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Our Daily Planet: Alabama Tornado Videos and More Tornado Watches Today

Each weekday morning, OurAmazingPlanet takes the pulse of the Earth, reporting on natural phenomena and exploration news from around the globe.

Tuscaloosa Tornado: A gigantic tornado ripped apart Tuscaloosa, Ala., last night. A spectacular video shows debris flying from the funnel cloud. Another video shows a tornado roaring through downtown Tuscaloosa. A video of the damage is staggering. [Related: The Tornado Damage Scale in Images ]

Birmingham Tornado: A rain-wrapped tornado blasted Birmingham, Ala., last night.

Tornado Death Toll: At least 173 people died during last nights storms, according to the latest reports.

Tornado Watches Today: The severe weather isn't done yet, and the East Coast is bracing for strong storms today.

Previously on Our Daily Planet: Arkansas Tornado Video and Poplar Bluff Flooding

Reach OurAmazingPlanet staff writer Brett Israel at bisrael@techmedianetwork.com. Follow him on Twitter @btisrael.

Brett Israel was a staff writer for Live Science with a focus on environmental issues. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from The University of Georgia, a master’s degree in journalism from New York University, and has studied doctorate-level biochemistry at Emory University.