Aerial photos show destruction from deadly Alabama tornado that ripped off roofs and decimated homes

Aerial photos show destruction and debris from deadly Alabama tornado that ripped off roofs and decimated homes

  • Pictures show heaps of mangled metal and wooden debris littered across the Darlene Estates neighborhood in Fultondale
  • A boy, 14, who was sheltering in the basement of his family home was killed by the tornado, officials said
  • Several of his family members were critically injured when the home collapsed and trapped them in the basement
  •  At least 30 other people were injured as the tornado rampaged through the community

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Aerial photos show the destruction and debris from an Alabama tornado that ripped off roofs and destroyed homes while leaving one dead and 30 injured on Monday.

The shocking pictures show heaps of mangled metal and wooden debris littered across the Darlene Estates neighborhood in Fultondale – just north of Birmingham.

Officials said that a 14-year-old boy who was sheltering in his basement died when a tornado blew a tree onto the home and killed him, police said on Tuesday.

Several of his family members were critically injured when the home collapsed and trapped them in the basement.

 At least 30 other people were injured as the tornado rampaged through the community.

Aerial photos show the destruction from a deadly Alabama tornado that leveled homes on Monday

The tornado ripped through Fultondale, carving a path of destruction north of Birmingham

The tornado ripped through Fultondale, carving a path of destruction north of Birmingham

One aerial photo shows at least five homes with extensive roof damage

One aerial photo shows at least five homes with extensive roof damage

The teenager killed was in the ninth grade at Fultondale High School, according to Jefferson County Superintendent Dr. Walter Gonsoulin. 

The school was so heavily damaged that he doubts students can return to classrooms this year. He said they’re trying to determine how many students may be homeless now. 

Photos from the ground show distraught families trying to pick up their belongings and clean the debris as they try to move on from the devastation – and the economic loss while the world still reels from the coronavirus pandemic.

In one picture, Fultondale resident Patti Herring sobs as she stands in the remains of her kitchen and sorts debris from her home after the roof was ripped off.

Another shows James Scott, 19, pausing while picking through the remains of his home while standing in front of what used to be its walls. The teen, who survived with his mother and sister, has never lived anywhere else and isn’t sure where he will wind up after the storm.

Axel Ramirez, 14, spent hours this morning helping clean up debris at his friend’s home, he told Connor Sheets, a reported with The Birmingham News.

‘It hit their house, broke windows, damaged stuff, trees fell on it … His family’s at another family members’ house. I don’t know what they’re going to do,’ Ramirez said.

Another photo posted to Twitter by Sheets shows Bailey Black and her sister Taylor, who was at work when the tornado hit her home and cars, standing in the street as they survey the damage.

Black said she is thankful her kids weren’t home.

‘I can’t even describe what I’m feeling right now. It’s replaceable, it’s just material, but it sucks when you worked for something,’ she said

More photos show backhoes and other construction equipment digging and hauling debris away with clear blue skies – not a cloud in sight.