me so sad.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42806723...fort_worth_tx/

Just read/saw this:
3D radar imagery of Tuscaloosa tornado yesterday
http://twitpic.com/4qkuko

Anyone who wishes to donate can do so through the Red Cross (by visiting the website or texting 90999, which will donate $10). And anyone in Alabama that can volunteer should check www.handsonbirmingham.com. You can sign up and then they will contact you when you're needed (and there is information on the site about volunteering in Tuscaloosa)...you can also donate blood no matter where you are.

There are also groups on facebook to help people find their lost family photos and such that were taken by the storm...items from Tuscaloosa have ended up as far away as Georgia.

Sorry to report this but I have been informed that one of our Gamma Phi Beta sisters from the Epsilon Lambda chapter there at the University of Alabama died in the tornado yesterday. She had just pledged in Fall 2010.:( Everyone is beyond sad.

My son will attend the University of Alabama in the fall. Unfortunately, the word I am receiving is their are multiple deaths in our greek family. Please pray for everyone in Tuscaloosa and their families.

:(. I bet there will be more as the rescue and then recovery efforts continue. I feel so badly for everyone that still doesn't know if their loved ones are ok or not.

ETA: The Crimson White is tweeting that 15 students are reported dead and one is reported missing.

College student lives through Tuscaloosa tornado
Cincinnati native and University of Alabama student Amanda Crowe has as story she'll never forget. She huddled in a basement as Wednesday's devastating tornado rolled right over her sorority house.
http://www.fox19.com/story/14537404/college

video report:
http://www.wxix.com/story/14537404/college

Rare Footage Indeed: Tornadoes, in Real Time
The deadliest tornado outbreak in decades unfolded live on local television stations Wednesday across much of the Deep South — and, remarkably, some of the tornado touchdowns were shown live, as well.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/29/us...er=rss&emc=rss

This girl is a Theta and is from the town I live in now. She is friends with my neighbor/sometimes babysitter. :eek: I'm glad she's ok, but so freaking scary!

Sigma Alpha Epsilon can report that none of our chapter houses were damaged, and none of our members were injured, in this week’s severe-weather outbreak.

The AOII house is fine at Alabama. Apparently some AOIIs went to Theta's house to stay safe in their basement. AOIIs who have been affected and need help can contact the AOII Foundation about our Ruby Fund. Prayers for everyone. Such a tragedy.

Greeks helping out: apparently DKE is collecting food that won't be needed this week (since most students are leaving campus for the semester early) in the sorority and fraternity houses and will be distributing it today.

ETA: AGD just tweeted that all members of the UA chapter are safe and accounted for.

My Daughter, Alpha Chi Omega, arrive home from UA last night after 9 hours on the road. It's normally a 5 hour drive. She was stranded in north Alabama for 2 hours waiting on gas delivery. It took an hour to get out of Tuscaloosa. The state has been hit hard all over. Please keep the students, residents, and relief workers ion your prayers. It's going to be a long time before T-Town recovers.

Is there any word about the AXO chapter? I know that the Gamma Phi alumnae have been excellent in keeping everyone up to date about relief efforts and what people can do to help. I know the national website had status updates after Katrina but nothing yet for this.

My cousin who lives there lost everything. :(

This made me cry.
Such a tragic loss.

The local high school principal just got back from Tuscaloosa, where he'd driven to pick up his daughter. Her house was pretty much destroyed but luckily, they were only hit (not badly) by flying glass. One of the house's walls fell on her car. I also know a DG alum (Titchou, you know who) whose car was smashed by a tree.

Have y'all heard of Toomer's for Tuscaloosa? It's an aid outreach by Auburn alums to help Tuscaloosa recover--they're doing some incredible stuff. This is in response to "Tide for Toomer's" that UA alums founded to raise money to try to save our poisoned trees on Toomer's Corner at Auburn.

Munchkin, There are no reports of missing, injured, or dead AXOs. One new member had a car parked at Tut that had a tree fall on it. That side of campus was close to the path of the tornado. My daughter went to the house for dinner after the tornado passed. Of course at that time they had know idea of the damage and deaths. She didn't even see the video of the tornado until last night.
Campus has been without power since Wednesday night, and the authorities are keeping the public away from the hardest hit areas.
We are returning to campus in the next few days to pack up the dorm room for the summer. I'm not looking forward to the trip. We had an F4 hit our town 5 years ago, and this is much worse.

