Tech and Tweets Saving Lives as Tornadoes Wreak Havoc Again

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Tornadoes are wreaking havoc across the South again tonight, and according to TV station ABC 33/40, dozens of people have died so far. Social media and technology is helping to spread the word, perhaps saving many more lives. Watch the dramatic video above as a tornado slams into Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where you can easily sense the fear in the shallow breaths of the videographer.

After Tuscaloosa, Alabama was hit hard, now residents of the Birmingham and Anniston, Alabama area take cover. Take a look at this live Ustream video from Birmingham television station ABC 33/40, where meteorologists are broadcasting to thousands of online viewers. The weather personnel are using sophisticated radar tech to spot funnel clouds, warning residents to take cover.

As residents upload dozens of pictures and videos with their mobile devices, the Weather Channel’s Twitter feed for breaking news is busy tonight, re-tweeting images of the destruction.

Even though television stations often unnecessarily inform viewers of impending rainstorms, this is not one of those times. If you’re in Alabama and hanging out with your computer tonight, check out those Twitter feeds, turn on the TV/radio or watch that livestream linked above. Be safe.

Update: Here’s a tip from one of our Facebook friends:

“There’s a hashtag people can use to follow information- #[state abbreviation]wx. So, for Arkansas, it would be #ARwx, and for Georgia, it would be #GAwx. Spotters, reporters and emergency people are starting to use this more widely. Twitter is more useful than facebook in this regard.”

This is an unedited video of the horrible Tuscaloosa Tornado of 4/27/11

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