Before and after: The photos that show the utter devastation caused by the worst tornadoes to hit the South in 40 years - 30th Apr 2011

As residents across the South pick themselves up after the worst system of tornadoes for 40 years, amazing stories of survival and bravery are emerging.

And images from Tuscaloosa in Alabama – one of the worst affected areas, show how a once picturesque county has been reduced to a disaster zone in a matter of minutes.

The Wood Lawn area of Tuscaloosa County has been one of the worst affected, with at least three dead including one child aged around five.

Resident said three bodies had been pulled out of the wreckage of a house which was 'totally flattened'. Read More