Infrastructure lessons learned from April 27, 2011 tornado outbreak

Jessica Camuto
·2 min read

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Saturday, April 27 will mark thirteen years since the once-in-a-generation tornado outbreak impacted the Southeast.

In Alabama, 62 tornadoes moved through the state producing catastrophic damage for some communities.

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A total of 92 tornado warnings were issued during the 2011 tornado event. Across North Alabama, 39 tornadoes led to significant damage to many communities. Several high-ranked tornadoes tracked through, four EF4s and three EF5s.

Following the tornado outbreak, there was a dire need to restore power, especially critical services.

Madison County Emergency Management Agency Director Jeff Birdwell was a Deputy Chief at the Madison City Fire Rescue. During the outbreak, his crew monitored the storms and assisted with recovery efforts.

The widespread power outages made it difficult for the public to receive critical information. Generators were used to power the EMA center.

Community leaders and emergency personnel would meet at the command post each morning for a daily briefing. Following that briefing, they’d address the media and public on the power restoration process.

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“The only way they had ways of getting information was that morning briefing on their car radio,” EMA Director Jeff Birdwell said. “You kind of had to be a little creative in how you’re gonna deliver that message when things like that happen.”

Hospitals, sewer systems, and water distribution centers were the top priority to restore power. Following the critical services, residents slowly saw power restored.

“Some got power on sooner than others, but the range was typically three to ten days,” says Birdwell.

The April 27, 2011 tornado outbreak was a once-in-generation event, but lessons were learned from it.

Birdwell says, that while they hope an event never happens again, they are prepared to handle the preparations and recovery efforts.

“It’s kinda already in the plans, to where you don’t even really have to think about it and that you know that these are the certain areas that you need to take care of first. To meet those basic human needs that people have to have,” Birdwell said.

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