Last Modified: Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 3:30 p.m.
A large, violent tornado has come through Tuscaloosa. It was reported to be a mile wide, and came from the southwest.
Mayor Walt Maddox has now confirmed 32 fatalities and at least 600 injured, Jason Morton is reporting. The mayor has also said Gov. Robert Bentley has pledged the full resources of the state, including use of Alabama National Guard.
Various reports from around the city indicate there is massive damage to 15th Street and McFarland Boulevard. Sports writer Aaron Suttles reports via Twitter that the CVS at 15th Street and MacFarland has been destroyed, among many other businesses and apartment buildings.
Other reports state complete devastation along 15h Street heading to MacFarland.
Alabama Power reported at 8 p.m. there are 375,000 Alabama residents without power. As of 6 p.m. in the city of Tuscaloosa, 50,295 customers are without power. In the western division of Alabama Power as of 8 p.m., there are 146,000 customers without power. This comes from spokesman Freddy Padilla.
Damage has also been reported to DCH Medical Center and the University Mall. Staff writer Wayne Grayson is reporting via Twitter that the Central High School football field was hit. The roof of the press box was ripped up along with bleachers.
Stay with The Tuscaloosa News as we continue to provide updates on the damage and further severe weather conditions.
The confirmed tornado that hit in Pickens County hit Coker at 4:50 p.m. and Samantha around 5 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.
Tuscaloosa and the surrounding areas continue to remain under a series of weather warnings and watches.
