Storms Obliterate Southern Communities

The death toll from severe storms that obliterated large swaths of land across the South was rising across southern states April 28, 2011. The fierce storms spawned tornadoes that wiped out homes and businesses and forced a nuclear power plant to use backup generators. CLICK ON ANY PHOTO TO VIEW FULL IMAGE, START SLIDE SHOW.

Enlarge Faye Hyde, right, sits on a mattress in what was her yard Wednesday as she comforts her granddaughter Sierra Goldsmith,... ASSOCIATED PRESS

Enlarge Emergency responders search for injured and missing people Wednesday near Warrior River Road and Master's Drive in Concord, Ala.... AP/BIRMINGHAM NEWS

Enlarge An emergency responder combs through the wreckage of a destroyed home after a tornado touched down Wednesday in Smithville, Miss.... ASSOCIATED PRESS

Enlarge An injured man is carried away after a tornado touched down Wednesday in Birmingham, Ala. AP/BIRMINGHAM NEWS

Enlarge A large tornado sweeps through Limestone County, south of Athens, Ala., near Stewart Road on Wednesday afternoon. ASSOCIATED PRESS

Enlarge Extensive damage is seen Wednesday after a tornado ripped through parts of Concord, Ala. ASSOCIATED PRESS

Enlarge A group of emergency volunteers move a body recovered among the devastation in Smithville, Miss., after a tornado destroyed much ... AP/NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI DAILY JOURNAL

Enlarge A commercial business building in downtown Cullman, Ala., crumbles after a tornado touched down Wednesday afternoon. AP/DECATUR DAILY

Enlarge Lightning streaks above Cornith Baptist Church in Athens, Ga., as a line of severe thunderstorms sweep across Georgia in the ... ASSOCIATED PRESS

Enlarge Michael Dunn is hugged by his mother, Patricia Dunn, as they stand in the road that lead to his house,... AP/BIRMINGHAM NEWS

Enlarge Rescue workers search a hillside Wednesday after what a tornado ripped devastated parts of Concord, Ala. AP/BIRMINGHAM NEWS

Enlarge Tamisha Cunningham, who suffered a leg injury when her home was destroyed, looks over the tornado damage near Athens, Ala.... ASSOCIATED RPESS

Enlarge Residents remove their possessions from the remains of their tornado damaged home near Bond, Miss., on Wednesday. ASSOCIATED PRESS

Enlarge People stand outside the Saint Mary Primitive Baptist Church that was totally destroyed when a tornado hit Pratt Cit,y ... ASSOCIATED PRESS

Enlarge An injured person is removed from the Masters Drive area of Concord, Ala., after a tornado ripped through parts of ... ASSOCIATED PRESS

Enlarge John Segars' Heating and Air was destroyed in Concord, Ala., in the storm. AP/BIRMINGHAM NEWS

Enlarge Willie Hyde holds 2-year-old granddaughter Sierra Goldsmith near where their house stood in Concord Ala., after a tornado ... AP/BIRMINGHAM NEWS

Enlarge Rescue workers tend to an injured person in Concord, Ala., on Wednesday. AP/BIRMINGHAM NEWS

Enlarge Concord Fire and Rescue personnel run toward a large downed tree that was blocking Warrior River Road in Concord, Ala.... AP/BIRMINGHAM NEWS

Enlarge The remains of Hill's Carpet Center in Concord Ala., are seen after a tornado ripped through parts of the town late Wednesday AP/BIRMINGHAM NEWS

Enlarge A car lies overturned and buildings destroyed in Tuscaloosa, Ala., after a wave of severe storms laced with tornadoes strafed ... AP/TUSCALOOSA NEWS

Enlarge An Alabama National Guard vehicle patrols the streets in downtown Cullman, Ala., after a tornado touched down Wednesday afternoon.... AP/DECATUR DAILY

Enlarge Chase Spradlin, right, comforts Judy Cook after a tornado destroyed her Concord, Ala., home Wednesday. AP/BIRMINGHAM NEWS

Enlarge Concrete steps lead to an empty space where a mobile home had sat in Preston, Miss., on Wednesday. The home ... ASSOCIATED RPESS