The unmanned aerial system hobbiests at Southeastern Aerial and Sky View on Tuesday captured the damage done by a tornado that ripped through Bessemer, Ala. Monday night.
“The tornado was powerful enough to cause some pretty extensive damage,” Southeastern Aerial’s Stacy Cobb told Yellowhammer. “Fortunately most of the damage here took place on the Bessemer city golf course and left the majority of the apartments as well as the hospital without damage. I just really feel for those who suffered the loss of property at the apartment complexes here in Bessemer, and the families who lost loved ones in other parts of the state and around the southeast.”
At least 13 deaths were reported Monday across Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee, as storms ravaged the Southeast with tornadoes, high winds and flash flooding. The total death toll of the storm system currently sits at 34.
Two deaths were confirmed in northern Alabama, and a University of Alabama swimmer is being hailed a hero after he was killed trying to hold up a collapsing wall in his basement so others could escape. Other deaths have been reported around the state, but have not yet been confirmed.
Over 100,000 Alabamians were left without power in the storm’s wake.
Monday’s tornado outbreak comes almost three years to the day after over 250 Alabamians were killed by more than 60 tornadoes on April 27, 2011. More severe weather is expected to come Tuesday.
Photos taken from the aerial drone footage in Bessemer can be seen below.
Follow Cliff on Twitter @Cliff_Sims
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