Southern Storms

In this image from WBMA-TV, a tornado touches down in Tuscaloosa, Ala. A wave of severe storms laced with tornadoes strafed the South on Wednesday, killing at least 178 people around the region and splintering buildings across swaths of an Alabama university town.

An semi-truck lies on its side on 15th Street after a tornado ripped through Tuscaloosa, Ala. Wednesday, April 27, 2011. A wave of severe storms laced with tornadoes strafed the South on Wednesday, killing at least 178 people around the region and splintering buildings across swaths of an Alabama university town.

Birmingham Rescue search from house to house looking for victims after a tornado hits Pratt City just north of downtown Birmingham on Wednesday, April 27, 2011, in Birmingham, Ala. A wave of storms with near hurricane-force winds pushed across Alabama on Wednesday, killing at least 128 people in that state, including a woman in a mobile home and sending snapped tree limbs onto cars and homes.

Residents survey the destruction after a tornado hit Pratt City, Ala. just north of downtown Birmingham, Ala. on Wednesday, April 27, 2011. A wave of severe storms laced with tornadoes strafed the South on Wednesday, killing at least 178 people around the region and splintering buildings across swaths of an Alabama university town.

A tornado moves through Tuscaloosa, Ala. Wednesday, April 27, 2011. A wave of severe storms laced with tornadoes strafed the South on Wednesday, killing at least 178 people around the region and splintering buildings across swaths of an Alabama university town.

Residents survey the destruction after a tornado hit Pratt City, Ala. just north of downtown Birmingham, Ala., on Wednesday, April 27, 2011. A wave of severe storms laced with tornadoes strafed the South on Wednesday, killing at least 178 people around the region and splintering buildings across swaths of an Alabama university town.

First responders carry an elderly woman away where they rescued her from the rubble of her home, after a tornado struck, Wednesday, April 27, 2011 in Phil Campbell, Ala.

A first responder holds onto a child that was found in the rubble of a destroyed home after a tornado struck Phil Campbell, Ala. Wednesday afternoon, April 27, 2011. A wave of severe storms laced with tornadoes strafed the South on Wednesday, killing at least 178 people around the region and splintering buildings across swaths of an Alabama university town.

Trees are sheared off as debris scatters Alabama 13 — Daniel Giles,AP Photo/TimesDaily

Trees are sheared off after a tornado struck Wednesday, April 27, 2011 in Phil Campbell, Ala.

Tamisha Cunninghamwhile looks over the damage — AP Photo/The Decatur Daily, Gary Cosby Jr.

Tamisha Cunningham, who suffered a leg injury when her home was destroyed, looks over the damage while waiting for medical care, near Athens, Ala., Wednesday, April 27, 2011. Homes in the area were completely destroyed following a tornado that cut a path through Lawrence, Morgan and Limestone Counties.

A large tornado sweeps through Limestone County, south of Athens, Ala., near Stewart Road, Wednesday afternoon, April 27, 2011.

Deputy Johnny Morell and Kirk Bowley escort John Wessinger from the remains of his home in the McCulley Mill Road area near Athens, Ala., following a large tornado that cut a path through Lawrence, Morgan and Limestone Counties Wednesday, April 27, 2011. Wessinger suffered an arm injury as well as cuts and scrapes.

commercial business building destroyed — Brennen Smith,AP Photo/Decatur Daily

A commercial business building in downtown Cullman, Ala. crumbles after a tornado touched down on Wednesday afternoon, April 27, 2011.

Willie Hyde holds his grand daughter 2-years-old Sierra Goldsmith near where their house stood in Concord Ala., after what appeared to be a tornado ripped through parts of the town late Wednesday, April 27, 2011. The damage in the area is extensive with homes and businesses destroyed and people injured.

AP Photo/Tuscaloosa News, Dusty Compton — A car lies overturns and buildings destroyed in Tuscaloosa

A car lies overturns and buildings destroyed in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Wednesday, April 27, 2011. A wave of severe storms laced with tornadoes strafed the South on Wednesday; buildings across swaths of the university town were damaged or destroyed.

Concrete steps lead to remains of a tornado demolished mobile home in Preston, Miss., Wednesday, April 27, 2011. The home and one next to it were blown about 100 feet away into a cow pasture. Three related women died at the site.