Tuscaloosa, AL Hospital Treats Over 600 Tornado Victims

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- A mesmerized crowd gathered at the 7th floor waiting-room window of a Tuscaloosa hospital to watch a huge tornado barrel toward them.

Chief nurse Patrice Jones says she was terrified, and rushed to get patients and visitors away from windows and into the hallways. She says people were screaming, crying, and praying.

Wednesday's twister turned away from DCH Regional Medical Center, but ravaged nearby neighborhoods. The hospital treated more than 600 patients, and about 100 had to be admitted.

Hundreds of doctors, nurses and other staffers treated patients lined up on chairs, wheelchairs and cots in the corridors. Nine patients brought to DCH died. The Alabama Emergency Management Agency says the state's death toll has risen to 162.

Dr. Jeremy Pepper says most people they treated had nothing left.

Comments

[MiddletownHal]

12:57 PM on 04/29/2011

Why has God brought his wrath on so many believers? I thought all the gays & feminists had left the south? They must not be praying hard enough to avoid tornadoes.

[Euphoria123]

02:44 PM on 04/29/2011

Tastless, cruel, judgmental, racist etc etc.

[rdk70816]

11:17 PM on 04/28/2011

A lot of good people have been terribly damaged. Many will have nothing left. When rescue efforts are done there will be about 300 people killed in Alabama, alone. Is this the wrath of God or the random confluence of the jet stream, cold fronts, warm fronts, and moisture from the gulf? I surely do not know but I do know that there are people out there who need help very badly.They are black and white and every other color of human skin. They are Democrat and Republican and Independent and Libertarian and non-political. The state and Federal government will be there to organize and to help. Localities are sending forces to help; the National guard will help. Citizens can help with their contributions to responding agencies; that is the best I can do but I wish it were more.

[Euphoria123]

11:49 AM on 04/29/2011

Well said, thank you.