Remembering April 27: Eight Images for Eight Years

A sunrise over Gorgas Library on The University of Alabama campus..

As we reflect on the eighth anniversary of the April 27, 2011 tornado, we compiled eight images to demonstrate our dedication to remembering the victims and continuing to grow out of the tragedy.

Denny Chimes rings in remembrance at 5:13 p.m. every April 27. It will sound 53 times in honor of those who died in Tuscaloosa County, including six UA students and one UA employee who had taken shelter off campus.

Photo of dogs with their owners in the Magnolia Deck BARA.

UA has three dedicated storm shelters: North Campus Storm Shelter, East Campus Storm Shelter and the Magnolia Parking Deck Best Available Refuge Area, or BARA. The Magnolia Deck BARA accepts pets with their owners.

Photo of brick wall splattered with debris.

An innovative University of Alabama lab is designed to study storm shelter designs. This research will, most importantly, help save lives and also develop cost-effective ways to incorporate shelters within individual homes.

The City of Tuscaloosa invested federal disaster recovery funds to build the EDGE Incubator and Accelerator, a partnership with The University of Alabama, the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce and the City of Tuscaloosa.

A photo of Terry Saban handing over keys to a homeowner.

Nick and Terry Saban, with their Nick’s Kids Foundation, pledged to build a Habitat for Humanity home in the tornado recovery area for every national title Alabama wins. To date, they’ve built 17 homes.

The Paul W. Bryant Museum recently returned a signed Alabama football that former UA offensive tackle Wesley Britt lost during the tornado. It had traveled 10 miles before it was found and put on display as part of a memorial exhibit.

The Crimson Promenade in the center of campus holds a special tribute to the six UA students who died on April 27, 2011 as a result of the devastating tornado.

a group photo of UA volunteers after the tornado that struck JSU.

The Tuscaloosa community was overwhelmed with support from all over the country after April 27, 2011. UA students, faculty and staff continue to pay it forward by volunteering in other communities that have suffered from natural disasters. UA facilities and grounds personnel assisted with debris cleanup after the Jacksonville State University campus was struck by a tornado in March 2018.

We Will Always Remember. We Will Continue to Grow.