Parts of the Southern U.S. have been ravaged by tornadoes and massive thunderstorms that destroyed homes and businesses and left communities reeling. Across Alabama, where the most devastation took place, people are surveying the damage and trying to pick up their lives. Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where the University of Alabama is located, was among the hardest hit areas. Near there, a massive tornado stayed on the ground for more than an hour, leaving a wake of destruction in its path. Alabama's governor called in the National Guard to help with the cleanup process, and President Obama will stop in Alabama today to survey the situation and speak to those affected by the storms. The tornado outbreak was the worst in nearly forty years, killing hundreds and leaving millions without power. The first five minutes of this video gives an overview of the storm; the rest is a discussion with the police chief of Birmingham, Ala. Quotes "I couldn't get up. I was having to move stuff off of me. And I got up. And this is what I woke up to." - Alabama woman "This is going to be a very, very long process. The amount of damage that is seen is beyond a nightmare. I don't know if I have ever seen in -- in my -- in my life, anything as destructive and as tragic as what has transpired in Tuscaloosa." - Mayor of Tuscaloosa, Ala. "We're going to get through this, because the people of Alabama are resilient. They care about each other. And we're going to get through this. And we're going to come out better on the other side." - Gov. Robert Bentley (R-Ala.) Warm Up Questions 1. What is a natural disaster? What kinds of natural disasters can occur in your area? 2. What sorts of damage can a tornado do? 3. How should people take shelter from tornadoes? Discussion Questions 1. If your home were destroyed by a natural disaster, do you think you would rebuild on the same spot or move away and start over? Why? 2. Do you think humans will ever completely be able to avoid the destruction that natural disasters can cause through innovation and engineering? Why or why not? 3. How does this natural disaster and the cleanup effort that’s taking place compare to efforts in Haiti after the earthquake there and efforts in Japan after its earthquake? Additional Resources Video Transcript Natural Disasters Are Fact of Life in Indonesia's 'Ring of Fire' Mental Health and Disasters: How Your Body Reacts During and After a Tragedy Download this Video