A tornado hits Birmingham , Alabama , in April . The communities in and around Columbia , Missouri , provide aid . Then the nation 's deadliest twister devastates Atlanta in May . Fields was amazed at the outpouring of support for Joplin , with donations arriving by the pickup load , leaving him in tears , he said . In a reversal of fortunes , Tuscaloosa provides aid to Atlanta .
A tornado hits Birmingham , Alabama , in April . The communities in and around Columbia , Missouri , provide aid . Then the nation 's deadliest twister devastates Atlanta in May . In a reversal of fortunes , Tuscaloosa provides aid to Atlanta .