The Crimson White confirms 8 student deaths. (The rumor is 15, but 7 remain uncomfirmed). http://cw.ua.edu/2011/04/29/eight-st...ths-confirmed/

~~ Both Ryan Smith and Grant Mills are University of Kentucky Sigma Chis.

YouTube video from UK News - University of Kentucky Students Work to Help Alabama Tornado Victims

UK students move to assist SEC family in Alabama
April 28, 2011 by News Staff
By Joy Priest
The Kentucky Kernel

After a huge tornado tore its way through Tuscaloosa, Ala., Wednesday, it turned the lives of people and students at the University of Alabama upside down, and UK students mobilized to assist.

“We’re just trying to help our fellow brothers and sisters down in Alabama and our SEC family,” SG President Ryan Smith said. “It’s just an unbelievably devastating event that’s happened down there, I just can’t imagine.”

An organization called Wrap Up America is leading the efforts in Lexington.

Smith, who is on the board for Wrap Up America, characterized it as an organization that collects blankets as donations to distribute to the homeless populations and underprivileged families across America. There are currently six cities with a Wrap Up America chapter.

“We got the news about Alabama last night and this morning,” Grant Mills, the Lexington visionary for Wrap Up America, said. “We thought there was surely a way that UK students … could help.”

Mills, who graduated from UK in 2009, said he saw a need and from there he began to work.

Today, Wrap Up America has spread the word on social media sites, worked with UK Public Relations and are hoping to tweet about it from UK men’s basketball coach John Calipari’s Twitter account.

“We have a partnership with a company in Louisville called Dorm Buys. Through them we’re able to donate blankets as low as $3,” Mills said. “There are a lot of people that are displaced and living in friends and families houses.”

To help, visit www.wrapupamerica.org and hit the link on the homepage. Mills said donations will be sent to the American Red Cross who will distribute them to those in need in Alabama.

“We want to offer assistance and help those in need, but also bring attention to the homelessness and the struggles that are going on in our backyard,” Smith said. “We want to help in any way we can and I know the UK community feels the same way.”

Wrap Up America is in the planning stages of hosting in event in Lexington during the fall.

All Alpha Phi's are safe and accounted for.

Gamma Phi Beta Sorority is saddened by the loss of a sister. Melanie “Nicole” Mixon, a 2010 initiate of Epsilon Lambda Chapter and junior at the University of Alabama, was a victim of the deadly storms that devastated Alabama last night. Condolence messages to Epsilon Lambda Chapter may be sent c/o:
Lauren Whitten, Gamma Phi Beta Sorority, P.O. Box 866269, Tuscaloosa, AL 35486.

Satellite images of Tuscaloosa, Ala., before and after the tornado

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationwo...6315.htmlstory

Satellite Images Show the Tornado Destruction - Interactive Feature - NYTimes.com
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2...ml#1-2-385-372

Why Were the Southern Tornadoes So Deadly?
http://www.source.ly/10ELX

The Tuscaloosa mayor was just on Anderson Copper 360 and reported 39 confirmed dead and 446 still missing in Tuscaloosa. They are bringing in cadaver dogs tomorrow. Please continue to pray for all those affected.

In a statement released today, Dr. Witt, UA's President, wrote, "Many of you have asked for additional ways you can help. Contributions to the UA Acts of Kindness Fund will be used to help UA students, faculty and staff who need assistance as a result of storm damage."

In addition to the UA Acts of Kindness Fund. Because so many are injured, one of the most critical needs is blood. It can be donated anywhere but designated for Tuscaloosa. Continued prayers are with the entire area hit by these storms but most especially Tuscaloosa.

Really? Then I'm off to the blood bank when they open today.


ETA: just did it, never let it be said that I wouldn't shed my blood for the SEC.

All KDs are safe.

Blood is always needed and is often not thought about when natural disasters occur. DONATE! Your donation can save up to three lives. It only takes an hour out of your day!

P.S. Carnation, you are a true fan.

AND! They give you free cookies! What's not to like?

And juice boxes! How often do you get to have juice boxes as an older kid?

Not today! They hurried everyone out the door at 1:00, obviously anxious to get on with their weekend since they were locking the doors as we were stepping out.

So no juice box or cookies, although we did get pretty blue and brown donor shirts.

From UA Greek Relief's twitter: "7,500 hot plates made, 300 volunteers, tens of thousands of $ in donated food, close to 2000 large cans of food, 5000 diapers, etc."

The DKE house is taking donations and volunteers...see UA_Greek_Relief on Twitter for more info.