Pratt City's Resilience: A Tornado's Aftermath

0:00It's April 27. This is Birmingham News today, powered by AI. I'm Corey with the story. 15 years ago, on April 27, 2011, more than 60 tornadoes slammed Alabama, claiming over 250 lives. Pratt City and Jefferson County took one of the worst hits, with homes flattened and key buildings like the library and fire station completely destroyed. The destruction racked up hundreds of millions in damages and wiped out dozens of businesses. One resident lost her life there, and in her memory, folks built a gazebo right in the heart of the devastation path. Right away, everyday people turned into heroes, digging through rubble, aiding the injured, and hauling away debris for days on end. The mayor recalls arriving to chaos, then joining hands in prayer with a stranger, which seemed to summon fire chiefs, police, and even calls from the governor's office's help poured in. Rebuilding took years, fueled by federal funds that delivered new senior housing, sturdy

1:01tornado shelters, and fire station 18, now standing, tall as a beacon of comeback strength. That shared grit and Pratt City proves how pulling together lets any spot not just survive a nightmare like that, but straight up thrive.