April 27, 2011: The Sunshine Express: The Roll 'Bama Roll community rallies to aid Tuscaloosa

It only took 10 minutes to turn the heart of Tuscaloosa, Ala. into a wasteland. Twisted. Unrecognizable. Destroyed.

The mile-wide F-4 tornado that roared through the city on the afternoon of April 27 boasted wind speeds exceeding 190 m.p.h., according to the National Weather Service. At least 65 people perished in its 80-mile-long path of destruction with more than 40 in Tuscaloosa alone. Hundreds were injured and the suddenly homeless were estimated in the thousands.

This story was originally published in Crimson Tide Kickoff 2011, the Alabama football season preview magazine produced by the staff of Roll 'Bama Roll and published by Maple Street Press.