Twister death toll 318; most since 1932 outbreak

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By MELISSA R. NELSON

The Associated Press

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Authorities say the death toll from the devastating tornado outbreak across the South has climbed to 318, making it the deadliest day for twisters since the Great Depression.

Loretta Williams looks over the remains of her mothers tornado ravaged home in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Friday, April 29, 2011. Her mother, two sons and a daughter survived the tornado by hiding in a closet. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

Elizabeth Williams points out where the tornado came from as she stands among the debris of her home in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Friday, April 29, 2011. Williams, two sons and a daughter survived the storm by hiding together in a closet. They watched the tornado approach, then split into two funnel clouds before diving into the house and closet. There neighbors home ended up on top of theirs, but they were quickly pulled to safety by others. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

President Barack Obama stands with Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, left, Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., and others, as they toured tornado damage in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Friday, April 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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Alabama was in the path of the most destruction from Wednesday's storms. Authorities on Friday raised the number of confirmed dead to 228. More than 30 lost their lives in Tuscaloosa, which is home to the University of Alabama. Two students are among the dead.

In March 1932, 332 people died, all in Alabama.

In April 1974, a series of twisters killed 315 people in 11 states.

The largest death toll ever in the U.S. from twisters was on March 18, 1925 when 747 people were killed in storms that raged through Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. In that outbreak, a single, 219-mile-long tornado killed 695 people.

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April 29, 2011 03:31 PM EDT