4 Tornadoes Touch Down In Md., Death Tolls Climb In South
BALTIMORE (WJZ)—The National Weather Service confirms four tornadoes touched down in Maryland this week. One of them was caught on tape in Prince George's County near Andrews Air Force Base. Another hit Carroll County. Weather officials also confirmed twisters in northwestern Baltimore County, and Saint Mary's County in Breton Bay.
At least 349 people are now confirmed dead from the massive tornado outbreak to our south.
Adam May reports volunteers are aggressively working to help the survivors.
The death toll is rising in Tuscaloosa, Ala., where the mayor said hundreds of people still haven't been found.
"We are now up to five cadaver teams that are scouring the city, going through the rubble, looking for those that are missing," said Walter Maddox, Mayor of Tuscaloosa.
It's a grim task across Alabama, the hardest hit of seven states pummeled this week by tornadoes. A total of at least 340 people died, making this the worst natural disaster in the United States since Hurricane Katrina.
"The number one priority has been for the last few days focusing on life safety," said Art Faulkner, Alabama Emergency Management director. "We've been doing search and rescue, and unfortunately that's turning mostly to search at this time."
University of Alabama football coach Nick Sabin tried to lift a few spirits, stopping by a Red Cross shelter where 240 people spent the night Friday.
"Well, we're taking it one day at a time, but I know we're gonna make it," said Dinah Clancy, storm survivor.
The Red Cross also is cooking for people who still have homes but lost electricity - and providing mental health counselors.
"These are my colleagues, my friends, my neighbors. This has been very, very hard on everyone here," said Suzanne Horsley, American Red Cross.
About 90 miles north of Tuscaloosa, at least 27 people died near the town of Hackleburg, where officials ran out of body bags and are storing bodies in refrigerated trucks.
"We're a very faith-oriented town and that means a lot," said Kenny Hallmark, Hackleburg police chief.
The police chief said people with homes were sheltering those who lost theirs, and survivors are clinging to their faith, which for many is all they have left.
On Sunday, five members of the Obama administration, including the Secretaries of Agriculture, Housing and Homeland Security, will visit Alabama and Mississippi.
